Is private school cheaper in Seattle or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. That's $17,200/year less, or $223,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $17,200/year less than Seattle. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $223,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $13,200/year in Seattle, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Seattle averages $24,500/year ($12,150 above average). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Seattle vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $17,200/year less for private school (236% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $223,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $24,500/year in Seattle. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Seattle

$24,500

avg tuition/year

$12,150 above national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Seattle	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$24,500/yr	$7,300/yr	+$17,200
Religious Schools	$13,200/yr	$5,400/yr	+$7,800
Independent/Prep	$38,000/yr	$14,800/yr	+$23,200
Elementary (K-5)	$20,000/yr	$6,200/yr	+$13,800
Middle School (6-8)	$24,500/yr	$7,300/yr	+$17,200
High School (9-12)	$30,500/yr	$8,800/yr	+$21,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Seattle

$318,500

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $223,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $447,200.

Sample Schools

Seattle

University Prep

Independent · 6–12 · $42,800/yr

Northwest School

Independent · 6–12 · $39,400/yr

Seattle Prep

Catholic · 9–12 · $21,200/yr

O'Dea High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,800/yr

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 Seattle breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

Washington private school costs Alabama private school costs

Related Comparisons

Seattle vs Portland → Seattle vs Denver →

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.