Average Private School Cost by State – 2025

April 9, 2025

There are many reasons why parents and families opt to send their children to private schools: specific academic focuses, religious affiliation, smaller and more personalized instruction, and residential options, among other reasons. But one of the most important practical considerations when making this decision is the private school cost. Private school cost can vary widely depending on the location and cost of living, the prestige and demand for enrollment, and the type of school. Depending on where in the country a private school is located, the annual tuition costs can fluctuate tens of thousands of dollars. While not all families can consider relocating for schooling, or sending their children to board in another state, it is worthwhile to be aware of the available options both locally and elsewhere.

Private School Cost: Where to Begin?

There are various annual reports and statistics on private school cost, and it can be difficult to wade through them to get to the nitty-gritty information you need. Here are some helpful metrics for us to start with:

According to a 2024 report by the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of private school nationwide was $12,790. This number includes both primary schools (which tend to have lower tuition costs) and secondary schools (which are generally more expensive).
In 2025, this nationwide average is set to be a bit higher, at $13,302.
An annual report from S&P Global, released earlier this year, found that the tuition at private day schools has reached a record high of $49,284, the largest increase, by percentage, in at least a decade. (This data is limited to the schools that S&P rates.)

These upward trends in private school cost are partly due to inflation, but may also be impacted by schools not increasing fees during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Important Note: The average cost of private school, whether nationwide or by state, is just one simplified metric. These averages can be useful in seeing the broad-stroke differences in private school cost between different regions of the country. However, the actual cost of any particular school fits within a wide range of possibilities. For example, Catholic day schools tend to have much lower annual tuition costs, while private 7-day boarding schools are much more expensive, factoring in room and board. You and your families’ options will become clearer once you narrow down your search and start looking at the specific schools that best fit your needs!

Average Private School Cost (Per Year) by State

Below, you’ll find our ranking of the average private school cost by state. The list is organized from the highest average annual tuition cost to the lowest. Think of this ranking as a starting point in your research!

We’ve also compiled numerous lists of the best private schools in certain states and cities. Be sure to check those out for more in-depth information.

1) Connecticut

Average cost: $30,840
Primary school: $25,642
Secondary school: $42,701

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Connecticut

2) Massachusetts

Average cost: $27,616
Primary school: $24,891
Secondary school: $40,968

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Boston

3) District of Columbia

Average cost: $27,508
Primary school: $28,588
Secondary school: $35,094

Further reading: Best Private Schools in D.C.

4) Vermont

Average cost: $25,197
Primary school: $19,620
Secondary school: $34,749

5) Maine

Average cost: $22,648
Primary school: $16,725
Secondary school: $29,613

6) New Hampshire

Average cost: $21,935
Primary school: $14,906
Secondary school: $31,481

Further reading: Best Private Schools in New Hampshire

7) New York

Average cost: $21,903
Primary school: $22,090
Secondary school: $27,724

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in New York City

8) Rhode Island

Average cost $19,770
Primary school: $15,833
Secondary school: $36,835

9) California

Average cost: $17,242
Primary school: $16,573
Secondary school: $23,128

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Los Angeles, San Diego, Sacramento, and the Bay Area

10) New Jersey

Average cost: $16,313
Primary school: $16,103
Secondary school: $21,738

Further reading: Best Private Schools in New Jersey

11) Virginia

Average cost: $15,311
Primary school: $13,793
Secondary school: $18,288

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Virginia

12) Maryland

Average cost: $15,110
Primary school: $14,499
Secondary school: $19,499

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Maryland

13) Hawaii

Average cost: $14,826
Primary school: $14,750
Secondary school: $17,495

14) Washington

Average cost: $14,087
Primary school: $14,212
Secondary school: $16,038

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Seattle

15) Colorado

Average cost: $13,805
Primary school: $12,615
Secondary school: $16,646

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Denver

16) Delaware

Average cost: $13,298
Primary school: $13,186
Secondary school: $14,239

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Delaware

17) Pennsylvania

Average cost: $12,751
Primary school: $11,420
Secondary school: $17,237

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Philadelphia and Pittsburgh

18) Georgia

Average cost: $12,750
Primary school: $12,586
Secondary school: $13,212

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Atlanta

19) Tennessee

Average cost: $11,886
Primary school: $12,011
Secondary school: $12,801

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Nashville and Memphis

20) Nevada

Average cost: $11,602
Primary school: $11,821
Secondary school: $12,632

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Las Vegas

21) Florida

Average cost: $11,403
Primary school: $11,248
Secondary school: $12,709

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Miami, Tampa, and Orlando

22) Texas

Average cost: $11,348
Primary school: $10,898
Secondary school: $12,435

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Austin, Dallas, Houston, El Paso, and San Antonio

