Is private school cheaper in Sunnyvale or Tuscaloosa?

Tuscaloosa has lower average private school tuition at $7,300/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. That's $14,300/year less, or $185,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Tuscaloosa is $14,300/year less than Sunnyvale. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $185,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $14,100/year in Sunnyvale, $5,400/year in Tuscaloosa.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Sunnyvale averages $21,600/year ($9,250 above average). Tuscaloosa averages $7,300/year ($5,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Sunnyvale vs Tuscaloosa

Tuscaloosa averages $14,300/year less for private school (196% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $185,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Tuscaloosa is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,300/year vs $21,600/year in Sunnyvale. Religious schools run $5,400/year on the low end.

Sunnyvale

$21,600

avg tuition/year

$9,250 above national avg

Tuscaloosa

$7,300

avg tuition/year

$5,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Sunnyvale	Tuscaloosa	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$21,600/yr	$7,300/yr	+$14,300
Religious Schools	$14,100/yr	$5,400/yr	+$8,700
Independent/Prep	$42,100/yr	$14,800/yr	+$27,300
Elementary (K-5)	$18,400/yr	$6,200/yr	+$12,200
Middle School (6-8)	$21,600/yr	$7,300/yr	+$14,300
High School (9-12)	$25,900/yr	$8,800/yr	+$17,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Sunnyvale

$280,800

Tuscaloosa

$94,900

Choosing Tuscaloosa saves $185,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $371,800.

Sample Schools

Sunnyvale

Archbishop Mitty High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $26,800/yr

Stratford School (Sunnyvale)

Independent · PK–8 · $24,200-$27,600/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 Sunnyvale breakdown → Full Tuscaloosa breakdown →

California private school costs Alabama 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.