Is private school cheaper in Burlington or Erie?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. That's $6,300/year less, or $81,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $6,300/year less than Burlington. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $81,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $11,000/year in Burlington, $7,700/year in Erie.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Burlington averages $18,200/year ($5,850 above average). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Burlington vs Erie

Erie averages $6,300/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $81,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $18,200/year in Burlington. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Burlington

$18,200

avg tuition/year

$5,850 above national avg

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Burlington	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$18,200/yr	$11,900/yr	+$6,300
Religious Schools	$11,000/yr	$7,700/yr	+$3,300
Independent/Prep	$39,800/yr	$27,700/yr	+$12,100
Elementary (K-5)	$15,500/yr	$10,100/yr	+$5,400
Middle School (6-8)	$18,200/yr	$11,900/yr	+$6,300
High School (9-12)	$21,800/yr	$14,300/yr	+$7,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Burlington

$236,600

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Erie saves $81,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $163,800.

Sample Schools

Burlington

Rice Memorial High School (Burlington VT)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Champlain Valley Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Burlington breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

Vermont 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.