Is private school cheaper in Erie or Richmond?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. That's $2,600/year less, or $33,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $2,600/year less than Richmond. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $33,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $9,200/year in Richmond.

How do Erie and Richmond 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). Richmond averages $14,500/year ($2,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Richmond

Erie averages $2,600/year less for private school (22% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $33,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $14,500/year in Richmond. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Richmond

$14,500

avg tuition/year

$2,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Richmond	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,600
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$9,200/yr	-$1,500
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$27,000/yr	+$700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$11,800/yr	-$1,700
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$14,500/yr	-$2,600
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$18,000/yr	-$3,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Richmond

$188,500

Choosing Erie saves $33,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $67,600.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Richmond

St. Catherine's School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $28,800-$31,400/yr

St. Christopher's School

Independent · K–12 · $29,200-$31,800/yr

Collegiate School (Richmond)

Independent · PK–12 · $30,400-$32,800/yr

Benedictine College Preparatory

Catholic · 9–12 · $16,200/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Richmond breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Virginia 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.