Is private school cheaper in Erie or Orange County?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. That's $8,900/year less, or $115,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $8,900/year less than Orange County. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $115,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $11,200/year in Orange County.

How do Erie and Orange County 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). Orange County averages $20,800/year ($8,450 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Orange County

Erie averages $8,900/year less for private school (75% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $115,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $20,800/year in Orange County. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Orange County

$20,800

avg tuition/year

$8,450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Orange County	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$20,800/yr	-$8,900
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$11,200/yr	-$3,500
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$34,800/yr	-$7,100
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$17,000/yr	-$6,900
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$20,800/yr	-$8,900
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$25,500/yr	-$11,200

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Orange County

$270,400

Choosing Erie saves $115,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $231,400.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Orange County

Sage Hill School

Independent · 9–12 · $41,800/yr

Fairmont Preparatory Academy

Independent · 9–12 · $34,600-$37,200/yr

Calvary Chapel Academy

Christian · K–12 · $10,400-$12,800/yr

JSerra Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $22,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Orange County breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs California 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.