Is private school cheaper in Erie or St. Louis?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. That's $1,100/year less, or $14,300 over a K-12 career.

How much can I save on private school by choosing Erie over St. Louis?

Average tuition in Erie is $1,100/year less than St. Louis. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $14,300 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $8,400/year in St. Louis.

How do Erie and St. Louis 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). St. Louis averages $13,000/year ($650 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs St. Louis

Erie averages $1,100/year less for private school (9% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $14,300 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $13,000/year in St. Louis. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

St. Louis

$13,000

avg tuition/year

$650 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	St. Louis	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,100
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$8,400/yr	-$700
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$24,500/yr	+$3,200
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$10,600/yr	-$500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$13,000/yr	-$1,100
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$16,000/yr	-$1,700

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

St. Louis

$169,000

Choosing Erie saves $14,300 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $28,600.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

St. Louis

John Burroughs School

Independent · 7–12 · $28,400-$30,800/yr

MICDS (Mary Institute and Country Day School)

Independent · JK–12 · $30,200-$32,800/yr

Chaminade College Preparatory

Catholic · 6–12 · $16,800/yr

St. Louis University High School

Catholic · 9–12 · $17,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full St. Louis breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Missouri 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.