Is private school cheaper in Birmingham or Washington DC?

Birmingham has lower average private school tuition at $7,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. That's $20,800/year less, or $270,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Birmingham is $20,800/year less than Washington DC. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $270,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $5,700/year in Birmingham, $15,200/year in Washington DC.

How do Birmingham and Washington DC 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). Washington DC averages $28,400/year ($16,050 above average).

Private School Cost: Birmingham vs Washington DC

Birmingham averages $20,800/year less for private school (274% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $270,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Birmingham is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,600/year vs $28,400/year in Washington DC. Religious schools run $5,700/year on the low end.

Birmingham

$7,600

avg tuition/year

$4,750 below national avg

Lower cost

Washington DC

$28,400

avg tuition/year

$16,050 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Birmingham	Washington DC	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$7,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,800
Religious Schools	$5,700/yr	$15,200/yr	-$9,500
Independent/Prep	$15,500/yr	$46,000/yr	-$30,500
Elementary (K-5)	$6,500/yr	$23,000/yr	-$16,500
Middle School (6-8)	$7,600/yr	$28,400/yr	-$20,800
High School (9-12)	$9,100/yr	$35,500/yr	-$26,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Birmingham

$98,800

Washington DC

$369,200

Choosing Birmingham saves $270,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $540,800.

Sample Schools

Birmingham

Mountain Brook Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,400/yr

Indian Springs School

Independent · 8–12 · $24,800/yr

Washington DC

Sidwell Friends School

Independent (Quaker) · PK–12 · $52,900/yr

Georgetown Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $51,400/yr

National Cathedral School

Independent · 4–12 · $50,200/yr

Gonzaga College High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $25,400/yr

Full Birmingham breakdown → Full Washington DC breakdown →

Alabama private school costs District of Columbia private school costs

Related Comparisons

Washington DC vs Atlanta →

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.