Private Schools Cost in Los Angeles (2026)
Quick Answer
Partially verifiedPrivate school tuition in Los Angeles varies widely, but a realistic typical range is about $15,000 to $45,000 per year, with some elite day schools charging over $50,000 annually. Verified examples from major Los Angeles independent schools show annual tuition commonly in the mid-$30,000s to low-$50,000s depending on grade level.
Overview
In Los Angeles, private school costs depend heavily on the type of school, year group and whether the school is a faith-based parish school, an independent day school or a specialised international-style programme. Lower-cost options are often Catholic or other religiously affiliated schools, where annual tuition can be in the low-to-mid thousands or low teens, while independent college-preparatory schools in central and west Los Angeles commonly charge well above $30,000 per year. Some of the city’s best-known K-12 day schools now publish tuition above $50,000 for older pupils. Families should also budget for non-tuition costs such as application fees, registration or enrolment deposits, uniforms, technology charges, books, lunch, transport, after-school care and optional trips. In Los Angeles, these extras can add several hundred to several thousand dollars per year depending on the school. Tuition usually differs by division, with lower school often slightly cheaper than middle or upper school. For domestic versus international families, many day schools publish one standard tuition rate for all admitted pupils rather than separate domestic and international fees. However, international families may face additional costs for English-language support, document handling, health insurance or visa-related arrangements if applicable. Boarding is far less common within Los Angeles itself than day schooling, so most published prices in the city are annual day-school tuition.
What It Costs
| Item | Cost | Evidence |
|---|---|---|
| Typical Los Angeles private school tuition(per year) Estimated range based on typical market rates across Los Angeles private day schools, using verified published tuition examples from major local schools and broader California private-school market patterns. | ~$15,000 – $45,000 | Estimated range |
| Harvard-Westlake School tuition(per year) Published annual tuition for the school year listed on the official admissions page. | ~$52,550 – $52,550 | Estimated range |
| Marlborough School tuition(per year) Published annual tuition on the official tuition and financial aid page. | ~$54,500 – $54,500 | Estimated range |
| Brentwood School tuition(per year) Officially published tuition varies by division; lower school is lower than middle and upper school. | ~$37,300 – $51,400 | Estimated range |
| Loyola High School tuition(per year) Published annual tuition on the official admissions page. | $26,450 – $26,450 | Verified from source |
| Los Angeles Catholic elementary school tuition(per year) Estimated range based on typical parish and Catholic elementary school fee levels in Los Angeles; many schools in the archdiocesan network publish their own tuition separately rather than in one central schedule. | $5,000 – $15,000 | Partially verified |
What’s Typically Included
- Core day-school tuition usually covers standard classroom instruction
- Some schools include books or lunch, but many charge these separately
- Sports, arts, trips, transport and after-school care may involve extra fees
Regulator / licensing: California Department of Education
Variants & Configurations
Duration
Tuition is normally charged for one academic year, typically around 9-10 months of schooling.
How Fees Work
Most Los Angeles private schools quote annual tuition. Families may then pay additional one-off application or enrolment fees and, in some cases, monthly or term-based payment-plan charges.
Factors Affecting Price
- Whether the school is independent, religious/parish-based, or highly selective college-preparatory
- Year group or division, with middle and upper school often costing more than lower school
- Location and campus facilities, especially in high-cost neighbourhoods on the Westside or central Los Angeles
- Additional compulsory fees such as enrolment deposits, technology, books, uniforms and lunch
- Financial aid availability, which can significantly reduce net cost for qualifying families
Local Context
Los Angeles is a high-cost education market, especially for independent day schools in affluent areas such as Brentwood, Bel Air, Hancock Park and nearby Westside districts. Quoted tuition is generally before financial aid and does not include optional extras. There is no tipping involved, and sales tax is not usually a main issue for tuition itself, though taxable purchases such as uniforms or supplies may add to family costs.
Some figures here are still being verified.
Where a verified figure isn’t available yet, we say so rather than guess. For the most current pricing, check the official source below.
All figures are in US dollars and are usually quoted as annual tuition for one academic year.
Sources & References
Every price on this page is traced to a documented source. Last checked 24 September 2026.
- Loyola High School of Los Angeles · provider
Published annual tuition for a major Catholic private high school in Los Angeles.
- Archdiocese of Los Angeles Catholic Schools · official
Official network of Catholic schools in Los Angeles; supports the existence of a broad lower-cost private school segment, though fees are generally school-specific.
- California Department of Education · government
State education authority relevant to private school oversight context in California.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average cost of private school in Los Angeles?+
A sensible working range is about $15,000 to $45,000 per year, but elite independent schools can exceed $50,000 annually. Religious schools are often cheaper than top independent day schools.
Are there separate domestic and international tuition rates?+
Often no. Many Los Angeles day schools publish one tuition rate for all admitted pupils. International families may still pay extra administrative, language-support or documentation-related costs depending on the school.
Do Los Angeles private schools charge more for older children?+
Usually yes. Many schools price lower school below middle or upper school, although some publish one flat tuition for all divisions.
What extra costs should families expect beyond tuition?+
Common extras include application fees, enrolment deposits, uniforms, books, technology, lunch, transport, after-school care and activity or trip charges.
Can financial aid reduce the cost?+
Yes. Many independent and faith-based schools in Los Angeles offer need-based financial aid, and some also offer sibling discounts or parishioner rates in religious schools.
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Check current prices at the official source
California Department of Education
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