Preschool Cost: Tuition, Fees & Total Price

Preschool is not free or standardized in most of the country. Public pre-K exists in many states for some children, but families often pay private tuition, and the price depends on how many hours a child attends, what the program teaches and where the school is located.

This guide explains the common price ranges, how a half-day program compares with a full-day one, and why the figures from different sources do not match. It also lists the questions that help you compare schools fairly.

The most useful way to read preschool prices is by schedule and type. A half-day program is the lowest-priced private option, a full-day program costs more, and specialty programs sit higher still.

Care.com reports a national average for half-day preschool of $450/mo, citing a child care cost calculator, while its quoted range is much wider at $500 – $1,200/mo. Language-immersion and Montessori programs run $1,000 – $1,500/mo. Child care for preschool-age children at full-time hours is listed at $1,120 – $1,360/mo by Wonderschool, a child care platform. The three figures describe different services, so they should not be averaged together.

Preschool cost by location

Where you live may matter more than any other factor. High-cost metro areas run $1,000 – $1,800/mo, while low-cost areas run $300 – $600/mo. Child care costs track local wages and rents, so a program that charges one price in a large coastal city may charge much less in a rural county.

Many families think in annual terms, especially if the school year runs about ten months.

A full-time, full-year program averages about $13,600/yr according to Care.com. Cadence Education, which operates preschools, reports a national average of $10,668/yr, attributed to the Center for American Policy. Montessori preschool tuition often falls in a range of $5,000 – $20,000/yr, and each school sets its own price.

The annual figures above cover different program lengths and hours, so check what a given school's tuition includes. A ten-month school-year schedule and a twelve-month full-time schedule are not the same product.

State averages show how much geography matters. These figures cover full-time center-based care for children aged three to four, so they run higher than half-day tuition.

The District of Columbia is the highest listed at $1,800/mo, followed by Massachusetts at $1,650/mo and New York at $1,430/mo. Mississippi is the lowest in this table at $490/mo. The source of these state figures is a cost calculator site that cites federal child care market rate data, so use them as a rough guide and check local programs for actual prices.

Each source answers a slightly different question.

Care.com's $500 – $1,200/mo refers to half-day preschool. Wonderschool's $1,120 – $1,360/mo describes child care for preschool-age children, which usually means longer days. Cadence Education lists an average of $889/mo. Other reasons the numbers may differ:

• Half-day versus full-day. More hours cost more.
• Private versus publicly funded. State pre-K programs and Head Start can reduce or remove tuition for eligible families.
• Calendar. Some programs run on a school-year calendar, others year-round.
• Extras. Before and after care, lunch, supplies and registration fees may or may not be included.
• Data source. Some figures are surveys of licensed providers, while others are estimates published by companies in the child care industry.

Beyond location and schedule, a few other things move the price:

• Teaching approach. Montessori and language-immersion programs usually charge more.
• Staffing. Smaller class sizes and more teachers per child tend to raise cost.
• Facility and licensing. Programs on larger campuses or with specialized rooms may charge more.
• Sibling and military discounts. Many schools offer them, and policies vary.

Ask about these before enrolling:

1. Public pre-K. Many districts and states offer free or low-cost programs for certain ages or income levels. Call your local school district.
2. Head Start and Early Head Start. These federal programs serve eligible families at no charge. Your local program office can explain the rules.
3. Child care subsidies. States offer help to some working families. Contact your state child care agency.
4. Dependent care accounts. Some employers offer a flexible spending account for child care. Ask your benefits office, and speak with a licensed tax professional about your own situation.
5. Shorter schedules. A part-week or half-day schedule can cost less than a full week.

1. What is the tuition for my child's age and schedule, and how often is it billed?
2. What fees come on top: registration, supplies, activities?
3. Is there a deposit, and is it refundable?
4. What happens if my child is absent, or if I withdraw mid-year?
5. Is the program licensed, and can I see the latest inspection report?
6. Are meals, snacks and before or after care included?

Your state's child care licensing agency can tell you whether a program is licensed and how to look up inspection records.