Tuition increases - what’s typical/standard

[Anonymous]

Curious what you all see in terms of yearly tuition increases. I always thought 2-5% was pretty normal. In recent years I’ve been seeing 7-10%, which is feeling a bit on the high side, especially in consecutive years.

[Anonymous]

I have kids at two different privates and both have had increases in the 3-5%. What schools repeatedly increase tuition by 10% a year?

[Anonymous]

ours did 4.51% for 2026-2027

[Anonymous]

OP here. Last year we went up 9%, which was 🥴. This year they just announced 7%…I’m not thrilled. I was able to unhappily accept the big jump last year - previous years had been 2-3%. But to jump another 7% this year, just feels nuts. I needed to gut check to confirm my expectations aren’t off.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Last year we went up 9%, which was 🥴. This year they just announced 7%…I’m not thrilled. I was able to unhappily accept the big jump last year - previous years had been 2-3%. But to jump another 7% this year, just feels nuts. I needed to gut check to confirm my expectations aren’t off.

That is not normal, but perhaps compare the new price to peer schools to better understand.

[Anonymous]

What school OP? Could it indicate some financial viability concern?

[Anonymous]

OP here. I don’t want to say the name of the school. It’s a small community. But if you’re there, you know.

But financial viability is a real concern, IMO. That was the first thought when I saw two years of significant tuition increases. Looking at comparable schools in the area and they are falling at the top of the tuition range. It’s just not making sense.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don’t want to say the name of the school. It’s a small community. But if you’re there, you know.

But financial viability is a real concern, IMO. That was the first thought when I saw two years of significant tuition increases. Looking at comparable schools in the area and they are falling at the top of the tuition range. It’s just not making sense.

I respect that it’s your choice to not say the school, but I don’t understand it. Unless it’s one of the truly micro schools with single-digit grade sizes, there have to be 100+ families (and probably far more) at the school. How is anyone going to identify you from a question about tuition increase with absolutely zero details about your child or family?

[Anonymous]

My kids are at two different schools. I mentally math 7% increase each year.

[Anonymous]

Ours has been 4-5% the past 4 years.

[Anonymous]

My personal feeling is anything over 5% better come with a strong explanation. But I also think that for schools at the top of the range, parents have more and more expectations of what they're paying for, which leads to higher expenses for the school, which raises tuition even higher. And as long as there are people willing to pay that tuition, the cycle will never stop.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don’t want to say the name of the school. It’s a small community. But if you’re there, you know.

But financial viability is a real concern, IMO. That was the first thought when I saw two years of significant tuition increases. Looking at comparable schools in the area and they are falling at the top of the tuition range. It’s just not making sense.

I respect that it’s your choice to not say the school, but I don’t understand it. Unless it’s one of the truly micro schools with single-digit grade sizes, there have to be 100+ families (and probably far more) at the school. How is anyone going to identify you from a question about tuition increase with absolutely zero details about your child or family?

OP, I believe we’re at the same school and have the same concern. To the PP, yes the school has single digit grade sizes and the question was simple. If you can’t answer due to not knowing the school then you don’t have to answer.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:OP here. I don’t want to say the name of the school. It’s a small community. But if you’re there, you know.

But financial viability is a real concern, IMO. That was the first thought when I saw two years of significant tuition increases. Looking at comparable schools in the area and they are falling at the top of the tuition range. It’s just not making sense.

I respect that it’s your choice to not say the school, but I don’t understand it. Unless it’s one of the truly micro schools with single-digit grade sizes, there have to be 100+ families (and probably far more) at the school. How is anyone going to identify you from a question about tuition increase with absolutely zero details about your child or family?

OP, I believe we’re at the same school and have the same concern. To the PP, yes the school has single digit grade sizes and the question was simple. If you can’t answer due to not knowing the school then you don’t have to answer.

It might be helpful to prospective families.

[Anonymous]

Norwood just announced a roughly 4% increase.

[Anonymous]

I have watched the tuition increase over time and consider that when they ask for donations. If next year could be another large tuition increase, how much do you really want to donate?