How Much Does Private School Cost (2025 Data & Facts)

According to EducationData.Org, the average private school fee from Kindergarten up to postsecondary study is around $441,207 in 2023. 

Private school education in the United States offers students various academic and extracurricular opportunities, but it often comes with a significant financial investment.

From tuition fees to additional costs like books, uniforms, and extracurricular activities, understanding the total expense of private schooling is essential for parents and guardians planning for their child’s education. This article explores the key findings on private school costs, comparing expenses across different states, types of schools, and education levels while highlighting available financial aid options.

Key Findings 

Before getting a complete idea about the private school cost, below are some key findings you can check out. 

1. Around 10% of the schools in the United States are private schools.

2. The nationwide average annual tuition fees among different private schools were demonstrated to be $12,167. 

3. The total annual private school cost, including all the expenses, was $16,050. 

4. As per the National Center for Education Statistics, enrollment in private schools fell to 5.7 million in the year 2017, which was 6 million in 1999. 

5. The maximum number of expensive private schools is in New England.

6. The average tuition cost at private elementary schools is around $11,300 per year, and for private high schools, it is around $15,750 per year. 

7. Connecticut has the highest k12 private school fees, which are about $23,980, and secondary private school fees, which are around $33,610.

8. Nebraska and Wisconsin have the lowest k12 private school fees, which are around $2,830 and $3,550. 

9. As per the Education Data Initiative, 94.1% of the students from private schools attend day schools.

10. According to Research.com, the annual tuition cost at catholic schools for elementary students is around $4,840, and for secondary school students, $11,240. 

11. Among total private school students, 5.9% of students are enrolled in boarding schools. 

12. The maximum number of boarding schools in the United States is on the East Coast. 

13. As per the research conducted by Research.com, around 28% of the students enrolled in private schools receive financial assistance. 

14. According to Private School Review, the average annual tuition fee at private schools was demonstrated to be $11,645 for the year 2021. 

Total Annual Private School Cost

The below table demonstrates the total annual cost of private schools, including uniforms, books, and other additional expenses. 

Sr. No	Expenses	Annual Cost
1	Tuition	$12,350
2	Books and other supplies	$500
3	Technology	$1,500
4	Uniforms	$400
5	Field trips	$500
6	Athletics	$300
7	Misc. Fees	$500
8	Total cost	$16,050

Source: Education Data Initiative 

Cost Of Private Schools As Per Different States

To determine the costs of private schools in different states, go through the data provided below. 

1. The average private 4-year college, including the room and board in Alabama State, is around $27,086. 
2. Private secondary schools in Arizona are more expensive as compared to elementary schools. 
3. California ranks among the top 10 states that comprise costly private secondary and elementary schools.
4. Colorado Rocky Mountain School in the United States is the most expensive, with an average tuition fee of $58,600.  
5. Mississippi’s private secondary schools are the cheapest in the United States. 
6. The average tuition cost of New Jersey secondary schools is around $19,731. 

States With High Private School Costs

Below are the top 10 states with high private school costs for the year 2023. 

States	Average Tuition Fees	High School	Elementary School
Connecticut	$28,277	$40,715	$22,564
District of Columbia	$25,718	$31,789	$27,308
Massachusetts	$24,744	$36,849	$21,790
Vermont	$23,232	$32,155	$18,075
Maine	$22,584	$30,025	$14,845
New Hampshire	$20,557	$29,106	$11,915
New York	$20,554	$26,273	$21,001
Rhode Island	$16,551	$28,550	$13,877
California	$16,072	$20,942	$15,290
New Jersey	$15,240	$19,931	$15,018

Source: Private School Review 

1. Connecticut has the highest average tuition fee, around $28,277, and a high school fee of about $40,715. 

States With Low Private School Costs

Now that we have seen the States with the highest private school costs, below are the States with the lowest private school costs. 

