Average Cost of Private School

Report Highlights:

• The average annual tuition among the nation’s 22,440 private schools is $12,350.
• Annual tuition at a private university is $35,801.
• The average annual tuition for private high school is $16,040.
• Among the nation’s 5,158 Catholic elementary schools, the average tuition is $4,840.
• Among the country’s 260 private boarding schools, the average annual tuition, plus room and board, is $37,590.

Private schools are unaffiliated with any local, regional, state, or national government. These institutions also do not receive funding from any government, unlike public schools. Most private school attendees enroll at religious institutions. Catholic schools tend to be the least expensive while nonsectarian or schools unaffiliated with any religious or cultural groups are usually the most expensive.

Data by State:
AL | AK | AZ | CA | CO | CT | DE | FL | GA | HI | ID | IL | IN | IA | KS | KY | LA | ME | MD | MA | MI | MN | MS | MO | MT | NE | NV | NH | NJ | NM | NY | NC | ND | OH | OK | OR | PA | RI | SC | SD | TN | TX | UT | VT | VA | WA | WV

Average Cost of Private School

Private school tuition varies depending on education level and the institution’s affiliation. Tuition, however, is not the only cost to attend public school. Auxiliary expenditures include supplies, uniforms, and parents association fees. Few private schools are tuition-free. Elite college preparatory schools charge exclusively high tuition while most private institutions are more affordable elementary schools.

• $12,350 is the average annual tuition among all private schools nationwide.
• $7,630 is the average annual tuition for private elementary school students.
• $16,040 is the average annual tuition for private secondary school.
• $16,600 is the median annual tuition among all private schools.
• Catholic private schools, or parish schools, tend to have the lowest tuition compared to other religious or unaffiliated private schools.
• $4,840 is the average annual tuition for elementary students at Catholic private schools.
• $11,240 is the average annual tuition for secondary Catholic private school.

Cost of Private Day School

Most private school students attend day schools. Day schools are just like traditional public schools, where students attend classes during the day before returning home for the evening.

• $16,000 is the median tuition at private day schools.
• Median tuition for first graders at any private day school nationwide is $14,370.
• Median tuition for middle school students is $15,180.
• For high school students, median tuition is $19,020.
• Among schools with National Association of Independent Schools membership, the middle range annual cost of private day school is $27,000.
• For first-graders attending such schools, $23,330 is the median cost of tuition.
• For high school seniors or grade 12 students attending such schools, $30,380 is the median cost of tuition.
• 94.1% of private school students attend day schools.

Cost of Private Boarding School

There are only a few hundred boarding schools in the United States. Most of them are on the East Coast. Modern boarding schools offer room and board in addition to day school classes. As with other private schools, boarding schools tend to charge higher tuition for higher level classes.

• $33,140 is the average annual tuition at 5-day boarding schools.
• $37,590 is the average annual tuition at 7-day boarding schools.
• 5.9% of private school students are student boarders.
• Among primary school students nationwide, less than 0.6% are student boarders.
• Boarders are more likely to be older and secondary students.
• At boarding schools, younger and elementary level students are more likely to attend day programs.

*Insufficient data for Nebraska secondary schools, as well as for schools in North Dakota, South Dakota, Wyoming, and the District of Columbia

Cost of Private School by State

Private schools are often unaffiliated with a centralized agency, making official data collection difficult. Among states that are not represented here, there is too little data available for meaningful statistical analysis.

• The most expensive private schools are in New England.
• Connecticut’s private schools have the highest average tuition.
• Connecticut also has the most expensive private elementary schools.
• Massachusetts and New Hampshire are the second- and third-most expensive states to send an elementary school student to private school.
• Available financial data represents 14.9% of the private school student population.

Alabama

Alabama’s private schools are much more affordable than those in many other states, with secondary schools charging a little more tuition than elementary schools.

• $7,050 is the average tuition among all private schools in Alabama.
• $6,560 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $7,540 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• Independent and Christian Association schools are the most common types of private schools the Alabama region.

