Private Middle School Tuition 2026: Cost by State (Grades 6–8)
Private middle school tuition averages $12,350/year nationally — the same as the all-grades average since schools price middle school near their baseline. Religious schools run $8,000. Independent schools average $25,000. Middle school is where tuition starts to look different from the elementary rate.
2026 Middle School Tuition at a Glance
Middle School Tuition by School Type (National Average)
Source: NCES Private School Universe Survey. Grades 6–8.
| School Type | Annual Tuition | Per Month | 3 years Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Religious school | $8,000 | $800 | $24,000 |
| Montessori | $12,500 | $1,250 | $37,500 |
| National average (all types) | $12,350 | $1,240 | $37,100 |
| Independent school | $25,000 | $2,500 | $75,000 |
Private Middle School Cost by State
All-type average tuition with 0% grade-level adjustment. Source: NCES. Sorted by all-school average.
| State | All Schools | Religious | Independent |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $26,850 | $15,500 | $45,200 |
| Massachusetts | $22,500 | $12,200 | $45,800 |
| Connecticut | $21,350 | $11,800 | $42,500 |
| New York | $20,150 | $11,500 | $42,800 |
| New Hampshire | $17,850 | $10,200 | $38,500 |
| New Jersey | $16,750 | $10,800 | $35,800 |
| Vermont | $16,250 | $9,800 | $35,500 |
| California | $15,680 | $10,200 | $30,500 |
| Maryland | $15,450 | $10,500 | $32,500 |
| Rhode Island | $14,850 | $9,500 | $32,500 |
| Virginia | $14,250 | $9,800 | $28,500 |
| Hawaii | $14,200 | $9,100 | $26,500 |
| Washington | $13,450 | $9,200 | $28,800 |
| Pennsylvania | $13,250 | $8,500 | $30,800 |
| Maine | $13,250 | $8,200 | $28,500 |
| Delaware | $12,800 | $8,500 | $24,200 |
| Colorado | $12,450 | $8,100 | $24,500 |
| Illinois | $12,350 | $7,800 | $28,500 |
| Oregon | $12,150 | $8,200 | $24,500 |
| Texas | $11,450 | $7,800 | $24,200 |
| Georgia | $11,250 | $7,800 | $22,800 |
| Nevada | $11,200 | $7,800 | $22,500 |
| Alaska | $10,850 | $7,200 | $19,500 |
| Tennessee | $10,650 | $7,500 | $22,500 |
| Florida | $10,450 | $7,200 | $21,500 |
| North Carolina | $10,250 | $7,200 | $21,500 |
| Arizona | $9,880 | $7,400 | $18,900 |
| Minnesota | $9,850 | $6,800 | $22,500 |
| Michigan | $9,250 | $6,400 | $19,800 |
| New Mexico | $9,250 | $6,500 | $18,500 |
| Ohio | $9,150 | $6,500 | $21,200 |
| South Carolina | $8,950 | $6,500 | $18,500 |
| Utah | $8,950 | $6,200 | $17,800 |
| Missouri | $8,750 | $6,200 | $20,500 |
| Wisconsin | $8,650 | $5,800 | $19,500 |
| Wyoming | $8,450 | $5,800 | $16,200 |
| Indiana | $8,450 | $6,200 | $17,500 |
| Alabama | $8,250 | $6,150 | $16,800 |
| Montana | $8,150 | $5,500 | $15,800 |
| Kentucky | $8,150 | $6,000 | $17,800 |
| Kansas | $7,850 | $5,500 | $16,200 |
| Oklahoma | $7,650 | $5,500 | $15,800 |
| Idaho | $7,650 | $5,200 | $14,800 |
| Nebraska | $7,450 | $5,200 | $16,200 |
| Iowa | $7,250 | $5,100 | $15,200 |
| West Virginia | $7,250 | $5,200 | $14,500 |
| Arkansas | $7,150 | $5,400 | $14,200 |
| North Dakota | $6,850 | $4,800 | $13,500 |
| Louisiana | $6,850 | $5,100 | $16,500 |
| Mississippi | $6,450 | $4,800 | $12,800 |
| South Dakota | $6,250 | $4,500 | $12,800 |
Why Middle School Tuition Is the Benchmark
When a school posts its “tuition,” that number is usually for the middle grades. It’s the baseline. Elementary runs about 10% below it; high school runs about 15% above it. So the middle school number tells you the most about what a given school actually costs.
Middle school is also where tuition increases tend to accelerate. Schools invest more in specialized subject teachers, sports programs, and extracurriculars starting around grade 6. That spending shows up in the bill.
Middle School vs. Elementary: The Real Difference
At a religious school charging $7,200 for elementary, middle school runs around $8,000. At an independent school charging $22,500 for elementary, the middle school rate is likely $25,000 or more. The percentage gap is consistent; the dollar gap widens with school type.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does private middle school cost per year?
Private middle school (grades 6–8) averages $12,350/year nationally—the same as the all-grades national average since schools price middle school at their baseline rate. Religious schools run around $8,000/year; independent schools average $25,000/year. Over three years: $37,050 at the national average.
How does private middle school tuition compare to elementary?
Middle school tuition runs about 10% higher than the same school’s elementary rate. At a religious school where elementary is $7,200, middle school is typically $8,000. At an independent school where elementary is $22,500, middle school runs around $25,000. The jump reflects more specialized subject teachers starting in grade 6.
Is private middle school worth the cost?
Private middle school attracts families who want smaller class sizes (average 12:1 vs. 20:1 in public schools), structured environments during a socially complex age, and continuity in a school where they’ll continue through high school. The value depends heavily on local public middle school quality and what’s available in your area.
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.