Private School Cost: Erie vs Houston
Erie averages $3,900/year less for private school (33% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $50,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $15,800/year in Houston. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.
Erie
PA
$11,900
avg tuition/year
Houston
TX
$15,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Erie | Houston | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,900/yr | $15,800/yr | -$3,900 |
| Religious Schools | $7,700/yr | $9,200/yr | -$1,500 |
| Independent/Prep | $27,700/yr | $28,000/yr | -$300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,100/yr | $13,000/yr | -$2,900 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,900/yr | $15,800/yr | -$3,900 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,300/yr | $19,500/yr | -$5,200 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Erie
$154,700
Houston
$205,400
Choosing Erie saves $50,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $101,400.
Sample Schools
Erie
Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr
Mercyhurst Preparatory School
Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr
Houston
St. John's School (Houston)
Independent · K–12 · $33,900-$36,200/yr
Kinkaid School
Independent · PK–12 · $34,500-$37,000/yr
Strake Jesuit College Preparatory
Catholic · 9–12 · $20,400/yr
Duchesne Academy of the Sacred Heart
Catholic · K–12 · $20,100/yr
Related Comparisons
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.