Average Private Middle School Tuition 2026: $8,000–25,000 by State
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
What is the average private middle school tuition?
Private middle school tuition averages $12,350/year nationally in 2026 (NCES data). That’s the same as the all-grades average because schools price middle school at their baseline rate. Religious schools charge around $8,000/year; independent schools average $25,000/year. Three years of private middle school totals $37,050 at the national average.
How much does private middle school cost in California?
Private middle school in California averages $14,500–18,500/year depending on school type, higher than the national average. Religious schools in California typically run $9,000–12,000/year. Independent schools in the Bay Area and Los Angeles run $30,000–45,000. The wide range reflects the difference between a parish school in Fresno and a secular independent school in Palo Alto.
Is private middle school more expensive than elementary?
Yes, by about 10% at most schools. A religious school charging $7,200 for elementary grades typically charges $8,000 for middle school. An independent school at $22,500 for lower school runs around $25,000 for middle school. The increase reflects more specialized subject teachers and expanded sports and extracurricular programs starting in grade 6.
Does private middle school tuition include fees?
Usually no. Posted tuition covers instruction and standard textbooks. Most schools charge additional fees for: registration ($200–$500), technology ($150–$400/year), sports participation ($200–$800/season), field trips, and uniforms ($400–$800/year). Budget $1,000–2,500/year in extras on top of tuition.
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.