Is private school cheaper in Erie or Lowell?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. That's $11,700/year less, or $152,100 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $11,700/year less than Lowell. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $152,100 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $12,800/year in Lowell.

How do Erie and Lowell 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). Lowell averages $23,600/year ($11,250 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Lowell

Erie averages $11,700/year less for private school (98% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $152,100 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $23,600/year in Lowell. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Lowell

$23,600

avg tuition/year

$11,250 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Lowell	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$23,600/yr	-$11,700
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$12,800/yr	-$5,100
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$48,100/yr	-$20,400
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$20,100/yr	-$10,000
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$23,600/yr	-$11,700
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$28,300/yr	-$14,000

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Lowell

$306,800

Choosing Erie saves $152,100 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $304,200.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Lowell

Lowell Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Michael Academy (Lowell)

Catholic · K–8 · $10,800-$12,800/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Lowell breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Massachusetts 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.