Is private school cheaper in Erie or Wilmington?

Wilmington has lower average private school tuition at $10,000/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. That's $1,900/year less, or $24,700 over a K-12 career.

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

Average tuition in Wilmington is $1,900/year less than Erie. Over 13 years (K-12), that's $24,700 per child. Religious schools are the most affordable option in both cities: $7,700/year in Erie, $7,100/year in Wilmington.

How do Erie and Wilmington 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). Wilmington averages $10,000/year ($2,350 below average).

Private School Cost: Erie vs Wilmington

Wilmington averages $1,900/year less for private school (19% cheaper). Over K-12, that's $24,700 per child.

Bottom Line

Wilmington is the cheaper city for private school. Average tuition: $10,000/year vs $11,900/year in Erie. Religious schools run $7,100/year on the low end.

Erie

$11,900

avg tuition/year

$450 below national avg

Wilmington

$10,000

avg tuition/year

$2,350 below national avg

Lower cost

Tuition by School Type & Grade

Category	Erie	Wilmington	Difference
All Schools (Average)	$11,900/yr	$10,000/yr	+$1,900
Religious Schools	$7,700/yr	$7,100/yr	+$600
Independent/Prep	$27,700/yr	$21,100/yr	+$6,600
Elementary (K-5)	$10,100/yr	$8,500/yr	+$1,600
Middle School (6-8)	$11,900/yr	$10,000/yr	+$1,900
High School (9-12)	$14,300/yr	$12,000/yr	+$2,300

K-12 Total Cost (13 Years)

Erie

$154,700

Wilmington

$130,000

Choosing Wilmington saves $24,700 per child over a full K-12 career. Two kids? That's $49,400.

Sample Schools

Erie

Cathedral Preparatory School (Erie)

Catholic · 9–12 · $10,800/yr

Mercyhurst Preparatory School

Catholic · PK–12 · $12,400/yr

Wilmington

Cape Fear Academy

Independent · PK–12 · $16,400/yr

Wilmington Christian Academy

Christian · K–12 · $9,400-$11,800/yr

Full Erie breakdown → Full Wilmington breakdown →

Pennsylvania private school costs North Carolina 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.