Is private school cheaper in Charlotte or Erie?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. That's $1,600/year less, or $20,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $1,600/year less than Charlotte. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $20,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,400/year in Charlotte, $7,700/year in Erie.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Charlotte averages $13,500/year ($1,150 above average). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Charlotte vs Erie

Erie averages $1,600/year less for private school (13% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $20,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $13,500/year in Charlotte. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Charlotte

$13,500

avg tuition/year

$1,150 above national avg

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Charlotte	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,500/yr	$11,900/yr	+$1,600
Religious Schools	$8,400/yr	$7,700/yr	+$700
Independent/Prep	$25,000/yr	$27,700/yr	-$2,700
Elementary (K-5)	$11,000/yr	$10,100/yr	+$900
Middle School (6-8)	$13,500/yr	$11,900/yr	+$1,600
High School (9-12)	$16,700/yr	$14,300/yr	+$2,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Charlotte

$175,500

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Erie saves $20,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $41,600.

Sample Schools

Charlotte

Charlotte Latin School

Independent · K–12 · $26,800-$29,200/yr

Providence Day School

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

Myers Park Traditional School

Magnet (Free) · K–12

Charlotte Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Charlotte breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

North Carolina private school costs Pennsylvania private school costs

Related Comparisons

Atlanta vs Charlotte → Raleigh vs Charlotte →

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.