States	Average Tuition Fees	High School	Elementary School
South Dakota	$4,120	$7,473	$4,011
Nebraska	$4,190	$7,880	$3,659
Wisconsin	$4,533	$8,214	$3,991
North Dakota	$5,092	$6,950	$4,010
Iowa	$5,437	$9,208	$4,839
Mississippi	$6,028	$6,611	$5,920
Arkansas	$6,187	$7,163	$6,173
West Virginia	$6,164	$6,617	$6,358
Oklahoma	$6,591	$7,620	$6,591
Minnesota	$7,589	$13,472	$7,336

Source: Private School Review 

2. South Dakota and Nebraska have the lowest average tuition fees, approximately $4,120 and $4,190. 

3. According to the Education Data Initiative, Iowa in the United States has the third least expensive secondary private schools and fifth-least expensive elementary private schools. 

Average Annual Cost As Per Different Levels And Types Of Schools 

The data below represents the cost of private schools based on the level and type of school. 

Type Of School	K12	Elementary	Secondary	All Private Schools
Catholic	$10.2k	$4.8k	$11.2k	$6.08k
Nonsectarian	$25.7k	$20.9k	$28.9k	$25.1k
Other Religious	$9.4k	$9.2k	$18.9k	$10.2k
Average cost	$15.2k	$8.7k	$14.5k	$12.4k

Source: Education Data Initiative 

4. The average tuition cost of a private k12 catholic school was demonstrated to be $10.2k, and for private secondary schools was found to be $11.2k. 

5. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, around two-thirds of the private schools in the United States are religious schools. 

Average Tuition Cost Of Private Day Schools

Most students prefer to attend private day schools. To determine the average tuition cost of Private Day Schools, scroll down to the data below. 

Sr.No	Private Day School (Grade Level)	Average Tuition Fee
1	First Grade	$15,500
2	Middle School	$29,430
3	High School	$33,880
4	NAIS Mddle range	$29,650
5	NAIS high school	$33,680

Source: Education Data Initiative 

6. The average tuition cost for first-grade private day school students is $15,500, and for middle school students is $29,430. 

Average Fees Of Private Boarding School

Boarding Schools are most likely to charge higher fees for high-level grades. To get a clear view of the cost of the private boarding school, below are some key stats you can check out. 

1. Among total primary school students, less than 0.6% of students are enrolled in the boarding school. 
2. A five-day boarding school’s average tuition fee is around $33,140. 
3. The average annual cost, including the room and board for a seven-day boarding school in the United States, is around $37,590 
4. The total cost of a full-time boarding school for 4-years is around $150,360.
5. Elementary-level and younger students are more likely to attend day programs at boarding schools. 

Financial Aid and Grants For Private Schools

Several private schools provide student financial assistance, which is either merit-based or need-based. 

To learn more about private schools’ financial aid and grants, you can go through the data below.

(Source: Research.com, Education Data Initiative)

1. The student boarders receive an average grant award of $24,790 per scholar. 
2. Scholarships are awarded based on the student’s artistic, athletic, and academic abilities. 
3. Based on their financial circumstances, families are offered vouchers and are often required to pay around 25% of their tuition. 
4. Financial Assistance is provided to 49% of the Chicago Academy for Arts students. 
5. Children’s Scholarship fund is provided to students at least five years old. 
6. Around 34.1% of students who attend boarding schools receive financial assistance. 

Tuition Allocation At Private Schools

The maximum tuition cost is utilized to pay the salaries of the faculty, administrator, and staff.  (Source: Education Data Initiative)

1. About 13.1% of tuition fees are paid for financial and administrative costs. 
2. $53.6% of the fees go towards staff salaries comprising instructional support, administrators, and teachers. 
3.  2.59% is paid for the technology costs, and 0.7% goes for athletic programs. 
4. Approximately 2.3% of tuition fees go toward the repair cost. 

Related Read:

• How Much Would Free College Cost
• How Much Does Online College Cost
• How Much Does A PhD Cost
• How Much Does MasterClass Cost
• How Much Does Medical School Cost
• How Much Does Law School Cost

Conclusion: How Much Does Private School Cost (2025)  

The cost of private schooling varies widely across the United States, influenced by factors such as location, school type, and grade level.

While tuition is the most significant expense, additional costs like technology, field trips, and sports fees further contribute to the overall financial commitment. However, with financial aid, scholarships, and grants available, private education can become more accessible to families.

Parents can make informed decisions about private schooling that align with their financial planning and educational goals by carefully evaluating costs and available support.

FAQs