Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Tulsa?

Tulsa has lower average private school tuition at $7,000/year vs $7,600/year in Birmingham. That's $600/year less, or $7,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tulsa is $600/year less than Birmingham. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $7,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $5,100/year in Tulsa.

How do Birmingham and Tulsa 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). Tulsa averages $7,000/year ($5,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Tulsa

Tulsa averages $600/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $7,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Tulsa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,000/year vs $7,600/year in Birmingham. Religious schools run $5,100/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Tulsa

$7,000

avg tuition/year

$5,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Tulsa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$600
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$5,100/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$14,500/yr	+$1,000
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$6,000/yr	+$500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$7,000/yr	+$600
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$8,400/yr	+$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Tulsa

$91,000

Choosing Tulsa saves $7,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $15,600.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Tulsa

Holland Hall (Tulsa)

Independent (Episcopal) · PK–12 · $21,400/yr

Bishop Kelley High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Tulsa breakdown →

Alabama private school costs Oklahoma 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.