Alaska

Alaska is one of the few states where elementary private education is more expensive than secondary schools. Overall, Alaska’s private secondary schools are the second-most affordable nationwide.

• $7,160 is the average tuition among all private schools in Alaska.
• $8,610 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $5,710 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• Alaska’s private elementary schools are, on average, cost $2,900 more than secondary schools.

Arizona

Arizona’s private secondary schools are significantly more expensive than its elementary schools.

• $12,650 is the average tuition among all private schools in Arizona.
• $6,710 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $18,590 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• Secondary school costs $11,880 or 177% more than elementary school.

Arkansas

Arkansas’ private schools serve a smaller percentage of students than most states. This may account for their comparatively low tuition costs. Tuition in Arkansas is a little more than half the national average.

• $5,470 is the average tuition among all private schools in Arkansas.
• $4,200 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,740 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.

California

California’s average tuition is lower than its median tuition, meaning most private schools in California charge a low-end rate for tuition. Among private elementary schools, however, California has some of the most expensive in the country.

• $12,860 is the average tuition among all private schools in California.
• $11,080 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $19,830 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.

Colorado

Colorado’s private schools charge less tuition than average. Their elementary schools are comparatively more expensive.

• $11,260 is the average tuition among all private schools in Colorado.
• $8,700 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $13,810 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.

Connecticut

Connecticut private schools are the most expensive in the nation. Secondary private schools cost more than twice the national average.

• $23,980 is the average tuition among all private schools in Connecticut.
• $8,700 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $33,610 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• Secondary private schools charge an average of $24,910 more than elementary schools.

Delaware

Delaware has the highest concentration of private school students, with more students attending private schools than in any other state. Elementary schools are more expensive than average, but secondary schools are considerably more affordable.

• $10,780 is the average tuition among all private schools in Delaware.
• $9,270 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,290 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.

Florida

Florida schools are less expensive on average than most private schools, with secondary schools charging significantly less than institutions nationwide.

• $7,670 is the average tuition among all private schools in Florida.
• $7,260 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $9,570 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.

Georgia

Georgia’s private schools are less expensive than average overall. Elementary schools, however, have a higher-than-average tuition.

• $8,040 is the average tuition among all private schools in Georgia.
• $9,300 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,050 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Hawaii

Hawaii’s private schools are a little less expensive than the national average, with private elementary school tuition running slightly higher than average.

• $11,370 is the average tuition among all private schools in Hawaii.
• $7,720 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $15,030 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Idaho

Idaho’s private schools cost less than most. The state’s secondary private schools are less expensive on average than private elementary schools nationwide.

• $6,250 is the average tuition among all private schools in Idaho.
• $5,110 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $7,380 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Illinois

Illinois private schools are less expensive overall. The state’s most expensive schools are within the city of Chicago.

• $6,860 is the average tuition among all private schools in Illinois.
• $6,340 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,530 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Indiana

Indiana’s private schools are some of the nation’s most affordable, costing less than half of the national average.

• $5,100 is the average tuition among all private schools in Indiana.
• $4,780 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,260 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Iowa

Iowa has the third-least expensive private elementary schools nationwide. Overall, the state’s private schools are some of the nation’s most affordable.

• $7,330 is the average tuition among all private schools in Iowa.
• $3,870 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,800 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Kansas

Kansas private schools are much more affordable on average than elsewhere in the United States.

• $8,770 is the average tuition among all private schools in Kansas.
• $5,910 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,620 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Kentucky

Private school tuition in Kentucky is a little over half of the national average. The state’s private secondary schools are especially affordable.

• $6,530 is the average tuition among all private schools in Kentucky.
• $5,770 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $7,290 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Louisiana

Louisiana’s private schools run well below the national average in terms of cost. This state has the smallest difference in average tuition between elementary and secondary schools.

• $6,550 is the average tuition among all private schools in Louisiana.
• $6,180 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,930 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Maine

Maine has some of the most expensive secondary private schools in the nation. Secondary schools in this state cost nearly four times more than elementary schools.

