Is private school cheaper in Erie or Thornton?

Erie has lower average private school tuition at $11,900/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. That's $1,200/year less, or $15,600 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Erie is $1,200/year less than Thornton. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $15,600 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $8,500/year in Thornton.

How do Erie and Thornton 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). Thornton averages $13,100/year ($750 above average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Thornton

Erie averages $1,200/year less for private school (10% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $15,600 per child.

Bottom Line

Erie is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $11,900/year vs $13,100/year in Thornton. Religious schools run $7,700/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Lower cost

Thornton

$13,100

avg tuition/year

$750 above national avg

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Thornton	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,200
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$8,500/yr	-$800
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$25,700/yr	+$2,000
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$11,100/yr	-$1,000
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$13,100/yr	-$1,200
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$15,700/yr	-$1,400

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Thornton

$170,300

Choosing Erie saves $15,600 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $31,200.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Thornton

Thornton Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,200-$11,400/yr

St. Pius X Catholic School (Thornton)

Catholic · K–8 · $8,400-$10,200/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Thornton breakdown →

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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.