PrivateSchoolCost

Private School Cost in Indiana (2026)

Private schools in Indiana average $8,450/year. 32% below national avg. Religious schools run $6,200/year; independent schools average $17,500/year.

State Average

$8,450

per year

Monthly Est.

$704

per month

Private Schools

720

in Indiana

vs National

-$3,900

per year

Tuition by School Type in Indiana

Average annual tuition, 2026 NCES data

Religious Schools

Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based schools.

$6,200/yr

-23% vs national ($8,000)

Independent Schools

Non-religious private day schools and prep schools.

$17,500/yr

-30% vs national ($25,000)

Montessori Schools

Child-led learning programs, typically PK–8.

$10,800/yr

-14% vs national ($12,500)

All Private Schools (Avg)

Blended average across all types.

$8,450/yr

-32% vs national ($12,350)

Cost Range in Indiana

25th Percentile

$4,500

More affordable options

State Average

$8,450

Typical school

75th Percentile

$13,800

Premium schools

Most Indiana private schools fall between $4,500 and $13,800/year. Individual schools vary — always contact the school directly for exact tuition figures.

Can I Afford Private School in Indiana?

Enter your household income to see how Indiana's average tuition fits your budget.

$

Private vs Public in Indiana

Private School (avg)

$8,450

per year, out-of-pocket

  • • Avg class size: 12–15 students
  • • Financial aid available (27% of students)
  • • Specialized curriculum options

Public School

$11,080

per pupil, taxpayer-funded

  • • Avg class size: 16–22 students
  • • Free to attend (hidden costs: $1,500–$5,000/yr)
  • • Quality varies widely by district

Indiana spends $11,080/pupil in public schools (state average). Private schools charge an average of $8,450/year — a gap of $2,630/year less than public per-pupil spending.

Financial Aid in Indiana

About 27% of private school students nationally receive need-based financial aid, averaging 48% of tuition. At Indiana's average of $8,450/year, that's roughly $4,100/year in aid for qualifying families. Most Indiana private schools use FAST or SSS applications — ask the admissions office to start the process.

Learn more about private school financial aid →

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does private school cost in Indiana?

Private school in Indiana averages $8,450/year — 32% below the national average of $12,350/year. Religious schools average $6,200/year; independent schools average $17,500/year. Indiana has approximately 720 private schools. Source: NCES 2023–24.

What is the average private school tuition in Indiana?

The average private school tuition in Indiana is $8,450/year. That breaks down to roughly $704/month on a 12-month payment plan. Religious schools run lower at $6,200/year; independent schools average $17,500/year.

How does Indiana private school cost compare to the national average?

Indiana private school tuition averages $8,450/year, which is 32% below the national average ($12,350/year). Indiana is one of the more affordable states for private education, with a higher share of parish-subsidized religious schools keeping costs down.

How many private schools are in Indiana?

Indiana has approximately 720 private schools. These include religious (Catholic, Christian, Jewish, and other faith-based) schools, independent schools, Montessori programs, and boarding schools. Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey.

Can I afford private school in Indiana?

A common guideline is to keep private school tuition under 10–15% of gross household income. At Indiana's average of $8,450/year, that means a household income of $70,000+ is generally needed without financial stress. About 27% of private school families receive need-based aid averaging 48% of tuition — contact the school's admissions office to learn about aid options.