Is private school cheaper in Erie or Plano?

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

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

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

How do Erie and Plano 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). Plano averages $12,800/year ($450 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Plano

Erie averages $900/year less for private school (8% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $11,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $12,800/year in Plano. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Plano

$12,800

avg tuition/year

$450 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Plano	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$12,800/yr	-$900
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$8,700/yr	-$1,000
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$27,100/yr	+$600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$10,900/yr	-$800
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$12,800/yr	-$900
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$15,400/yr	-$1,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Plano

$166,400

Choosing Erie saves $11,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $23,400.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Plano

Prestonwood Christian Academy

Christian · PK–12 · $18,200/yr

Parish Episcopal School (Plano)

Independent · PK–12 · $24,800/yr

St. Mark the Evangelist School

Catholic · K–8 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Plano breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Texas 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.