Is private school cheaper in Alexandria or Erie?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. That's $6,900/year less, or $89,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $6,900/year less than Alexandria. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $89,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $12,900/year in Alexandria, $7,700/year in Erie.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Alexandria averages $18,800/year ($6,450 above average). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Alexandria vs Erie

Erie averages $6,900/year less for private school (58% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $89,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $18,800/year in Alexandria. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Alexandria

$18,800

avg tuition/year

$6,450 above national avg

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Alexandria	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,800/yr	$11,900/yr	+$6,900
Religious Schools	$12,900/yr	$7,700/yr	+$5,200
Independent/Prep	$37,600/yr	$27,700/yr	+$9,900
Elementary (K-5)	$16,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$5,900
Middle School (6-8)	$18,800/yr	$11,900/yr	+$6,900
High School (9-12)	$22,600/yr	$14,300/yr	+$8,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Alexandria

$244,400

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Erie saves $89,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $179,400.

Sample Schools

Alexandria

Episcopal High School (Alexandria VA)

Independent (Episcopal) · 9–12 · $65,800/yr

Bishop Ireton High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Alexandria breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

Virginia 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.