Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Sandy Springs?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. That's $5,700/year less, or $74,100 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Birmingham over Sandy Springs?

Average tuition in Birmingham is $5,700/year less than Sandy Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $74,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $9,200/year in Sandy Springs.

How do Birmingham and Sandy Springs private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Birmingham averages $7,600/year ($4,750 below average). Sandy Springs averages $13,300/year ($950 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Sandy Springs

Birmingham averages $5,700/year less for private school (75% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $74,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $13,300/year in Sandy Springs. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Sandy Springs

$13,300

avg tuition/year

$950 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Sandy Springs	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,700
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$9,200/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$26,900/yr	-$11,400
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$11,300/yr	-$4,800
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$13,300/yr	-$5,700
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$16,000/yr	-$6,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Sandy Springs

$172,900

Choosing Birmingham saves $74,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $148,200.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Sandy Springs

The Westminster Schools

Independent · PK–12 · $38,400/yr

Holy Innocents' Episcopal School

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $30,200/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Sandy Springs breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Georgia private school costs

About This Comparison

This comparison uses NCES Private School Universe Survey data, adjusted for metro-level cost-of-living differences. "Average tuition" blends religious schools (Catholic, Christian) and independent day/prep schools. Religious schools typically cost 60-70% less than independent schools in the same city.

Grade-level estimates (elementary, middle, high) are derived from the city average using national grade-level multipliers. High school tuition typically runs 15-25% above the city average; elementary runs 10-20% below.