23) Missouri

Average cost: $11,202
Primary school: $11,104
Secondary school: $13,234

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in St.Louis

24) North Carolina

Average cost: $11,105
Primary school: $10,573
Secondary school: $11,845

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Raleigh and Charlotte

25) Arizona

Average cost: $10,752
Primary school: $10,423
Secondary school: $14,230

26) Oregon

Average cost: $10,670
Primary school: $10,238
Secondary school: $13,536

27) Utah

Average cost: $10,617
Primary school: $10,426
Secondary school: $12,337

28) Illinois

Average cost: $9,756
Primary school: $9,130
Secondary school: $14,277

Further reading: Best Private High Schools in Chicago

29) Idaho

Average cost of private school: $8,970
Primary school: $8,983
Secondary school: $9,392

30) Montana

Average cost of private school: $8,910
Primary school: $8,123
Secondary school: $9,185

31) Wyoming

Average cost: $8,824
Primary school: $7,015
Secondary school: $15,375

32) New Mexico

Average cost: $8,796
Primary school: $8,753
Secondary school: $10,326

33) Minnesota

Average cost: $8,502
Primary school: $8,276
Secondary school: $14,596

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Minnesota

34) South Carolina

Average cost: $8,372
Primary school: $8,484
Secondary school: $8,587

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Charleston and Columbia

35) Alabama

Average cost: $8,308
Primary school: $7,860
Secondary school: $8,898

36) Michigan

Average cost: $8,266
Primary school: $7,019
Secondary school: $13,200

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Michigan

37) Ohio

Average cost: $8,153
Primary school: $7,611
Secondary school: $11,233

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Columbus

38) Oklahoma

Average cost: $8,145
Primary school: $8,320
Secondary school: $9,403

Further reading: Best Private Schools in Tulsa

39) Kansas

Average cost: $8,101
Primary school: $7,341
Secondary school: $10,972

40) Louisiana

Average cost: $7,666
Primary school: $7,697
Secondary school: $8,970

41) Indiana

Average cost: $7,641
Primary school: $6,687
Secondary school: $10,000

42) Kentucky

Average cost: $7,435
Primary school: $7,221
Secondary school: $8,078

43) Alaska

Average cost: $7,361
Primary school: $7,636
Secondary school: $7,144

44) Iowa

Average cost: $7,140
Primary school: $7,108
Secondary school: $11,227

45) Mississippi

Average cost: $6,759
Primary school: $6,685
Secondary school: $7,610

46) Arkansas

Average cost: $6,269
Primary school: $6,233
Secondary school: $7,025

47) North Dakota

Average cost: $6,143
Primary school: $4,175
Secondary school: $8,783

48) West Virginia

Average cost: $5,258
Primary school: $5,525
Secondary school: $5,070

49) Wisconsin

Average cost: $5,157
Primary school: $4,496
Secondary school: $9,931

50) Nebraska

Average cost: $4,980
Primary school: $4,622
Secondary school: $8,763

51) South Dakota

Average cost: $4,617
Primary school: $4,548
Secondary school: $7,051

Final Thoughts

We hope this list has been a useful starting point for your private school research! While tuition cost is only one of many considerations when it comes to your kids’ schooling, it can be a dealbreaker for many families. Keep in mind that there are lots of options, from religious and nonsectarian day schools to boarding schools to even online schools!

Looking for some great additional resources and opportunities for your kids? Check out the links below:

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Parenting & Homeschooling

Shannon Buckley

Shannon is a writer, editor, and visual artist with an MFA in fiction from The Ohio State University. She has taught college-level creative writing and first-year composition, and has served on the editorial teams at The Journal and 3Elements Review. Her writing has been published in DIAGRAM, Poet Lore, Wigleaf, Autostraddle, and others, and was anthologized in Best Spiritual Literature 2024.