• $19,680 is the average tuition among all private schools in Maine.
• $8,260 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $31,090 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• Private secondary schools cost 276% more than elementary schools.

Maryland

Maryland’s private schools have higher tuition, but their overall average tuition is lower than the nationwide average.

• $10,950 is the average tuition among all private schools in Maryland.
• $10,270 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $17,040 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a much more expensive place to attend private school than elsewhere in the country. Secondary school tuition is among the nation’s highest, on par with tuition at a private college.

• $17,020 is the average tuition among all private schools in Massachusetts.
• $11,580 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $32,300 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Michigan

While Michigan’s private elementary and secondary schools are more expensive on average, the state’s overall average tuition is more affordable.

• $9,530 is the average tuition among all private schools in Michigan.
• $8,250 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $19,810 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Minnesota

Minnesota has some of the nation’s most affordable private schools. Tuition for the state’s elementary schools is especially reasonable.

• $5,430 is the average tuition among all private schools in Minnesota.
• $4,450 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,470 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Mississippi

Mississippi’s private secondary schools are the third-most affordable in the country.

• $5,400 is the average tuition among all private schools in Mississippi.
• $4,360 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,470 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Missouri

Missouri’s private secondary schools are less expensive than its average private elementary school. Tuition is nearly half of the national average.

• $6,370 is the average tuition among all private schools in Missouri.
• $7,080 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,170 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Montana

Montana’s private secondary schools are some of the nation’s most affordable.

• $7,050 is the average tuition among all private schools in Montana.
• $8,980 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,620 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• Tuition at Montana’s secondary private schools is 38% of the national average.

Nebraska

Nebraska has more private school students per capita than most other states. There is not enough data available among Nebraska’s private high schools to derive much statistical meaning.

• $2,830 is the average tuition among elementary private schools in Nebraska.
• 70% of Nebraska’s private schools are K-5 only.
• Omaha is the city with the highest number and highest concentration of private schools.
• Lincoln has the second-highest number of private schools.

Nevada

Nevada’s elementary private schools are more expensive on average, but the state’s secondary private schools are much more affordable.

• $10,390 is the average tuition among all private schools in Nevada.
• $9,140 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,630 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

New Hampshire

New Hampshire is home to some of the country’s most expensive private schools.

• $21,630 is the average tuition among all private schools in New Hampshire.
• $11,530 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $31,720 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

New Jersey

New Jersey’s private schools are notably more expensive than the national average.

• $13,340 is the average tuition among all private schools in New Jersey.
• $9,220 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $19,460 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

New Mexico

New Mexico’s private schools are notably more affordable than the national average.

• $8,820 is the average tuition among all private schools in New Mexico.
• $6,910 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,730 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

New York

New York’s private elementary and secondary schools are much more expensive than the national average. Among all schools, the average tuition is relatively low.

• $11,530 is the average tuition among all private schools in New York.
• $11,250 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $22,510 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

North Carolina

North Carolina’s private schools are among the nation’s most affordable, though the cost of elementary school runs higher.

• $9,220 is the average tuition among all private schools in North Carolina.
• $8,210 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,220 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

North Dakota

Data for North Dakota’s private schools is too sparse to derive much statistical meaning. Most of the state’s private schools are religious institutions, meaning they likely charge a low-end tuition. Bismarck is home to the largest number of private schools in the state. Other North Dakota municipalities with multiple private institutions include Dickinson and Fargo.

• Only 39 private schools in North Dakota receive federal title services.
• At the Shiloh Christina School in Bismarck, the average tuition price is $7,340.
• At St. John’s Academy in Jamestown, tuition is $3,320 for St. James Parish members and $4,260 for non-members.
• At Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, tuition is $5,330 for K-5, $8,450 for grades 6-8, and $10,650 for 9-12.

Ohio

Private schools in Ohio are relatively affordable, with secondary schools costing well below the national average tuition.

• $7,210 is the average tuition among all private schools in Ohio.
• $5,080 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $9,340 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Oklahoma

Oklahoma has the fourth-most affordable secondary schools in the country. The state’s private tuition costs less than half of the national average.

