Is private school cheaper in Erie or Fayetteville?

Fayetteville has lower average private school tuition at $9,000/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $2,900/year less, or $37,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fayetteville is $2,900/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $37,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $6,300/year in Fayetteville.

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

The national average private school tuition is $12,350/year. Erie averages $11,900/year ($450 below average). Fayetteville averages $9,000/year ($3,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Fayetteville

Fayetteville averages $2,900/year less for private school (32% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $37,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Fayetteville is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,000/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Fayetteville

$9,000

avg tuition/year

$3,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Fayetteville	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$9,000/yr	+$2,900
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$6,300/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$18,900/yr	+$8,800
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$7,700/yr	+$2,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$9,000/yr	+$2,900
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$10,800/yr	+$3,500

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Fayetteville

$117,000

Choosing Fayetteville saves $37,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $75,400.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Fayetteville

Cape Fear Academy (Wilmington)

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Fayetteville Christian School

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Fayetteville breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs North Carolina 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.