How much does homeschooling cost?
How much does homeschooling cost?
$700 – $2,800 average cost per year per child
Average cost of homeschooling
The average cost of homeschooling a child is $700 to $2,800 annually, including curriculum materials, books, supplies, field trips, and extracurricular activities. Online homeschooling programs vary more, with costs of $500 to $5,000 per child each year. Prices depend on whether kids receive live instruction or self-guided lessons.
| School | Average cost per year |
|---|---|
| Homeschooling | $700 – $2,800 |
| Online homeschooling | $500 – $5,000 |
| Homeschooling with supplemental tutoring | $700 – $7,000 |
| Homeschooling with a shared private teacher | $12,000 – $35,000 |
| Homeschooling with a private teacher | $35,000 – $70,000 |
| Public school | Free tuition + $100 – $1,000 for extracurriculars |
| Private parochial school | $3,000 – $36,000 |
| Private nonsectarian school | $13,000 – $46,000 |
| Private boarding school | $50,000 – $70,000 |
Homeschooling cost breakdown
Homeschooling costs vary based on the number of kids, curriculum choice, trips, tutoring, and extracurricular activities.
| Factor | Average cost per student annually |
|---|---|
| Curriculum and testing fees | $200 – $800 |
| Books and supplies | $200 – $700 |
| Field Trips | $150 – $300 |
| Extracurricular activities and sports | $150 – $1,000 |
| Part-time tutor or teacher (optional) | $2,300 – $18,000 |
| Shared private teacher (optional) | $11,700 – $34,000 |
| Full-time private teacher (optional) | $35,000 – $68,000 |
| Total cost per year* | $700 – $2,800 |
*Excluding tutors and optional expenses.
Homeschool curriculum cost
Homeschool curriculums cost $200 to $800 per pupil every year. Parents can customize the course selection for each subject or invest in a holistic 36-week package. The cost per student decreases annually if you reuse the curriculum for younger children or share it among families.
Although the curriculum is typically the most expensive part of homeschooling, discounted courses are available through some online learning centers.
Homeschool supplies prices
Homeschool supplies prices are $200 to $700 for books, tech devices, and stationery. Creating the classroom setting costs more in the beginning, but annual expenses decrease as these supplies are reused. Printing fees vary greatly according to your home office equipment.
Private homeschool teacher
The cost to hire a private homeschool teacher is $1,300 to $7,600 per month depending on whether your child attends small group classes or one-on-one sessions. Such a teacher manages the entire planning and teaching process, facilitating homeschooling for working parents.
Save up to half the cost of tuition by collaboratively sharing the cost of a private teacher.
Homeschool tutor cost
A part-time homeschool tutor costs $20 to $80 per hour. Parents frequently employ student tutors for budget-friendly options or experienced tutors to tackle tougher subjects. Higher costs may apply according to the credentials and experience of the tutor. Online tutoring programs offer packages that cost $20 to $200 per month.
Extracurricular activities and sports prices
Extracurricular activities and sports registration prices are $150 to $1,000 per academic year. Sports like ice hockey and golf come with hefty equipment expenses. Solo sports like gymnastics, swimming, and diving require professional private instruction, thus increasing the cost.
Additional fees apply for music, language, art lessons, and sports training programs:
Guitar lessons cost $40 to $60 per hour.
Golf lessons cost $50 to $100 per hour.
Piano lessons cost $40 to $80 per hour.
Karate lessons cost $20 to $80 per hour.
Dance lessons cost $50 to $85 per hour.
Regular gymnastics classes cost $15 to $25 per session.
Art classes include drawing, painting, and digital arts.
Baseball training is available in most locations.
Cost of field trips & camps
The cost of field trips and camps starts at $150 to $300 per year for passes to neighborhood museums and educational centers. The average summer camp costs $50 to $500 per week for day camp. These trips provide great opportunities for socializing your children and helping them develop independence.
Additional costs to homeschool your child
Extra costs to homeschool your child vary according to their needs:
Social events – Costs increase for taking many field trips and signing your child up to take lessons in sports, dance, or music.
Food – Grocery bills go up when kids eat at home all day rather than eating free food or discounted meals at a public-school cafeteria.
Back-to-school expenses – Typical school supply fees still apply for textbooks, workbooks, craft supplies, internet access, computers or tablets, and science projects.
Online homeschooling cost
Online homeschooling costs $500 to $5,000 annually, or more for full-time online programs from private institutions with extra webinars. The benefit of a completely online program is that parents have less responsibilities since kids are taught remotely.
Certain school districts and non-profit organizations provide complimentary remote courses to help kids graduate from high school and pass their SAT exams. To cater to diverse learning preferences, both self-directed and real-time classes are available.
Homeschool tax credits & tax deductibles
Most states don't offer homeschool tax credits or deductibles. Parents still have to pay local taxes that support public schools even when homeschooling their children.
However, these states do offer tax credits or deductions for homeschooling:
Iowa has a variable tax credit that depends on the total annual school expenses.