• $5,700 is the average tuition among all private schools in Oklahoma.
• $5,020 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,380 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Oregon

Oregon’s private schools, especially its secondary schools, cost less than private schools nationwide.

• $9,430 is the average tuition among all private schools in Oregon.
• $7,220 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,640 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Pennsylvania

Private schools in Pennsylvania cost less overall. Elementary private schools are more expensive, but secondary schools are more affordable.

• $8,160 is the average tuition among all private schools in Pennsylvania.
• $8,270 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $15,590 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s private elementary schools are on par with the national average in terms of cost. The state’s secondary schools, however, are much more expensive than the national average.

• $16,800 is the average tuition among all private schools in Rhode Island.
• $7,740 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $25,850 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

South Carolina

South Carolina’s private schools are less costly overall, but its elementary schools are expensive. The state’s private secondary schools are some of the nation’s most affordable, costing even less than the state’s private elementary schools.

• $8,210 is the average tuition among all private schools in South Carolina.
• $9,400 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $7,030 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

South Dakota

Data for South Dakota’s private schools is too sparse to derive much statistical meaning. Directories indicate most private schools are religious (Christian) and located in the state’s largest city, Sioux Falls.

• $5,320 is the annual tuition for Pre-K through Grade 6 at Aberdeen Christian School in Aberdeen.
• $6,055 is tuition for Grades 7 through 12.
• $3,830 is annual tuition among Sioux Falls Parish members for K-6 at Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools in Sioux Falls.
• $4,360 is tuition for non-Sioux Falls parish members, and $5,080 is tuition for non-parish members.
• $4,350 is the members tuition rate for junior high school.
• $4,900 and $5,680 are tuition rates for non-members to attend junior high at Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools.
• $5,745, $6,345, and $6,945 are tuition rates for high school at Bishop O’Gorman.

Tennessee

Tennessee’s private schools are more affordable overall than the national average. Private elementary schools tend to be more expensive, but secondary schools are significantly less costly.

• $9,680 is the average tuition among all private schools in Tennessee.
• $9,070 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,290 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Texas

Private schools in Texas are less expensive overall, with secondary schools being the most affordable. Private elementary school tuition is on par with the national average.

• $8,980 is the average tuition among all private schools in Texas.
• $7,530 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,430 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Utah

Utah’s private schools are more affordable all around. Secondary schools are especially reasonable.

• $9,210 is the average tuition among all private schools in Utah.
• $7,100 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,330 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Vermont

Vermont’s private schools are among the nation’s most expensive. Secondary schools are almost twice as costly when compared to the nationwide average.

• $21,670 is the average tuition among all private schools in Vermont.
• $9,600 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $33,740 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Virginia

Virginia has some of the nation’s most expensive private elementary schools. Their secondary schools are on par with the national average.

• $12,590 is the average tuition among all private schools in Virginia.
• $11,510 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $16,660 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Washington

Washington’s private elementary schools are more expensive than most. Overall, however, the cost of private school in Washington is below the national average.

• $10,930 is the average tuition among all private schools in Washington.
• $9,650 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,210 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

West Virginia

West Virginia has some of the least expensive private schools in the nation at less than half the average tuition.

• $4,760 is the average tuition among all private schools in West Virginia.
• $3,890 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $5,620 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Wisconsin

Wisconsin has the lowest private school tuition among states in which elementary school and secondary school data is available.

• $3,550 is the average tuition among all private schools in Wisconsin.
• $3,280 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $8,110 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.

Wyoming

Data for Wyoming’s private schools is too sparse to derive much statistical meaning.

• $3,215 is the cost of tuition and fees for K through Grade 8 at Destiny Christian Academy in Cheyenne.
• $3,465 is the cost of tuition and fees for Grades 9 through 12.
• $26,100 is the cost of tuition at Jackson Hole Community School, for Grades 9 through 12, in Jackson.
• $2,750 is the K through Grade 8 tuition rate for church members at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Cheyenne.
• $4,350 is tuition for non-members at Trinity Lutheran Church and School.

