Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Sparks
Birmingham averages $3,600/year less for private school (47% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.
Bottom Line
Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $11,200/year in Sparks. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.
Birmingham
AL
$7,600
avg tuition/year
Sparks
NV
$11,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Birmingham | Sparks | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $7,600/yr | $11,200/yr | -$3,600 |
| Religious Schools | $5,700/yr | $7,800/yr | -$2,100 |
| Independent/Prep | $15,500/yr | $22,500/yr | -$7,000 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $6,500/yr | $9,500/yr | -$3,000 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $7,600/yr | $11,200/yr | -$3,600 |
| High School (9-12) | $9,100/yr | $13,400/yr | -$4,300 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Birmingham
$98,800
Sparks
$145,600
Choosing Birmingham saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.
Sample Schools
Birmingham
Mountain Brook Academy
Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr
Indian Springs School
Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr
Sparks
Coral Academy of Science (Sparks)
Independent · K–12 · $7,400-$9,200/yr
St. Albert School (Sparks)
Catholic · K–8 · $8,200-$10,200/yr
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.