Is private school cheaper in Albany or Erie?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. That's $7,800/year less, or $101,400 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Erie over Albany?

Average tuition in Erie is $7,800/year less than Albany. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $101,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,300/year in Albany, $7,700/year in Erie.

How do Albany and Erie private school costs compare to the national average?

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Albany averages $19,700/year ($7,350 above average). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Albany vs Erie

Erie averages $7,800/year less for private school (66% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $101,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $19,700/year in Albany. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Albany

$19,700

avg tuition/year

$7,350 above national avg

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Albany	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$19,700/yr	$11,900/yr	+$7,800
Religious Schools	$11,300/yr	$7,700/yr	+$3,600
Independent/Prep	$41,900/yr	$27,700/yr	+$14,200
Elementary (K-5)	$16,700/yr	$10,100/yr	+$6,600
Middle School (6-8)	$19,700/yr	$11,900/yr	+$7,800
High School (9-12)	$23,600/yr	$14,300/yr	+$9,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Albany

$256,100

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Erie saves $101,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $202,800.

Sample Schools

Albany

Albany Academy (NY)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Vincentian Institute

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Albany breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

New York private school costs Pennsylvania 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.