About the Private School Cost Calculator
This private school cost calculator projects what K-12 private or independent school will cost your family in total — not just this year’s tuition, but every year until your youngest child graduates. Enter the current annual tuition, the yearly increase the school typically applies, extra costs such as uniforms, trips, transport and activity fees, and how many children will attend and how far apart they are.
It is designed for parents deciding between public and private school, families choosing how many years of private school they can afford (for example only middle and high school), and anyone setting a savings target. The year-by-year chart shows the peak years when several children are enrolled at once, which is when cash flow is tightest.
Sibling discounts are applied to the tuition of the second child and later children in years when an older sibling is enrolled at the same time, which is how most schools structure them. Tuition and extra costs both rise by the same yearly percentage; figures are in future (nominal) dollars.
With the default inputs, the total cost for all children is $732,255.68. Change any value above to recalculate instantly.
How to use the private school cost calculator
- 1Enter the school’s current annual tuition and your estimate of other yearly costs.
- 2Enter the school’s typical yearly tuition increase (check its past fee schedules).
- 3Choose the number of children, how many years each will attend and the gap between them.
- 4Add any sibling discounts the school offers.
- 5Review the total, the peak year and the chart to plan savings and cash flow.
Formula and method
Each school year y (counted from now, so year 0 is the coming year at today’s price) the calculator inflates tuition T and extra costs X by the annual increase g. Child 1 starts after the chosen delay and each later child starts the chosen number of years after the previous one; each attends for the same number of years.
A sibling discount d applies to the tuition (not the extra costs) of the second child, and a separate rate to the third and fourth child, but only in years when at least one older sibling is enrolled at the same time. The total adds every child’s cost in every year they attend; the peak year is the school year with the largest combined bill.
- T
- Current annual tuition
- X
- Other annual costs (fees, uniforms, trips, transport)
- g
- Annual increase in tuition and costs
- d
- Sibling discount rate for that child (0 for the oldest)
- y
- Years from now
Worked examples
One child, K-12, $20,000 tuition
Year one costs $22,000 ($20,000 tuition + $2,000 extras). With 4% yearly increases, the senior year costs $22,000 × 1.04¹² ≈ $35,223, and the 13 years add up to about $365,790.
Two children two years apart with a 10% discount
The second child starts in year 3 and gets 10% off tuition in the 11 years both children are enrolled. Total cost for both is about $732,256 after roughly $29,174 of sibling discounts, spread over 15 school years. The peak is year 13, about $67,243, when both are enrolled at the highest prices.
High school only for three children, no increases
Without price increases, 12 student-years at $30,000 would cost $360,000. Child 2 overlaps child 1 for two years (10% off saves $3,000 each year) and child 3 overlaps child 2 for two years (15% off saves $4,500 each year), so discounts total $15,000 and the bill is $345,000. The peak of $57,000 comes in year 3, when two children are enrolled.
Frequently asked questions
How much does private school cost from K-12?+
At $20,000 a year with 4% annual increases and $2,000 of extras, one child’s K-12 education costs about $366,000 in future dollars. Day-school tuition varies widely: parish and other religious schools are often far cheaper than independent day schools, and top independent schools in major metro areas can charge several times as much, so use your school’s published fee schedule.
How fast does private school tuition increase?+
It varies by school and year, and increases often outpace general inflation. The most reliable estimate is the school’s own history: compare this year’s tuition with the fee schedule from five years ago and use the annualized rate, (today ÷ then)^(1/5) − 1.
How do sibling discounts work?+
Many private schools reduce tuition for the second and later children while an older sibling is enrolled, often by a larger percentage for the third or fourth child. Discounts usually apply to tuition only, not fees, and may be capped or not combined with financial aid.
Can I use a 529 plan for private K-12 tuition?+
Yes. Federal law allows tax-free 529 withdrawals for K-12 tuition at public, private or religious schools of up to $20,000 per student per year for tax years beginning in 2026 (it was $10,000 before). Since July 2025 the K-12 allowance also covers books, curriculum materials, tutoring, standardized test fees and dual-enrollment fees. State tax treatment varies and some states recapture deductions, so check your plan’s rules.
Results are estimates for educational purposes and are not financial advice. Rates, fees and terms vary — confirm with your lender or a licensed advisor before making decisions.