Private School Cost by Grade (2026): Elementary, Middle & High School
Private school costs $11,100–$14,200/year depending on grade level. Elementary runs about 10% below a school’s baseline rate; high school runs 15% above. Select a grade level to see what it actually costs, broken down by school type.
The least expensive phase. Most K–5 private schools charge about 10% below their posted baseline rate. Religious schools run $5,500–$10,000; independent day schools $15,000–$35,000. Six years at the national average totals $66,600.
Private School Cost by Grade and School Type
National averages (2026). Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey.
| School Type | Elementary (K–5) | Middle (6–8) | High School (9–12) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious school | $7,200 | $8,000 | $9,200 |
| Montessori | $11,250 | $12,500 | $14,380 |
| All types (national avg) | $11,100 | $12,350 | $14,200 |
| Independent day school | $22,500 | $25,000 | $28,750 |
| Boarding school | $38,000 | $46,000 | $58,000 |
Boarding figures are tuition + room + board combined.
California Private School Cost by Grade Level
California averages run 35% above the national baseline. Bay Area and L.A. independent schools push statewide averages well above the published NCES figures.
| School Type | Elementary | Middle School | High School |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious school | $9,180 | $10,200 | $11,730 |
| All schools (CA avg) | $14,110 | $15,680 | $18,030 |
| Independent school | $27,450 | $30,500 | $35,080 |
See the full state breakdown: California private school costs
Most Expensive States: Private School Cost by Grade
All-types average with grade-level adjustment applied. Source: NCES, projected to 2026.
| State | Elementary | Middle School | High School |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $24,170 | $26,850 | $30,880 |
| Massachusetts | $20,250 | $22,500 | $25,870 |
| Connecticut | $19,220 | $21,350 | $24,550 |
| New York | $18,140 | $20,150 | $23,170 |
| New Hampshire | $16,070 | $17,850 | $20,530 |
Private Elementary School Cost (K–5)
Elementary is the entry point and the lowest-cost phase. Religious K–5 programs run $5,500–$10,000 in most states. Independent lower schools charge $15,000–$35,000 and often require applications, testing, and waitlists. At $11,100 nationally, six years of private elementary costs around $66,600 before any tuition increases.
Private Middle School Cost (6–8)
Middle school is where most schools set their published rate. The national average is $12,350/year across all types—about 11% more than elementary. In California, middle school averages $18,000–$20,000 across all school types. The jump from 5th to 6th grade catches many families off guard: expect $1,000–$2,500 more per year as schools add subject-specific teachers and expand programs.
Private High School Cost (9–12)
High school carries a 15% premium over middle school at the same institution. That gap reflects AP and IB teachers, college counseling departments, varsity sports with paid coaches, and science lab facilities. National average: $14,200/year. Independent high schools average $28,750 nationally; metro California independent day schools average $35,000–$50,000. Boarding schools: $55,000–$75,000 all-in.
Boarding vs Day School by Grade Level
Boarding school figures include tuition, room, and board. Day school figures are tuition only.
| Grade Level | Day School | Boarding School | Boarding Premium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Elementary (K–5) | $11,100 | $38,000 | +$26,900/yr |
| Middle School (6–8) | $12,350 | $46,000 | +$33,650/yr |
| High School (9–12) | $14,200 | $58,000 | +$43,800/yr |
Boarding schools at the elite end (Exeter, Andover, Choate) charge $65,000–$70,000 all-in for high school. Some accept students as young as 9th grade; a handful take boarding students from 6th grade.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private school cost by grade level?
Private school costs vary by grade: elementary (K–5) averages $11,100/year nationally, middle school (grades 6–8) averages $12,350/year, and high school (grades 9–12) averages $14,200/year. These are all-types national averages from NCES data, projected to 2026. Religious schools run about 35% below these figures; independent schools run about 100% above.
What is the average private middle school tuition in California in 2026?
Average private middle school tuition in California in 2026 is approximately $18,000–$20,000/year across all school types. Catholic and religious middle schools run $10,000–$15,000. Independent middle schools average $28,000–$38,000 statewide, with Los Angeles and Bay Area schools reaching $42,000–$56,000. These figures are projected from the 2021–22 NCES California baseline at 4% annual growth.
What is the average private high school tuition in California for 2025–2026?
Average private high school tuition in California for 2025–2026 runs $20,000–$23,000/year across all school types. Catholic high schools average $14,000–$18,000. Independent high schools average $35,000–$50,000 in metro areas. Boarding schools in California range from $55,000–$75,000 including room and board. Apply the 15% high school premium to any school’s published middle school rate to estimate their high school cost.
Why does private high school cost more than elementary?
Private high school costs about 15% more than the same school’s elementary rate. The premium reflects AP and IB teachers (higher credentials and pay), a college counseling department, varsity athletics with paid coaches and travel, and science lab facilities. Elementary schools spread these costs over more students with simpler programs.
How much does private school cost from K–12?
At national averages: 6 years of elementary at $11,100 = $66,600; 3 years of middle school at $12,350 = $37,050; 4 years of high school at $14,200 = $56,800. Total K–12 at national averages: about $160,450 before financial aid and before factoring in annual tuition increases of 3–5%. Independent schools: $22,500 + $25,000 + $28,750/year — roughly $330,000 for the full K–12 span.
What is the cheapest private school option at each grade level?
Religious schools offer the lowest tuition at every grade level: approximately $7,200 for elementary, $8,000 for middle school, and $9,200 for high school nationally. Parish-subsidized Catholic schools in the South and Midwest sometimes charge $4,000–$6,000 for elementary. The lowest-cost option overall is a religious elementary school in a low-cost state — Mississippi and South Dakota average under $7,000 for all grades combined.
Data: NAIS Annual Tuition Survey, NCEA Catholic School Statistics, NCES Private School Universe Survey, College Board Independent School Aid Research
Last updated: September 2025
How we calculate this · Financial aid is not guaranteed. Contact each school's financial aid office for current aid availability and application deadlines.