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Prep School Tuition 2026

Prep school (college preparatory school) tuition runs $28,000–$55,000/year for day schools and $55,000–$75,000 all-in for boarding schools. Day prep school in major cities often costs as much as boarding prep in smaller markets.

Prep School Tuition by Type (2026)

Annual tuition (day) or all-in cost including room and board (boarding). Source: NAIS, individual school websites.

School Type Low End Typical Top Schools
Day Prep — Lower School (K–8) $22,000 $34,000 $55,000
Day Prep — Upper School (9–12) $28,000 $40,000 $62,000
Boarding Prep (all-in) $52,000 $63,000 $75,000
7-day Boarding (most selective) $62,000 $69,000 $80,000+

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What Top Prep Schools Offer

Academic programs:

  • • 20–30+ AP courses or full IB programme
  • • College counseling starting grade 9
  • • Independent research and thesis programs
  • • Average class size: 12–14 students

Additional costs:

  • • Activity and technology fees: $1,000–$3,000/year
  • • Sports: $500–$2,000/sport
  • • College application fees and test prep: $3,000–$8,000
  • • Boarding extras (laundry, food allowance): $2,000–$5,000

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Boarding School Cost

Tuition, room, and board all-in estimates

International & IB School Cost

IB programme tuition and fees

Financial Aid Calculator

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Most Expensive Private Schools

Top-cost schools by state

Updated March 2026. Tuition data from NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) member school published rates and individual school websites. Boarding costs are all-in where stated. Updated March 2026.

Prep School Cost: Day vs. Boarding

Prep school (short for college preparatory school) refers to private secondary schools focused on preparing students for selective college admission. The term is loosely defined: most private high schools claim to be college preparatory. In practice, "prep school" usually means a school with full AP or IB offerings, dedicated college counseling, competitive athletics and arts programs, and a track record of placing students at selective universities.

Day prep tuition ranges from $28,000 to $62,000/year at the upper school level. The wide range reflects geography and selectivity: a well-regarded prep school in Indianapolis might charge $29,000; the same caliber school on the Upper East Side of Manhattan charges $58,000. The credential quality at the top schools in each market is broadly similar; you're largely paying for zip code premium in the latter case.

Boarding prep school, the category that includes Exeter, Andover, Deerfield, Choate, and similar institutions, runs $62,000–$75,000/year all-in as of 2026. The figure includes tuition, room, board, and standard fees. Add $2,000–$5,000 for personal expenses, travel, and activity fees. The top 30 boarding prep schools in the U.S. are genuinely selective — acceptance rates at Andover and Exeter run 15–20% — and the endowments are large enough to provide meaningful financial aid.

Financial aid at top prep schools is real and well-funded. Andover commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need. Exeter and other major schools have billion-dollar-plus endowments and substantial scholarship budgets. A family earning $80,000/year could pay $15,000–$25,000/year at a school charging $65,000. Families earning $150,000–$200,000 in high-cost markets may still qualify for partial aid. The SSS (School and Student Services) application is the standard process.

The value question is the hardest one. Prep school alumni networks are real and persistent in finance, law, medicine, and government. College placement at top boarding prep schools consistently produces disproportionate representation at HYPS and other highly selective colleges. Whether the network is worth $250,000–$300,000 over four years depends entirely on what the student does with the opportunity. The schools provide the environment; outcomes depend on the student.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does prep school cost per year?
Day prep school tuition averages $28,000–55,000/year for upper school (grades 9–12) and $22,000–45,000 for lower and middle school. Boarding prep school runs $52,000–75,000/year all-in including room and board. The most selective boarding schools (Andover, Exeter, Groton, Deerfield) charge $62,000–75,000+ as of 2026. Day prep costs vary significantly by market: New York, Boston, and DC average $45,000–62,000 at upper-tier schools; comparable schools in other markets average $28,000–40,000.
Is prep school worth the cost?
The financial case for prep school is strongest when: (1) a strong public school alternative is not available or not appropriate for the student, (2) the student will actively use the academic resources and alumni network, (3) financial aid reduces the cost significantly. Top boarding prep schools consistently place students at highly selective universities at rates well above the national average. The alumni networks at schools like Andover, Exeter, and comparable day schools are genuinely influential in certain industries. Whether $250,000–300,000 over four years is worthwhile depends on the student, the scholarship offer, and whether alternatives were seriously evaluated.
What is the most affordable prep school?
The most affordable well-regarded prep schools tend to be: (1) day prep schools outside major metros, which charge $22,000–35,000/year for comparable academic quality; (2) schools with substantial financial aid programs — Andover and Exeter meet 100% of demonstrated financial need, so a family with $80,000 in income might pay $15,000–25,000/year at a $65,000/year school; (3) public magnet schools with IB or advanced programs, which offer competitive college placement at no tuition cost. The 'most affordable prep school' question is often better reframed as 'what is our net cost after financial aid?'
How do I apply to boarding prep school?
Top boarding prep school applications involve: SSAT or ISEE standardized testing (prep schools use these instead of the PSAT), transcripts from grades 6–8, two or three teacher recommendation letters, a student essay or personal statement, and an in-person or video interview. The most selective schools (Andover, Exeter, Deerfield) have 10–20% acceptance rates. Apply in 8th grade for 9th grade enrollment (applications due January–February for fall admission). Financial aid applications are submitted simultaneously, using the School and Student Services (SSS) financial form. Decisions typically come in March.
What financial aid is available at prep schools?
The top boarding prep schools have the strongest financial aid programs in K–12 education. Andover commits to meeting 100% of demonstrated financial need, with no loans. Exeter has a similar commitment. Average aid awards at these schools can be $30,000–50,000+/year. The income range for meaningful aid at a $65,000/year boarding school extends to families earning $200,000–250,000 in high-cost areas. Day prep schools have more limited aid budgets but still offer need-based scholarships. Merit aid is less common at top prep schools than need-based aid; most use need-blind or need-sensitive admissions.

Data Sources

Prep school tuition data: NAIS (National Association of Independent Schools) member school published rates, individual school websites, and NCES Private School Universe Survey 2024–2025. Boarding figures are comprehensive all-in costs where stated. Updated March 2026.

Private School Cost by State

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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.

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