Average Private School Tuition 2025 — Latest Statistics

Average Private school tuition in the United States varies significantly depending on factors such as location, school type, and level of education.

From Catholic schools offering more affordable tuition to prestigious boarding schools charging upwards of $37,590 annually, the cost varies by a large margin.

With the national average tuition cost standing at $12,326 per year, many families weigh the benefits of Private school education against its financial burden.

This article explores detailed statistics on average private tuition, breaking down costs by school type, state, and grade level to help families make informed decisions.

So, without any further ado, let us get into it!

Average Private School Tuition: General Stats

1. The national average private tuition fee is $12,326 each year.
2. The elementary private school tuition costs $11,369 per year.
3. It costs an average of $15,840 per year for private high school tuition.
4. Private school review stated that the national average fee for K 12 education is $12,350 (2021-2022).
5. According to the private school review, Newton is the town most unaffordable for private school tuition fees. It costs an average tuition of $43,903 each year.
6. The state with the most average private school tuition fees is Connecticut. It costs around $28,277 on average.
7. Similarly, the lowest private school tuition cost is $4,120 in South Dakota.
8. The cost of attending private schools is lower than public schools in more than three-quarters of the states.
9. Statistics show that the average private school fees are less than the average per-student public school expenditure in 42 states.
10. The average annual private school tuition was approximately $11,645 (Private School Review).
11. Other than the average tuition fees in private schools, the extra cost per student on average is $3,700. This includes additional expenses such as books, supplies, sports, and uniforms. 
12. This extra fee brings an overall $16,050 per year.
13. Five-day boarding private schools cost double the regular private school tuition. It costs around $33,140 for the five-day private school.
14. Similarly, seven-day boarding schools have an average annual tuition fee of $ 37,590.
15. The Catholic school tuition fees are much less than those of any other private school. It costs only $4,840 for elementary schools and $11,240 for secondary and high schools.
16. The most costly town for private school tuition is Newton, MA, with an average tuition of over $44,037.
17. Lima, OH, is the least expensive town in the US for private school tuition, with an average tuition of $2,818.

Average Annual Cost for Private Schools

Private schools are not affiliated with regional, state, or national governments. They also do not receive public funding or any funding from the government. 

18. The average cost for private schools in the US is $12,326 each year.
19. The private elementary school costs around $7,630 on average per year.

Following is the Total Annual Cost breakdown for Private schools.

20. The average cost for secondary private schools is around $16,040.
21. The median annual tuition fee in all private schools is $16,600.
22. Many Catholic private and parish schools have the lowest tuition fees compared to other religious private schools in the US. 
23. The statistics show that the average annual tuition fee for private students in catholic schools is $4,840.
24. $11,240 is the average annual tuition for high school and secondary Catholic private schools.

Here is a detailed average annual tuition for private schools in the US.

(Source: EducationData.Org)

Average Tuition Fees for Private Day School

Private day school is the most preferred option for students in the US. Like traditional public schools, students attend school in the daytime and leave by evening.

25. The majority of private students attend day schools (91.4%).
26. According to the education data, the median tuition fee at private day schools is $16,000.
27. The primary day school tuition fee costs around $14,370.
28. The average estimated cost for middle school is $15,180.
29. The median average cost for high school students is $19,020.
30. The average annual cost of a private day school is $27,000 among the school switch National Association of Independent Schools membership.
31. 94.1% of private school students attend day schools.
32. $23,330 is the average cost of tuition for first graders attending private day schools.
33. For high school seniors and grade 12 students attending private day schools, the average median tuition fee is around $30,380.

Following is the breakdown of tuition fees for private day schools.

(Source: Education Data)

(NAIS– National Association of Independent Schools membership)

Cost of Private Boarding School

Among the total Private schools in the US, there are only a few boring private schools. Most private boarding schools are on the East Coast. Modern boarding schools provide room facilities and a board for day school classes. 

34. The boarding schools are likely to charge higher fees for higher-level classes.
35. The average annual tuition fee at 5-day boarding schools is around $33,140.
36. The average tuition fee for 7-day private boarding schools is $37,590.
37. 5.9% of private school students are student boarders.
38. Boarders tend to be secondary and older students.
39. Among the private schools in the US, only 0.6% of the students are boarders.
40. The percentage of younger and elementary-level students is higher than high school
41. students who are likely to attend private boarding schools. 

