Private School Cost: Erie vs Philadelphia
Erie averages $8,300/year less for private school (70% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $107,900 per child.
Bottom Line
Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $20,200/year in Philadelphia. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.
Erie
PA
$11,900
avg tuition/year
Philadelphia
PA
$20,200
avg tuition/year
Tuition by School Type & Grade
| Category | Erie | Philadelphia | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| All Schools (Average) | $11,900/yr | $20,200/yr | -$8,300 |
| Religious Schools | $7,700/yr | $11,400/yr | -$3,700 |
| Independent/Prep | $27,700/yr | $36,000/yr | -$8,300 |
| Elementary (K-5) | $10,100/yr | $16,500/yr | -$6,400 |
| Middle School (6-8) | $11,900/yr | $20,200/yr | -$8,300 |
| High School (9-12) | $14,300/yr | $25,000/yr | -$10,700 |
K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)
Erie
$154,700
Philadelphia
$262,600
Choosing Erie saves $107,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $215,800.
Sample Schools
Erie
Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)
Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr
Mercyhurst Preparatory School
Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr
Philadelphia
Episcopal Academy
Independent · PK–12 · $40,800-$43,200/yr
The Haverford School
Independent · PK–12 · $41,200/yr
Germantown Friends School
Independent (Quaker) · K–12 · $38,600/yr
La Salle College High School
Catholic · 9–12 · $19,200/yr
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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.