Private School Cost: Tuition, Fees & Total Price

Private school tuition is set by each school, not by the state, so there is no single price. A small parish school in a rural county and a college-preparatory day school in a large city can differ by many thousands of dollars a year, even for the same grade.

This guide covers the national average, how elementary and high school differ, which states are the most and least expensive, and what tuition usually leaves out. It also explains why private school is quoted per year and how families typically pay it over time.

The national average in the directory above is $13,769 per year. That is an average across all grade levels and school types that the directory lists, so it hides a lot of variation. High school costs more than elementary school.

Private elementary schools average $13,043 per year, and private high schools average $17,294. The source does not explain the gap, though high schools may offer more courses, labs and activities.

Schools usually publish tuition as an annual figure, not a monthly one. Many then let families pay in installments, often monthly, through a payment plan. A school may add an enrollment fee, a plan fee or interest, so the monthly payments can add up to more than the published tuition.

To find your own monthly cost, ask the school for the annual tuition, the number of installments, and any plan fees. Do not assume a monthly price from an annual average, because schools differ in how many payments they collect and when the first one is due.

Where you live changes the price a great deal. These averages come from the same directory.

Connecticut has the highest state average at $29,140, followed by the District of Columbia at $27,562 and Massachusetts at $26,631. South Dakota has the lowest state average in the listing at $5,377. The most expensive states are concentrated in the Northeast, while rural and Plains states are at the other end.

Religious schools often cost less than independent schools because parishes and dioceses may subsidize them, though the amount depends on the school. A tuition survey in the Archdiocese of Baltimore shows how wide the gap can be in one metro area.

Catholic high schools in the archdiocese that charge traditional tuition averaged $20,161 for the 2025-26 school year, according to Catholic Review. Non-Catholic private high schools in the area averaged $35,414. That is one metro area, not a national comparison, so check what schools near you charge.

National tuition averages depend on which schools are counted and how.

The directory figure of $13,769 is one estimate. Other sources report different averages, and the gap may come from the school list used, the school year, and whether they average by school or by student. When you see two averages that disagree, check the year and what the number covers.

Tuition is the headline, but families usually pay for more. Ask each school for a full cost sheet that covers:

• registration, application and enrollment fees
• uniforms and dress code items
• books, devices and supplies
• lunch and transportation
• before-school and after-school care
• field trips, sports and club fees
• fundraising or volunteer-hour requirements, which some schools set

Some schools also charge a capital or building fee. Ask whether any fees are refundable if you withdraw.

Many private schools offer need-based financial aid, and some offer merit awards or sibling discounts. Each school has its own process and deadlines, and some use a third-party service to assess family need. Contact the admissions or business office of each school you are considering and ask how to apply.

Some states run school choice programs, tax credit scholarships or education savings accounts that can help pay private tuition. Rules differ by state and by household, so check with your state education department. For tax or loan decisions, consult a licensed financial or tax professional.

1. What is the total annual cost for my child's grade, including fees?
2. How is tuition billed, and what are the payment plan options?
3. How has tuition changed over the last few years, and what increase should I plan for?
4. What aid is available and how is it decided?
5. What is the refund policy if we leave mid-year?
6. Are there extra costs for activities, uniforms, devices or transportation?

Compare at least two or three schools on the same basis, and ask for the cost sheet in writing.