Analysis: Rising College Preparatory Costs

For students who aspire to postsecondary education, the price of that education combined with alarming trends in student loan debt and college dropout rates may influence increased financial focus on secondary education. The popular opinion – echoed at Harvard, Princeton, and the U.S. Department of Education – is that private schools improve a student’s chances of college acceptance and scholarship awards. Given that parents pay for an average 40% of students’ academic costs, families may consider private and college preparatory school a wise investment. Further, financial pressure, academic disqualification, and stress are cited as reasons for over two-thirds of college dropouts. The conventional wisdom states that private high schools geared toward college transition prepare students to deal with the issues that lead to poor academic performance and dropouts.

Student Financial Aid for Private School

There is student financial aid available for private school attendees similar to the aid available to college students. Sometimes a parents’ status may make a student eligible for aid or discounts. Some schools offer discounts to veterans and members of the military.

• 28% of private school students receive some form of financial aid.
• 49% of students at The Chicago Academy for the Arts receive financial assistance.
• Among students who receive financial aid in the form of grants, $11,500 is the average award per scholar.
• For student boarders, $24,790 is the average grant award per scholar.
• $10,000 is the median allotment for the 4.6% of private school students who receive tuition remission due to a parent or guardian’s employment status.

Private School Tuition Allocation

Most of student tuition goes toward paying faculty, staff, and administrator salaries.

• 60.8% of tuition goes toward paying teachers, instructional support, staff, and administrators.
• 56.7% of these salary costs are for teachers’ salaries.
• 22% are to pay administrator salaries.
• A further 11% of tuition goes toward benefits and payroll taxes.
• 0.6% goes toward employee professional development.
• 21.3% goes toward uncategorized and miscellaneous expenses.
• 13.5% goes toward paying administrator’s salaries.

Sources

1. National Association of Independence Schools, Data and Analysis for School Leadership: Facts at a Glance
2. Business Insider, The 50 Most Expensive Top Boarding Schools in America
3. National Catholic Education Association, Schools and Tuition: Regional Distribution of Catholic Schools
4. Mackintosh Academy Littleton, Tuition and Affordability
5. Arcadia Christian School, Tuition
6. St. Edward’s Catholic School, Tuition
7. The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Tuition and Tuition Assistance
8. The Maven Academy, Tuition
9. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), The Condition of Education, 2020
10. Detroit Country Day School, Admissions: Tuition
11. NCES, Private School Universe Survey (PSS)
12. Our Everyday Life, How Much is an Average School Uniform?
13. Veritas Classical Academy, Cost Effective Tuition
14. Great Lakes Center for Education Research & Practice, Private Schooling in the U.S.: Expenditures, Supply, and Policy Implications
15. NCES, Digest of Education Statistics
16. The Daily Princetonian, The High School Advantage
17. The Atlantic, Why Suburban Schools Are Inflating Kids’ Grades
18. The Crimson, The Making of a Harvard Feeder School
19. U.S. Department of Education (ED), Council for American Private Education: Private School Students Have College Admissions Advantage
20. Wilberforce School, Tuition Schedule
21. NCES, Schools and Staffing Survey
22. Market Watch, In These States Private Elementary School Can Cost More Than Most Colleges
23. North Dakota Department of Public Instruction, 2020-2021 Nonpublic Schools Receiving Federal Title Services
24. St. John’s Academy, Tuition Rates
25. Shiloh Christian School, Tuition for the 2020-2021 Academic Year
26. Oak Grove Lutheran School, Tuition
27. Nebraska Department of Education, Education Directory Search
28. Aberdeen Christian School Tuition Information
29. Bishop O’Gorman Catholic Schools, Tuition
30. Destiny Christian Schools, 2020-2021 Financial Information
31. Jackson Hole Community School Admissions: Tuition
32. Trinity Lutheran Church and School, 2020-2021 Schedule of Tuition & Fees