Is private school cheaper in Erie or Paterson?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. That's $6,200/year less, or $80,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $6,200/year less than Paterson. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $80,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $11,700/year in Paterson.

How do Erie and Paterson 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). Paterson averages $18,100/year ($5,750 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Paterson

Erie averages $6,200/year less for private school (52% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $80,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $18,100/year in Paterson. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Paterson

$18,100

avg tuition/year

$5,750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Paterson	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,200
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$11,700/yr	-$4,000
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$38,700/yr	-$11,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$15,400/yr	-$5,300
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$18,100/yr	-$6,200
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$21,700/yr	-$7,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Paterson

$235,300

Choosing Erie saves $80,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $161,200.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Paterson

Paramus Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $15,800/yr

St. Philip the Apostle School

Catholic · K–8 · $10,200-$12,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Paterson breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs New Jersey 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.