Private School Cost: Erie vs Kansas City
Erie averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.
Bottom Line
Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $12,800/year in Kansas City. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.
Erie
PA
$11,900
avg tuition/year
Kansas City
MO
$12,800
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Erie | Kansas City | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,900/yr | $12,800/yr | -$900 |
| Religious Schools | $7,700/yr | $8,200/yr | -$500 |
| Independent/Prep | $27,700/yr | $24,000/yr | +$3,700 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,100/yr | $10,400/yr | -$300 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,900/yr | $12,800/yr | -$900 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,300/yr | $15,800/yr | -$1,500 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Erie
$154,700
Kansas City
$166,400
Choosing Erie saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.
Sample Schools
Erie
Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr
Mercyhurst Preparatory School
Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr
Kansas City
Pembroke Hill School
Independent · PK–12 · $24,800-$26,400/yr
Rockhurst High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr
Bishop Miege High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $14,200/yr
St. Teresa's Academy (KC)
Catholic · 9–12 · $13,800/yr
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.