Is private school cheaper in Erie or Syracuse?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. That's $6,600/year less, or $85,800 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $6,600/year less than Syracuse. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $85,800 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $10,600/year in Syracuse.

How do Erie and Syracuse 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). Syracuse averages $18,500/year ($6,150 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Syracuse

Erie averages $6,600/year less for private school (55% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $85,800 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $18,500/year in Syracuse. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Syracuse

$18,500

avg tuition/year

$6,150 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Syracuse	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$18,500/yr	-$6,600
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$10,600/yr	-$2,900
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$39,400/yr	-$11,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$15,700/yr	-$5,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$18,500/yr	-$6,600
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$22,200/yr	-$7,900

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Syracuse

$240,500

Choosing Erie saves $85,800 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $171,600.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Syracuse

Christian Brothers Academy (Syracuse)

Catholic · 7–12 · $16,200/yr

Bishop Grimes Jr/Sr High School

Catholic · 7–12 · $12,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Syracuse breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs New York 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.