Is private school cheaper in Erie or Meridian?

Meridian has lower average private school tuition at $7,800/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $4,100/year less, or $53,300 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Meridian is $4,100/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $53,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $5,300/year in Meridian.

How do Erie and Meridian 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). Meridian averages $7,800/year ($4,550 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Meridian

Meridian averages $4,100/year less for private school (53% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $53,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Meridian is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,800/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $5,300/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Meridian

$7,800

avg tuition/year

$4,550 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Meridian	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,100
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$5,300/yr	+$2,400
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$15,100/yr	+$12,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$6,600/yr	+$3,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$7,800/yr	+$4,100
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$9,400/yr	+$4,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Meridian

$101,400

Choosing Meridian saves $53,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $106,600.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Meridian

Nampa Christian Schools

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Victory Charter School (Meridian)

Independent · K–12 · $8,400-$10,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Meridian breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Idaho 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.