Private Elementary School Cost 2026: $7,200–22,500 by State
Private elementary school tuition averages $11,100/year nationally. Religious schools run around $7,200. Independent lower schools average $22,500. Elementary is the least expensive phase at most private schools — tuition climbs as your child moves into middle and high school.
2026 Elementary School Tuition at a Glance
Elementary School Tuition by School Type (National Average)
Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey. Grades K–5.
| School Type | Annual Tuition | Per Month | 6 years Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious school | $7,200 | $720 | $43,200 |
| Montessori | $11,250 | $1,130 | $67,500 |
| National average (all types) | $11,120 | $1,110 | $66,700 |
| Independent school | $22,500 | $2,250 | $135,000 |
Private Elementary School Cost by State
All-type average tuition with 10% grade-level adjustment. Source: NCES. Sorted by all-school average.
| State | All Schools | Religious | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $24,170 | $13,950 | $40,680 |
| Massachusetts | $20,250 | $10,980 | $41,220 |
| Connecticut | $19,220 | $10,620 | $38,250 |
| New York | $18,140 | $10,350 | $38,520 |
| New Hampshire | $16,070 | $9,180 | $34,650 |
| New Jersey | $15,080 | $9,720 | $32,220 |
| Vermont | $14,630 | $8,820 | $31,950 |
| California | $14,110 | $9,180 | $27,450 |
| Maryland | $13,910 | $9,450 | $29,250 |
| Rhode Island | $13,370 | $8,550 | $29,250 |
| Virginia | $12,830 | $8,820 | $25,650 |
| Hawaii | $12,780 | $8,190 | $23,850 |
| Washington | $12,110 | $8,280 | $25,920 |
| Pennsylvania | $11,930 | $7,650 | $27,720 |
| Maine | $11,930 | $7,380 | $25,650 |
| Delaware | $11,520 | $7,650 | $21,780 |
| Colorado | $11,210 | $7,290 | $22,050 |
| Illinois | $11,120 | $7,020 | $25,650 |
| Oregon | $10,940 | $7,380 | $22,050 |
| Texas | $10,310 | $7,020 | $21,780 |
| Georgia | $10,130 | $7,020 | $20,520 |
| Nevada | $10,080 | $7,020 | $20,250 |
| Alaska | $9,770 | $6,480 | $17,550 |
| Tennessee | $9,590 | $6,750 | $20,250 |
| Florida | $9,410 | $6,480 | $19,350 |
| North Carolina | $9,230 | $6,480 | $19,350 |
| Arizona | $8,890 | $6,660 | $17,010 |
| Minnesota | $8,870 | $6,120 | $20,250 |
| Michigan | $8,330 | $5,760 | $17,820 |
| New Mexico | $8,330 | $5,850 | $16,650 |
| Ohio | $8,240 | $5,850 | $19,080 |
| South Carolina | $8,060 | $5,850 | $16,650 |
| Utah | $8,060 | $5,580 | $16,020 |
| Missouri | $7,880 | $5,580 | $18,450 |
| Wisconsin | $7,790 | $5,220 | $17,550 |
| Wyoming | $7,610 | $5,220 | $14,580 |
| Indiana | $7,610 | $5,580 | $15,750 |
| Alabama | $7,420 | $5,540 | $15,120 |
| Montana | $7,340 | $4,950 | $14,220 |
| Kentucky | $7,340 | $5,400 | $16,020 |
| Kansas | $7,070 | $4,950 | $14,580 |
| Oklahoma | $6,890 | $4,950 | $14,220 |
| Idaho | $6,890 | $4,680 | $13,320 |
| Nebraska | $6,710 | $4,680 | $14,580 |
| Iowa | $6,530 | $4,590 | $13,680 |
| West Virginia | $6,530 | $4,680 | $13,050 |
| Arkansas | $6,440 | $4,860 | $12,780 |
| North Dakota | $6,170 | $4,320 | $12,150 |
| Louisiana | $6,170 | $4,590 | $14,850 |
| Mississippi | $5,810 | $4,320 | $11,520 |
| South Dakota | $5,630 | $4,050 | $11,520 |
Why Elementary Costs Less Than High School
Elementary school runs 10% below a school’s all-grades average at most institutions. The reason is staffing. Elementary teachers cost less than specialized high school subject teachers, and the curriculum requires fewer expensive resources (labs, advanced equipment, college counseling staff).
That said, the total cost over six years adds up. At the national average of $11,100/year, six years of elementary school comes to roughly $66,600. At an independent school averaging $22,500, the same six years runs $135,000.
What’s Included in Elementary Tuition?
Usually tuition, basic textbooks, and standard classroom supplies. Typically excluded: uniforms ($400–$800/year), enrichment programs, field trips, aftercare, and technology fees. Budget $800–$2,500/year in extras on top of posted tuition.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average private elementary school cost per year?
Private elementary school costs $11,100/year on average nationally (NCES 2026 projection). Religious schools run around $7,200/year; independent lower schools average $22,500/year. Six years of elementary school totals $66,600 at the national average, $43,200 at a religious school, and $135,000 at an independent school.
How much does private elementary school cost per month?
At $11,100/year, private elementary school runs about $1,110/month on a 10-month payment plan. Religious schools bill around $720/month. Independent lower schools average $2,250/month. Most schools offer 10-month plans through services like FACTS or SMART Tuition, which charge a $50–75 enrollment fee.
What affects private elementary school cost?
School type is the biggest factor. Religious schools cost $5,000–12,000/year; independent schools run $15,000–45,000+. Location is second. Connecticut and Massachusetts average above $20,000 statewide; Mississippi and Alabama average under $7,500. Elementary tuition typically runs 10% below the same school's middle school rate.
Is private elementary school worth the cost?
It depends on your local public elementary and your budget. Private elementary schools average 12:1 student-teacher ratios vs. 20:1 in public schools. Research on academic outcomes is mixed for average students but shows stronger benefits for students with learning differences. The strongest case for starting in elementary: continuity through the same school's middle and high school program.
How does private elementary school cost compare to middle and high school?
Elementary runs about 10% below the same school's baseline tuition; high school runs 15% above it. At a religious school: elementary $7,200, middle school $8,000, high school $9,200. At an independent school: elementary $22,500, middle school $25,000, high school $28,750. Starting in elementary means paying the lowest rate for the longest stretch before the higher-grade premium kicks in.
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.