Private School Tuition by School Type

42. According to statistics by NCES, two-thirds of all the private schools in the US are religious schools.
43. Around 20% of private schools are Catholic schools. More than 12% of the schools are conservative Christian schools. 26% of the schools are unaffiliated, and 9% of the private schools are 9%.
44. Statistics from 2015 state that around 75% of private school students were in religious schools.
45. Based on the statistics of 2011-2012, the average expense of private Catholic primary schools was $5,330 every year.
46. The average cost of private Catholic high schools was $9,790 per year.
47. The average cost for private religious elementary schools other than Catholic schools was $7,960 each year.
48.  Similarly, the average tuition fee for high schools was $16,520 (other than in catholic schools).
49. For nonsectarian elementary schools, the tuition fee was $18,120.
50. And for the nonsectarian high school, the average fee was $25,180 per year.

Private Postsecondary School Tuition Fees

Most private high schools or universities are nonprofit institutions.

50. The average degree in the US costs $69,112.
51. A degree from an average private school costs around $215,796
52. Private schools with a 2-year program have an average fee of $34,556 per year.
53. In the average traditional private high school, students spend around $53,949 per year.
54. The expenses of attending the high school’s private 4-year degree program increased by 48.9% between 2010 and 2020.

Private School Enrollments

56. Around 10% of the total schools in the US are private schools.
57. Among the total students in the US, 25% of the students go to private schools.
58. Statistics show fewer than 300 students are in 87% of private schools.
59. Among the families with an annual income of a minimum of $75,000 annually, 11% prefer private schools for their children. State-wise Average Private School Tuition Expenses.
60. In over 40 states, the average tuition fee for private schools is $28,277 in Connecticut.
61. Similarly, the state with the lowest tuition fees for private schools is South Dakota, with average expenses of $4,120.
62. Moreover, Massachusetts and the District of Columbia are the most expensive states after Connecticut.

10 states with the highest average private school tuition fees

(Source: Private School review)

63. The District of Columbia ranks second in the top 10 states with the highest average tuition fees.
64. New York has an average tuition fee of $20,554.
65. California state has an average tuition fee of $16,072.

10 States with the lowest median private school tuition fees:

(Source: Private School Review)

66. South Dakota is the state with minimum tuition fees, i.e., $4,120.
67. Nebraska and Wisconsin come next, after South Dakota.
68.  West Virginia has an average tuition fee of $6,164.

Let’s have a look at the top 10 towns in the US that have the highest average private school tuition

Financial Aids for Private School Tuition

69. The average aid per scholar gets as financial aid is $11,500.
70. There 28% of the students in the private school receive some form of financial aid.
71.  The average scholarship per scholar is around $24,790.
72. $10,00 is the average allotment for the 4.6% of the private students who get the fee reimbursement due to the employment status of the parent.
73. The financial aid offered by private schools is based on need and merit. Also, each school varies on who gets financial help, and how each family earns. (NAIS,2016) 
74. K-12 scholarships come under voucher schemes. Those families who are provided with vouchers are based on their financial circumstances. 
75. They are often to pay at least 25% or $500.
76. More than half of the states provide school choice programs that help families pay for private k-12 education.
77. To get eligible for the Children’s Scholarship Fund, students must be above 5 years. 

Conclusion: Average Private School Tuition (2025)

The American School Statistics reports say that private school education is worth it as compared to any other school. However, the expense is a factor that parents can take into consideration when choosing a school.

But I think the most crucial factor while deciding the school should be the type of environment, social connectivity in which they learn best, and the interests and natural talents they have to thrive.

I hope this article helped you to understand the average private school tuition and the yearly expenses you need to study with private schools.

If I have missed something to mention, then share it with us in the comment section below.

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Alvin Parker

Hey, I'm Alvin and I grew up in Venice, California. I'm on a mission to help people to choose the right online learning platforms and courses. As of now, I'm exploring new eLearning platforms, courses and sharing my findings on ProsperityforAll.

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