Is private school cheaper in Erie or Fort Wayne?

Fort Wayne has lower average private school tuition at $7,900/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $4,000/year less, or $52,000 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Fort Wayne is $4,000/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $52,000 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $5,800/year in Fort Wayne.

How do Erie and Fort Wayne 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). Fort Wayne averages $7,900/year ($4,450 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Fort Wayne

Fort Wayne averages $4,000/year less for private school (51% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $52,000 per child.

Bottom Line

Fort Wayne is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,900/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $5,800/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Fort Wayne

$7,900

avg tuition/year

$4,450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Fort Wayne	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$7,900/yr	+$4,000
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$5,800/yr	+$1,900
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$16,500/yr	+$11,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$6,700/yr	+$3,400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$7,900/yr	+$4,000
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$9,500/yr	+$4,800

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Fort Wayne

$102,700

Choosing Fort Wayne saves $52,000 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $104,000.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Fort Wayne

Bishop Luers High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $9,800/yr

Canterbury School (Fort Wayne)

Independent · PK–12 · $20,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Fort Wayne breakdown →

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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.