Is private school cheaper in Jacksonville or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $11,500/year in Jacksonville. That's $4,200/year less, or $54,600 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Tuscaloosa over Jacksonville?

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $4,200/year less than Jacksonville. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $54,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,600/year in Jacksonville, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

How do Jacksonville and Tuscaloosa private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Jacksonville averages $11,500/year ($850 below average). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Jacksonville vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $4,200/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $54,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $11,500/year in Jacksonville. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Jacksonville

$11,500

avg tuition/year

$850 below national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Jacksonville	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,500/yr	$7,300/yr	+$4,200
Religious Schools	$7,600/yr	$5,400/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$21,500/yr	$14,800/yr	+$6,700
Elementary (K-5)	$9,400/yr	$6,200/yr	+$3,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,500/yr	$7,300/yr	+$4,200
High School (9-12)	$14,200/yr	$8,800/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Jacksonville

$149,500

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $54,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $109,200.

Sample Schools

Jacksonville

Bolles School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,400-$26,800/yr

Episcopal School of Jacksonville

Independent · PK–12 · $21,800-$23,400/yr

Bishop Kenny High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $14,400/yr

Ponte Vedra High School (Public)

Public (Reference) · 9–12

Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $8,800-$11,200/yr

Christian Academy of Tuscaloosa

Christian · K–12 · $8,200-$10,400/yr

Full Jacksonville breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

Florida private school costs Alabama private school costs

Related Comparisons

Jacksonville vs Miami →

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.