Is private school cheaper in Erie or Frederick?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. That's $4,800/year less, or $62,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $4,800/year less than Frederick. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $62,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $11,300/year in Frederick.

How do Erie and Frederick 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). Frederick averages $16,700/year ($4,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Frederick

Erie averages $4,800/year less for private school (40% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $62,400 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $16,700/year in Frederick. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Frederick

$16,700

avg tuition/year

$4,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Frederick	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$16,700/yr	-$4,800
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$11,300/yr	-$3,600
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$35,100/yr	-$7,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$14,200/yr	-$4,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$16,700/yr	-$4,800
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$20,000/yr	-$5,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Frederick

$217,100

Choosing Erie saves $62,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $124,800.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Frederick

Frederick Classical Charter School (Private Prep)

Independent · K–12 · $11,200/yr

Visitation Academy (Frederick MD)

Catholic · PK–8 · $12,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Frederick breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Maryland 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.