Is private school cheaper in Erie or Montgomery?

Montgomery has lower average private school tuition at $7,400/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $4,500/year less, or $58,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Montgomery is $4,500/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $58,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $5,500/year in Montgomery.

How do Erie and Montgomery 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). Montgomery averages $7,400/year ($4,950 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Montgomery

Montgomery averages $4,500/year less for private school (61% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $58,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Montgomery is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $7,400/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $5,500/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Montgomery

$7,400

avg tuition/year

$4,950 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Montgomery	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$7,400/yr	+$4,500
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$5,500/yr	+$2,200
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$15,100/yr	+$12,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$6,300/yr	+$3,800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$7,400/yr	+$4,500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$8,900/yr	+$5,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Montgomery

$96,200

Choosing Montgomery saves $58,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $117,000.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Montgomery

Montgomery Academy

Independent · K–12 · $14,200/yr

Saint James School (Montgomery)

Christian · PK–12 · $12,800/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Montgomery breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Alabama 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.