Is private school cheaper in Erie or Madison?

Madison has lower average private school tuition at $9,300/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $2,600/year less, or $33,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Madison is $2,600/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $33,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $6,300/year in Madison.

How do Erie and Madison 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). Madison averages $9,300/year ($3,050 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Madison

Madison averages $2,600/year less for private school (28% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Madison is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $9,300/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $6,300/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Madison

$9,300

avg tuition/year

$3,050 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Madison	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,600
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$6,300/yr	+$1,400
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$21,100/yr	+$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$7,900/yr	+$2,200
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$9,300/yr	+$2,600
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$11,200/yr	+$3,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Madison

$120,900

Choosing Madison saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Madison

Edgewood Campus School

Catholic · PK–8 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

Edgewood High School of the Sacred Heart

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,200/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Madison breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Wisconsin 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.