Is private school cheaper in Colorado Springs or Erie?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $1,200/year less than Colorado Springs. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $8,500/year in Colorado Springs, $7,700/year in Erie.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Colorado Springs averages $13,100/year ($750 above average). Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average).

Private School Cost: Colorado Springs vs Erie

Erie averages $1,200/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $13,100/year in Colorado Springs. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Colorado Springs

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Colorado Springs	Erie	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$13,100/yr	$11,900/yr	+$1,200
Religious Schools	$8,500/yr	$7,700/yr	+$800
Independent/Prep	$25,700/yr	$27,700/yr	-$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$11,100/yr	$10,100/yr	+$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$13,100/yr	$11,900/yr	+$1,200
High School (9-12)	$15,700/yr	$14,300/yr	+$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Colorado Springs

$170,300

Erie

$154,700

Choosing Erie saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Colorado Springs

Colorado Springs Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $11,200-$14,400/yr

Cheyenne Mountain School District 12 (Private Prep)

Independent · K–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 Colorado Springs breakdown → Full Erie breakdown →

Colorado 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.