Is private school cheaper in Erie or Tacoma?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $13,700/year in Tacoma. That's $1,800/year less, or $23,400 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $1,800/year less than Tacoma. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $23,400 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $9,400/year in Tacoma.

How do Erie and Tacoma 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). Tacoma averages $13,700/year ($1,350 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Tacoma

Erie averages $1,800/year less for private school (15% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $23,400 per child.

Bottom Line

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

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Tacoma

$13,700

avg tuition/year

$1,350 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Tacoma	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,800
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$9,400/yr	-$1,700
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$29,400/yr	-$1,700
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$11,600/yr	-$1,500
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$13,700/yr	-$1,800
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$16,400/yr	-$2,100

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Tacoma

$178,100

Choosing Erie saves $23,400 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $46,800.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Tacoma

Charles Wright Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $28,400/yr

Bellarmine Preparatory School

Catholic · 9–12 · $18,400/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Tacoma breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs Washington 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.