Is private school cheaper in Austin or Erie?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. That's $3,600/year less, or $46,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $3,600/year less than Austin. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $46,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $9,400/year in Austin, $7,700/year in Erie.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Austin averages $15,500/year ($3,150 above average). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Austin vs Erie

Erie averages $3,600/year less for private school (30% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $46,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $15,500/year in Austin. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Austin

$15,500

avg tuition/year

$3,150 above national avg

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Austin	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$15,500/yr	$11,900/yr	+$3,600
Religious Schools	$9,400/yr	$7,700/yr	+$1,700
Independent/Prep	$28,200/yr	$27,700/yr	+$500
Elementary (K-5)	$12,800/yr	$10,100/yr	+$2,700
Middle School (6-8)	$15,500/yr	$11,900/yr	+$3,600
High School (9-12)	$19,200/yr	$14,300/yr	+$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Austin

$201,500

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Erie saves $46,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $93,600.

Sample Schools

Austin

St. Andrew's Episcopal School (Austin)

Independent · PK–12 · $32,800-$35,400/yr

Austin Preparatory School

Catholic · 6–12 · $14,200/yr

St. Michael's Catholic Academy

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

Hyde Park Baptist School

Christian · PK–12 · $13,400-$15,200/yr

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Austin breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

Texas private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Houston vs Austin → Dallas vs Austin → Austin vs San Antonio → Austin vs Raleigh →

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.