How Much Do Private Schools Cost? Breakdown of Tuition (2024)

Sending your child to a top-tier private school can be a terrific decision. However, it can also be an expensive one.

Qualified teachers, state-of-the-art facilities, and fascinating field trips are just a few factors that contribute to the high cost of private schools. According to a recent report, the costs of private schools can reach $12,594 per year on average.

Of course, private school costs depend on the type of school and state of residence. For example, Nebraska has the lowest average at $4,832/year, while Connecticut’s $28,894/year average is the highest in the nation.

Wherever you live, private school is an investment in your child. If it’s an investment you’re considering, we have the tuition information you need. In this guide, we explore:

• Private School Costs for Preschools
• Private School Costs for Religious Schools
• Private School Costs for Day Schools
• Private School Costs for Boarding Schools
• Private School Costs for Homeschooling
• Average Private School Costs by State
• Tips to Reduce Private School Costs

Private school costs for preschools

Parents hoping to start their kids on the right foot may want to explore private preschools. Private preschools and Montessori programs prepare kids aged 3–5 for the K–12 school system.

Depending on your location, a year at a private preschool can cost anywhere from $4,000 to $13,000.

Private school costs for religious schools

As you may notice in your research, religious organizations operate many private schools. These schools blend traditional, secular education with spiritual teachings.

In most cases, religious private schools are more affordable than non-religious schools. For example, the average tuition for elementary students at a private Catholic school is $4,480 per year.

Private school costs for day schools

A non-religious day school has the same schedule as a public school: your kids leave in the morning and come home in the afternoon.

Just as religious private schools bring the average tuition down, non-religious day schools push the average tuition up. As per a recent report, these are the median tuition fees by level of schooling:

• Elementary school – $25,740/year
  
  
• Middle school – $29,428/year
  
  
• High school – $33,882/year

Private school costs for boarding schools

Because boarding schools also cover accommodation and food, they can be far more costly than day schools.  

For a five-day boarding school (where kids come home on the weekends), the average annual cost is $53,350. For a seven-day boarding school, you’re looking at a yearly bill of $67,270.

Private school costs for homeschooling

Technically, homeschooling is also a form of private schooling. And, just like any other private school, it comes with its own expenses.

After you factor in the school supplies, educational materials, field trips, and testing fees, you could spend $700–$1,800 per child each year.

Average private school costs by state

So, how much do private schools cost in general? Ultimately, it depends on where you live.

To give you an idea of what you might spend, this is the average private school tuition cost in all states with sufficient data as of 2024:

• Alabama – $8,328
• Alaska – $7,224
• Arizona – $10,244
• Arkansas – $6,056
• California – $16,637
• Colorado – $12,856
• Connecticut – $28,894
• Delaware – $11,408
• Florida – $10,415
• Georgia – $11,795
• Hawaii – $14,438
• Idaho – $8,697
• Illinois – $8,922
• Indiana – $7,143
• Iowa – $6,332
• Kansas – $7,768
• Kentucky – $7,255
• Louisiana – $6,550
• Maine – $22,421
• Maryland – $14,252
• Massachusetts – $25,061
• Michigan – $7,903
• Minnesota – $7,446
• Mississippi – $5,958
• Missouri – $10,472
• Montana – $8,998
• Nebraska – $4,857
• Nevada – $10,602
• New Hampshire – $20,781
• New Jersey – $15,215
• New Mexico – $8,774
• New York – $21,053
• North Carolina – $10,280
• Ohio – $7,892
• Oklahoma – $6,970
• Oregon – $10,222
• Pennsylvania – $12,098
• Rhode Island – $16,254
• South Carolina – $8,147
• Tennessee – $10,844
• Texas – $10,668
• Utah – $10,930
• Vermont – $23,933
• Virginia – $15,087
• Washington – $13,046
• West Virginia – $6,230
• Wisconsin – $5,057

How to reduce private school costs

No matter where you live, private schooling can put financial strain on your family. Even in a low-cost state like Wisconsin, 13 years of private school can cost you around $65,000 per child—not including preschool or post-secondary education. 

Fortunately, we have some suggestions if you’re seeking ways to lower your private school costs.

Look into School Choice programs for your state

The concept of “school choice” gives parents the freedom—and the financial resources—to decide where their children go to school. In a nutshell, school choice programs allow parents to use the funding that would normally pay for public schooling and apply it to a private option.

More than 30 states have school choice programs you may be able to access, with financial benefits that include:

• Vouchers
• Education savings accounts (ESA)
• Tax-credit scholarships
• Tax credits and deductions

For more information, check out our guide to navigating and maximizing school choice benefits.

Research scholarships

Consider looking into national, state, or local merit or achievement-based scholarships to earn money toward private education.

Many private schools also offer awards, especially to low-income families or students from specific demographics.

To see if your preferred school offers scholarships, visit their website. If there’s no information, consider emailing the administration to learn more about scholarships or other financial aid options.

Launch or join a RaiseRight program

Scholarships and vouchers are valuable cost-saving tools, but they’re not guaranteed, can be highly competitive, and require particular criteria or a complex application process.

However, with a RaiseRight fundraising and tuition reduction program, you can significantly lower your private school costs—just by using gift cards when you shop or dine at your favorite stores and restaurants.

Here’s how it works: 

• Schools enroll with RaiseRight (it’s free to join). 
  
  
• Parents and families can buy gift cards from hundreds of popular, beloved brands like McDonald’s, Walmart, Starbucks, Gap, and more.
  
  
• With every gift card purchase, you earn a percentage back (6% average), which you can apply to offset tuition costs or other educational expenses. 

It’s that easy! 

The private school you’re considering may already have a RaiseRight program. If they do, you’ll just need their unique enrollment code to join the program and start earning.

If your preferred school hasn’t partnered with RaiseRight yet, it’s not too late to start! Connect with the school’s administration or contact the individual(s) who manage fundraising for the private school.