Average Cost of Private School

Report Highlights. The average cost of private school attendance from kindergarten through 4 years of postsecondary study is $307,262.

• $12,790 is the average annual tuition among the nation’s 24,090 private elementary and secondary schools in 2021.
• Annual tuition at an average private high school is $15,344.
• The average annual tuition at a private university is $35,248.
• Among the nation’s top boarding schools, the cost can reach upwards of $60,000 per year.
• Among the country’s 146 private boarding schools, the average annual tuition, plus room and board, is $69,150.

Related reports include the U.S. Public Education Spending Statistics | How Many Public Schools Are There in the U.S.? | Average Cost of College | Student Loan Debt Statistics | Student Loan Refinancing

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Average Cost of Private School

Private schools are unaffiliated with any local, regional, state, or national government and do not receive public funding. Private school tuition varies depending on education level and the institution’s affiliation.

• $12,790 is the average annual tuition among all private schools nationwide.
• $9,210 is the average annual tuition for private elementary/ middle school students.
• $16,420 is the average annual tuition for private secondary/ high school students.
• Among the top 50 most expensive boarding schools in the nation, the least expensive is The Asheville School, with a yearly tuition of $60,525. 
• The most expensive boarding school is The Masters School, located in Dobbs Ferry, New York, with an annual tuition of $72,000.  

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. The statistics in the following sections are for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) which represents 1,299 schools.

• $30,692 is the average tuition at private day schools.
• Median tuition for first graders at NAIS member schools is $26,800.
• Median tuition for middle school students is $30,535.
• For high school students, median tuition is $35,105.
• For high school seniors or grade 12 students attending such schools, $34,900 is the median cost of tuition. 

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. The statistics in the following sections are for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) which represents 1,299 schools.

• $55,425 is the average annual tuition at 5-day boarding schools.
• $69,150 is the average annual tuition at 7-day boarding schools. 

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 and Massachusetts are the second and third most expensive states to send an elementary school student to private school. 

Cost of Private School in 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.

• $8,289 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Alabama.
• $7,808 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $8,758 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $28,575 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $17,687 or 61.9% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Alaska

Alaska is the only state where elementary private education is more expensive than secondary schools.

• $7,224 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Alaska.
• $7,316 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,881 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• Alaska’s private elementary schools on average cost $435 more than secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $28,767 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $19,315 or 70.5% of the total annual cost of attendance.

Cost of Private School in Arizona

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

• $10,46 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Arizona.
• $10,168 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $14,321 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• Secondary school costs $4,153 more than elementary school.
• The average private 4-year college costs $23,661 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $13,485 or 56.99% of the total annual cost of attendance.

Cost of Private School in Arkansas

Tuition in Arkansas is a little more than half the national average.

• $6,228 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Arkansas.
• $6,187 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $7,057 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $33,930 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $24,768 or 73.09% of the total annual cost of attendance.

Cost of Private School in California

Among private elementary schools, California has some of the most expensive in the country.

• $16,884 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in California.
• $16,066 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $22,153 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $58,515 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $42,017 or 71.81% of the total annual cost of attendance.

Cost of Private School in Colorado

Colorado’s elementary schools are comparatively less expensive than their secondary schools.

• $13,111 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Colorado.
• $12,017 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $15,784 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $42,065 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $27,474 or 65.3% of the total annual cost of attendance.

Cost of Private School in Connecticut

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

• $29,433 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Connecticut.
• $23,900 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $42,032 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• Secondary private schools charge an average of $18,132 more than elementary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $58,515 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $42,017 or 71.8% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Delaware

Elementary schools are more expensive than average, but secondary schools are considerably more affordable.

• $12,734 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Delaware.
• $12,355 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $13,859 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $22,978 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $12,154 or 52.9% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Florida

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

• $10,617 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Florida.
• $10,592 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,829 is the average cost of tuition at private secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $45,156 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $30,928 or 68.5% of the total annual cost of attendance.

Cost of Private School in Georgia

Secondary schools in Georgia are less expensive than the national average.

• $11,963 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Georgia.
• $11,863 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,531 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $46,295 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $32,114 or 69.37% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Hawaii

Hawaii’s private schools are more expensive than the national average, with private secondary school tuition running significantly higher than average.

• $14,746 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Hawaii.
• $14,548 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $17,941 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $36,127 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $21,851 or 60.5% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in 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.

• $8,980 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Idaho.
• $9,059 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $9,092 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $17,747 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $6,970 or 39.27% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Illinois

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

• $9,287 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Illinois.
• $8,639 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $13,923 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $52,234 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $37,646 or 72% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Indiana

Cost of Private School in Iowa

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

• $6,363 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Iowa.
• $5,810 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,792 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $48,322 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $37,623 or 77.86% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Kansas

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

• $8,044 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Kansas.
• $7,184 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,676 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $42,222 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $31,116 or 73.7% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Kentucky

Private school tuition in Kentucky is significantly lower than the national average. The state’s private secondary schools are especially affordable.

