If you want to enroll your child in a private school in the U.S. and are wondering what the average cost is, you’ve come to the right place. Of course, some states are more expensive than others, but numerous affordable private elementary schools, middle schools, and high schools are available. In fact, private school tuitions can cost less than annual public-school expenditures in 42 states.
This article will discuss the average cost of private school in the U.S. and recommend some of the most prestigious private learning centers that would benefit your children.
The Average Cost of Private Schools in the U.S.
In the United States, there are 34,576 private schools with approximately 5.7 million PK-12 students. Private schools throughout the states account for 25% of America’s schooling system.
On a national level, the average cost of private school tuition is $11,870 per year. However, if we distinguish between private elementary schools and private high schools, the average tuition amounts to $10,881 for elementary schools and $15,436 for high schools.
The most expensive private schools are in Connecticut, with an average tuition cost of $27,421 per year, while the most affordable are in South Dakota, with an average price of $3,699 per year.
Catholic private schools and parish schools usually cost much less than non-religious private schools in the U.S. To be more precise, the annual tuition for a private Catholic elementary school is $4,840 on average, while private Catholic secondary schools cost $11,240 a year. Note that 78% of private school students attend religiously affiliated schools.
On the other hand, boarding schools charge more since they offer supervision and accommodation in addition to private education. There are only a couple hundred boarding schools in the U.S., and they tend to cost $33,140 to $37,590 a year. Private schools that specialize in remedial learning differences and disabilities also tend to charge more for the tuition since they offer teachers and instructors who are highly experienced and trained in this field.
The average tuition for a private university in the U.S. is $35,801 a year. However, when you account for other expenses, such as accommodation and equipment, a private, nonprofit, four-year college would cost $48,510 in the United States. Since private universities and colleges cost so much, most students amass student loan debt that takes years to pay off.
Highest Private School Tuitions in the U.S.
The most expensive private schools are in New England – a region in the U.S., including Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire. When it comes to cities with the highest private school tuitions, Stamford, Newton, Ojai, New York, New Haven, and Boston are at the top of the list.
Connecticut
Connecticut is the most expensive state for private education, with an average tuition of $27,421 per year. What’s more, the costliest private elementary schools are also located here, with an average cost of $23,155 per year.
When it comes to private high schools, the yearly cost of tuition is $39,410. There are 103 private schools in Connecticut, with the most expensive being The Pinnacle School in Stamford, costing $96,200 per year.
Massachusetts
The average annual tuition to attend a private school in Massachusetts costs approximately $23,115, with 222 private schools. Private elementary schools cost an average of $19,973 a year, while private high schools cost $34,461 a year. Some of the best private schools in Massachusetts include the Brighton School, Milestones Day School, and the Governor’s Academy.
Vermont
Those attending private schools in Vermont pay an average of $22,925 per year. To be more precise, the average tuition for private elementary schools amounts to $17,738 per year, while the average tuition for private high schools is $32,117 per year.
There are 126 private schools in Vermont with a total of 11,477 students. Some of the best private schools in Vermont are St. Johnsbury Academy, Oak Meadow School, and Vermont Day School.
Maine
Maine’s private education system runs at a similar price, with the average tuition being $22,898 per year. There are only 40 private schools in this state, the most prestigious being Kents Hill School, which costs $63,250 a year. Private elementary school tuitions cost $15,231 a year, while private high school tuitions cost $30,795 a year on average.
New Hampshire
In New Hampshire, the average private school tuition is $19,976 a year, with private elementary school tuitions around $11,334 and private high school tuitions $28,913 per year. There are 294 private schools and 27,386 students in New Hampshire, some of the best schools being Wolfeboro Camp School, World Academy, and Dublin School.
Lowest Private School Tuitions in the U.S.
The most affordable private schools are in South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Iowa.
South Dakota
If you’re looking for the least expensive private school, you’ll find it in South Dakota, where the average tuition is $3,597 a year. There are 89 private schools with 14,429 students in South Dakota.
Some leading private schools include Rapid City Christian School, Central Baptist Preschool & Kindergarten, and James Valley Christian School. So if you want to send your child to a private elementary school in South Dakota, expect to pay $3,597 a year, while average private school tuitions are $6,717 a year.
Nebraska
Private education in Nebraska is also reasonably priced, with the average tuition being $3,977 a year. For example, the average cost to send your child to a private elementary school is $3,554 a year, while a private high school is an average of $7,813 a year.
There are 230 private schools with 42,035 students attending them in Nebraska. The best private schools here are Scotus Central Catholic High School, St. Paul’s Lutheran School, and Messiah Lutheran School.
Wisconsin
With 895 private education institutions, Wisconsin is a great place to enroll your child in a private school. The average annual tuition of $4,483. To be more precise, the average yearly tuition for private elementary schools is $3,976, and for private high schools, $8,370.
