Is private school cheaper in Erie or Honolulu?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. That's $8,300/year less, or $107,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $8,300/year less than Honolulu. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $107,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $12,900/year in Honolulu.

How do Erie and Honolulu 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). Honolulu averages $20,200/year ($7,850 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Honolulu

Erie averages $8,300/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $20,200/year in Honolulu. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Honolulu

$20,200

avg tuition/year

$7,850 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Honolulu	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,300
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$12,900/yr	-$5,200
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$37,600/yr	-$9,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$17,200/yr	-$7,100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$20,200/yr	-$8,300
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$24,200/yr	-$9,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Honolulu

$262,600

Choosing Erie saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Honolulu

Punahou School

Independent · K–12 · $27,400/yr

Iolani School

Independent (Episcopal) · K–12 · $24,800/yr

Saint Louis School (Honolulu)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Honolulu 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.