• $7,129 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Kentucky.
• $6,863 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $7,880 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $37,701 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $28,001 or 74.27% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Louisiana

Louisiana’s private schools run well below the national average in terms of cost. The most expensive private school in Louisiana is the Metairie Park Country Day School which costs, $25,120 for tuition.

• $7,849 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Louisiana.
• $7,911 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $9,566 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $59,366 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $44,485 or 74.93% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Maine

Maine has some of the most expensive secondary private schools in the nation. Private secondary schools is more than twice the cost of private elementary schools.

• $22,341 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Maine.
• $14,573 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $29,502 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• Private secondary schools cost $14,929 more than elementary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $53,829 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $38,972 or 74.2% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Maryland

Maryland private schools have slightly higher tuition costs than the national average for both their elementary and secondary schools.

• $14,407 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Maryland.
• $13,780 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $18,262 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $64,283 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $48,240 or 75.04% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Massachusetts

Massachusetts is a much more expensive place to attend private school than elsewhere in the country. Average school tuition and private elementary school are the third most expensive in the country.

• $26,203 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Massachusetts.
• $23,202 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $38,658 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $71,563 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $53,789 or 75.16% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Michigan

Michigan’s private schools are cheaper than the average, but the state’s private elementary school tuition costs are especially low.

• $8,149 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Michigan.
• $6,919 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,531 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $44,800 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $33,385 or 74.52% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Minnesota

Minnesota’s private secondary schools are slightly lower than the average, while their primary schools are considerably cheaper.

• $8,097 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Minnesota.
• $7,916 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $14,542 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $47,839 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $35,914 or 75.0% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Mississippi

Mississippi’s private secondary schools are the cheapest in the country.

• $5,994 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Mississippi.
• $5,894 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,458 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $29,234 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $20,042 or 68.56%of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Missouri

Missouri private school costs are on par with the national average.

• $10,673 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Missouri.
• $10,245 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,649 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $42,566 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $30,660 or 72.0% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Montana

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

• $9,119 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Montana.
• $8,351 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $9,185 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $41,989 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $31,464 or 74.93% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Nebraska

The private elementary and secondary schools in Nebraska are both significantly cheaper than the national average.

• $4,432 is the average tuition among elementary private schools in Nebraska.
• $4,474 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $9,043 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $37,126 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $26,002 or 70.04% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Nevada

evada’s cost for private elementary and secondary schools is near the national average.

• $10,643 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Nevada.
• $10,849 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,673 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college tuition fee costs $24,246 per year. 

Cost of Private School in New Hampshire

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

• $21,604 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in New Hampshire.
• $13,613 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $31,159 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $32,945 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $19,557 or 59.36% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in New Jersey

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

• $15,780 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in New Jersey.
• $15,406 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $20,272 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $55,304 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $40,366 or 73% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in New Mexico

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

• $8,862 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in New Mexico.
• $8,948 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,211 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $39,557 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $27,340 or 69.12% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in New York

New York’s private elementary and secondary schools are much more expensive than the national average. The most expensive private school in New York is The Cooke School & Institute special school with a yearly cost of $91,000.

• $21,158 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in New York.
• $21,415 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $27,322 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $63,505 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $46,280 or 72.88% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in North Carolina

North Carolina’s private schools are among the nation’s most affordable, though the cost of elementary school is closer to the national average.

• $10,347 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in North Carolina.
• $9,795 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,770 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $54,084 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $40,176 or 74.28% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in 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.

• At the Shiloh Christina School in Bismarck, the average tuition price is $8,457.
• At St. John’s Academy in Jamestown, tuition is $10,000 for elementary school, $12,000 for middle school, and $13,000 for high school.
• At Oak Grove Lutheran School in Fargo, tuition is $9,050 for K-1st grade, $9,400 for grades 2-5, $10,500 for middle school, and $12,585 for high school.
• The average private 4-year college costs $25,040 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $16,990 or 67.85% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Ohio

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

• $7,929 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Ohio.
• $7,389 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $10,895 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $50,457 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $37,610 or 74.54% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Oklahoma

Oklahoma has the 12th most affordable private schools in the country.

• $7,432 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Oklahoma.
• $7,573 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $8,647 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $41,310 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $31,140 or 75.38% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Oregon

Oregon private schools cost slightly less than the average private schools nationwide.

• $10,133 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Oregon.
• $9,729 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,430 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $53,036 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $47,224 or 76.2% of the total annual cost of attendance.

Cost of Private School in Pennsylvania

Pennsylvania’s private elementary schools and secondary schools are slightly more expensive than the national average.

• $12,237 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Pennsylvania.
• $11,015 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $16,518 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $62,437 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $47,222 or 75.63% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Rhode Island

Rhode Island’s private schools are in the top ten most expensive in the nation.