Some of the best private schools in Wisconsin include Catholic Central High School, St. Mary Parish School, and Wayland Academy.
North Dakota
In North Dakota, the average private school tuition is $5,092 a year. There are 60 private schools with 9,566 students in North Dakota right now. If you want to enroll in some of the best private schools in this state, consider Shanley High School, Sullivan Middle School, Shiloh Christian School, and St. Mary’s Grade School.
Private elementary school tuitions are $4,010 a year, while private high school tuitions are $6,950.
Iowa
One year in a private school in Iowa costs $5,359 on average. So, for example, the average cost to send your child to a private elementary school is $4,614a year, while sending them to a private high school will be an average of $9,202.
In Iowa, 46,499 students go to private schools, of which there are 243. Some of the best private schools in Iowa are Scattergood Friends School, St. Anthony Elementary School, and Siouxland Christian School.
Private School Expenses
When it comes to private school expenses, most of your money goes into tuition, which will vary greatly depending on several factors. For starters, the private school’s location and the education level (elementary school, middle school, or high school) dictate the price to a great extent.
In addition, whether the private school is religious or non-religious can also impact tuition rates.
Since private schools don’t receive any funding from the government, they are mainly funded through tuitions and affiliations. Therefore, the institution’s affiliation and whether or not they receive some form of financial support is also an essential factor. In addition, the quality of instruction, the variety of programs, and available facilities, can also influence the tuition price.
Aside from tuition, other private school expenses include accommodations (if you choose to stay at a dorm), books and supplies, technology, field trips, uniforms, athletics, extracurricular activities, and other types of fees. According to one source, one year of private education could cost around $3,000 to $3,500 without including tuition.
The good news is that 28% of private schools in the U.S. offer some form of financial aid. They can be need-based or merit-based and can take the form of scholarships, discounts, grants, loans, and other types of financial assistance.
Private School vs. Public School
When it’s time to enroll your child in school, you may wonder whether you should choose a private or public school. Given the financial aspect of private schools and the generally expensive cost of living in America, most students end up going to public schools. On the other hand, some parents view private schools as an investment into their child’s future.
While private schools do cost an average of $11,870 per year, you’d be surprised that some private school tuitions actually cost less than what you would pay for public school expenditures. In fact, in 42 states, the cost to attend private school is lower than the cost to attend public school.
Another great thing about private schools is their high acceptance rate. In some states, such as South Dakota, the acceptance rate is 97%. However, according to the same source, the national average private school acceptance rate is 85% a year.
Private schools are also much smaller than public schools, as they typically have 300 students. This allows teachers to focus on individual students more and help them with any issues they might have.
Private Learning Centers
If you or your children are looking for private learning centers or tutoring programs, take a look at the following options:
Huntington Learning Center
The Huntington Learning Center offers tutoring and test preparations in over 40 states. Here, you can choose between elementary school, middle school, and high school tutoring in various subjects and skills, from math and science to reading and writing. They even offer summer programs and homework help as well.
When it comes to test preps, they offer the following programs:
- College – ACT, SAT, PSAT, SAT subject tests, advanced placement, and in-school prep programs
- High school – HSEE, SSAT, ISEE, and HPT
- Other – regents, state tests, ASVAB, GED, and TASC
Kumon Learning Center
Kumon is centered on young learners. They offer specialized courses tailored to individual students amongst three age groups – ages 3-5, ages 6-12, and ages 13+. In addition, they provide after-school math and reading programs.
There are over 2,200 Kumon learning centers across the United States. So whether you want to prepare your child for school ahead of time or get them interested in a particular subject, Kumon is a great place to do this.
Mathnasium
Mathnasium is a math-only learning center, offering after-school tutoring to elementary school, middle school, and high school students. They use the so-called Mathnasium method, a personalized learning plan tailored to address children’s specific needs.
Mathnasium centers are located all over the U.S., Canada, and other countries, including Australia, Egypt, China, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore.
C2 Education
C2 Education offers a variety of programs, such as in-person and online test preparations, tutoring, and college counseling. If you want help preparing for SAT, ACT, PSAT, AP Exams, SSAT, and ISEE tests, C2 Education can assist you.
Elementary school, middle school, and high school students who need help with tutoring can also benefit from this learning center. Even students who have just graduated from high school can turn to C2 Education for use with the college admission process.
C2 Education has centers all over the states, including California, New York, Georgia, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Washington, and Virginia. You can also find a C2 Education learning center in Canada.
Private Schools in the U.S.
While the average cost of a private school in the U.S. is $11,870 per year, this number varies depending on several factors. For example, the most expensive private schools are in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Vermont, Maine, and New Hampshire, while the least expensive private schools are in South Dakota, Nebraska, Wisconsin, North Dakota, and Iowa.
Even though private school tuition can be pretty pricy, it’s possible to find private schools in the U.S. that offer more affordable options and financial aid to help fit your budget.