Minnesota allows a $1,600 to $2,500 deduction for qualifying education fees.
Louisiana permits homeschool tax deductions up to $5,000 per year.
Illinois lets families claim up to $750 annually as an educational tax deduction.
Indiana lets you write off homeschool expenses of up to $1,000 annually.
Ohio allows a deduction of up to $250 for home-education expenses.
Ask an accountant how to get federal tax deductions if your child has special needs that require learning Braille or sign language.
Cost of homeschooling vs. public school
The cost of homeschooling is $700 to $2,800 per year while public school tuition is free. Homeschooling fees vary according to the amount of supplemental tutoring needed, and additional public-school fees vary by location.
Homeschooling fees include the curriculum, books, materials, and extracurricular activities.
Public schooling charges extra for computer access, class supplies, after-school sports, field trips, and extracurricular pursuits that cost $200 to $1,500 annually.
Alternatively, private schooling tuition costs $5,000 to $40,000 annually per student.
Financial benefits of homeschooling
Homeschooling is typically less expensive than private schools. Some financial benefits of homeschooling include:
Save on babysitting expenses. Childcare costs $400 to $1,500 per month on average.
Provide more nutritious meals than public-school cafeteria choices.
Enjoy cheaper family vacations when booked in off-peak holiday times due to the flexible class schedule.
Skip contributions for school fundraising activities.
Get reduced transportation costs due to no daily commute to school.
Homeschool FAQs
Can you homeschool kids for free?
Switching from public to homeschool education is free, but you have to pay for the curriculum, textbooks, and other materials for creating a homeschooling environment.
Do parents get paid to homeschool?
Parents do not get paid directly to homeschool their children. However, some states have scholarship programs to reduce homeschooling expenses for those who need financial assistance. Schools that close during a pandemic will offer classes remotely with teachers who continue to grade lessons.
How can I save money on homeschooling?
Save money on homeschooling with the following tips:
Explore budget-friendly or free educational programs at community centers or libraries.
Find a homeschooling group that splits the costs of resources and materials.
Search for used books or curriculums with books available at your library.
Pick a curriculum suitable for multiple grade levels to share with several kids.
Apply for state tax breaks or rebates related to homeschooling.
Buy educational materials in large quantities during sales or on tax-free days.
Utilize complimentary online tools such as educational websites and podcasts.
Search for discounted web-based courses offered by various school districts.
Buy annual passes to local museums, zoos, nature parks, or educational centers.
What is required to homeschool your child?
Requirements to homeschool your child vary slightly from state to state. Some education boards expect to see curriculum plans or regular student assessments. The Home School Legal Defense Association provides information on state-specific homeschooling requirements.
What is the best homeschooling program?
The best homeschooling program for your child is one that suits your kid's learning style, the parents' schedule, family priorities, and your budget. The program can include part-time teachers online, better-qualified tutors for special needs students, or parents teaching full-time.
Why do people choose homeschooling?
People typically choose homeschooling for their children to give them highly individualized learning and gain more control over the school calendar.
Other benefits include:
No bullying or social pressures from a public-school setting
Freedom for the child to get ahead in a subject they excel at
Greater safety by limiting the child's exposure to violence and drugs
Flexibility to add ethical or religious teachings along with these subjects
Can I homeschool my child temporarily?
Legally, all parents can homeschool their children temporarily or at any time for any reason as long as they follow the state requirements to do so. Emergency homeschooling helps in the event of health issues, safety concerns, or family relocation.
If you plan to enroll your child back into public school later, be careful to keep their homeschooling at the same pace as the school curriculum in your state.
Do colleges and employers accept homeschool diplomas?
Homeschool diplomas are generally accepted by colleges and employers. For competitive universities, additional documents like high school transcripts, community service records, standardized test results, and completion affidavits may be necessary.
Finding and hiring a private tutor or teacher for homeschooling
Before hiring a private tutor or teacher for homeschooling, be sure to:
Ask reliable friends or course instructors who they'd recommend.
Search for someone who has taught the required subjects and grade levels of your kids for years.
Verify their educational qualifications and accreditations.
Check the reviews that other parents gave them on TrustedCare or Google.
Meet with a minimum of 3 teachers to see who suits your schedule, your child's learning style, and your budget the best.
Questions to ask
Ask the following questions to find the best private homeschool teacher:
How many years of teaching or tutoring experience do you have?
Can you share your educational qualifications?
Have you taught the subjects my child has to learn before?
How do you tailor the lessons to my child's abilities?
Can you describe your overall approach to education?
How do you track a student's growth?
What if my child doesn't meet the curriculum goals on time?
When and how will you update me on my child's progress?
Do you collaborate with my child's other educators?
When are you available to tutor?
Where will the lessons take place?
How much time does each session take?
What's your rate per hour?
Are there any hidden costs for materials or tests?
What should I do if I need to cancel a lesson and reschedule?