• $16,999 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Rhode Island.
• $14,319 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $29,277 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $66,529 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $49,792 or 74.84% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in South Carolina

South Carolina’s private schools are less costly overall. The state’s private secondary schools are some of the nation’s most affordable, costing close to the same as the state’s private elementary schools.

• $8,272 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in South Carolina.
• $8,388 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $8,422 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $39,722 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $28,730 or 72.33% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in South Dakota

South Dakota’s private schools are the most affordable in the country.

• $4,212 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in South Dakota.
• $4,125 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,156 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $37,769 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $28,687 or 75.95% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in 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.

• $11,314 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Tennessee.
• $11,428 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,072 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $44,297 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $31,885 or 71.98% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in 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.

• $11,050 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Texas.
• $10,729 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $12,161 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $52,835 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $40,142 or 75.98% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Utah

Utah’s private schools are more affordable than the national average. Secondary schools are especially reasonable.

• $10,235 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Utah.
• $10,168 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $11,516 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $16,970 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $8,123 or 47.87% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Vermont

Vermont’s private schools are among the nation’s most expensive. Secondary schools are more than twice as costly as the nationwide average.

• $24,628 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Vermont.
• $19,348 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $33,421 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $65,793 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $50,094 or 76.14% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Virginia

Virginia’s private elementary and secondary schools are more expensive than the national average with the private elementary school tuition being especially pricey.

• $15,116 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Virginia.
• $13,599 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $17,901 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $36,434 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $24,043 or 65.99% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Washington

Washington’s private elementary and secondary schools are slightly more expensive than the national average.

• $13,346 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Washington.
• $13,566 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $15,199 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $56,492 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $42,339 or 74.95% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in West Virginia

West Virginia has some of the least expensive private schools in the nation. The cost of private secondary school is less than half the national average.

• $6,416 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in West Virginia.
• $6,621 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $6,730 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $22,576 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $12,133 or 53.74% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Wisconsin

Wisconsin has the fourth lowest tuition for private elementary schools nationwide.

• $5,058 is the average tuition among all K-12 private schools in Wisconsin.
• $4,483 is the average cost of tuition at private elementary schools.
• $9,442 is the average cost of tuition at secondary schools.
• The average private 4-year college costs $50,009 per year including room and board.
• Tuition and required fees average $37,686 or 75.36% of the total annual cost of attendance. 

Cost of Private School in Wyoming

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

• $33,500 is the cost of tuition at Jackson Hole Community School, for Grades 9 through 12, in Jackson.
• $5,420 is the K through Grade 12 tuition rate for non-church members at Trinity Lutheran Church and School in Cheyenne. 

Cost of Private Postsecondary School

Most private colleges or private universities are non-profit institutions; this data is for nonprofit schools unless otherwise noted.

• The average traditional private university student spends a total of $55,487 per academic year.
• Tuition and fees are $39,389 or 71% of the total annual cost.
• A degree from an average private university costs $221,948.
• The cost of attendance at private 4-year colleges increased 19% between 2010 and 2020. 

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 parent’s status may make a student eligible for aid or discounts. Some schools offer discounts to veterans and members of the military. The statistics in the following sections are for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) which represents 1,299 schools.

• A median of 25.6% of school students receive some form of financial aid at NAIS member schools.
• Among students who receive financial aid in the form of grants, $20912 is the median award per recipient.
• For students in boarding school, $33,047 is the average grant award per individual.
• 33.3% of students enrolled in boarding schools receive some form of financial aid. 

Private School Tuition Allocation

Most of student tuition goes toward paying faculty, staff, and administrator salaries. The statistics in the following sections are for the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS) which represents 1,299 schools.

• 52.58% of tuition goes toward paying teachers, instructional support, staff, and administrators.
• 12.58% of tuition costs go towards teacher’s benefits and payroll tax.
• 0.57%% are to pay for employee development.
• 0.99% goes toward athletic programs.
• 2.32% goes toward paying for school repairs. 

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. Mackintosh Academy Littleton, Tuition and Affordability 
4. Arcadia Christian School, Tuition  
5. St. Edward’s Catholic School, Tuition 
6. The Chicago Academy for the Arts, Tuition and Tuition Assistance 
7. The Maven Academy, Tuition  
8. Detroit Country Day School, Admissions: Tuition  
9. Veritas Classical Academy, Cost Effective Tuition 
10. Wilberforce School, Tuition Schedule  
11. St. John’s Academy, Tuition Rates  
12. Shiloh Christian School, Tuition for the 2023-2024 Academic Year 
13. Oak Grove Lutheran School, Tuition 
14. Jackson Hole Community School Admissions: Tuition  
15. Trinity Lutheran Church and School, 2020-2021 Schedule of Tuition & Fees 
16. Tuition & Financial Aid – Gesher Jewish Day School 
17. Private School Review, Average Private School Tuition Cost (2023)  
18. National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) – 2023 Digest of education statistics tables