Is private school cheaper in Erie or Salem?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. That's $500/year less, or $6,500 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $500/year less than Salem. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $6,500 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $8,400/year in Salem.

How do Erie and Salem 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). Salem averages $12,400/year ($50 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Salem

Erie averages $500/year less for private school (4% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $6,500 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $12,400/year in Salem. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Salem

$12,400

avg tuition/year

$50 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Salem	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$12,400/yr	-$500
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$8,400/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$25,000/yr	+$2,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$10,500/yr	-$400
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$12,400/yr	-$500
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$14,900/yr	-$600

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Salem

$161,200

Choosing Erie saves $6,500 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $13,000.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Salem

Salem Academy (OR)

Christian · 9–12 · $14,800/yr

Blanchet Catholic School (Salem)

Catholic · 9–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Salem breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Oregon 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.