Is private school cheaper in Erie or Pittsburgh?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. That's $300/year less, or $3,900 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $300/year less than Pittsburgh. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $3,900 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $7,800/year in Pittsburgh.

How do Erie and Pittsburgh 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). Pittsburgh averages $12,200/year ($150 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Pittsburgh

Erie averages $300/year less for private school (3% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $3,900 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $12,200/year in Pittsburgh. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Pittsburgh

$12,200

avg tuition/year

$150 below national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Pittsburgh	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$12,200/yr	-$300
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$7,800/yr	-$100
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$22,800/yr	+$4,900
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$10,000/yr	+$100
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$12,200/yr	-$300
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$15,000/yr	-$700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Pittsburgh

$158,600

Choosing Erie saves $3,900 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $7,800.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Pittsburgh

Shady Side Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $27,800-$29,400/yr

Winchester Thurston School

Independent · PK–12 · $25,200-$27,600/yr

Central Catholic High School (Pittsburgh)

Catholic · 9–12 · $13,400/yr

North Catholic High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $11,800/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Pittsburgh breakdown →

Pennsylvania 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.