Free interactive calculator

Private vs Public School Cost Calculator

Private or public school is often called the $500,000 decision — and most families decide it on gut feel, because the true costs are scattered everywhere. This free calculator pulls them together: tuition, the housing premium near good schools, commuting, after-school care, and state voucher or ESA offsets, projected over all 13 K-12 years. A values-fit scorecard weighs academics, class size, and values fit with weights you set yourself. Voucher figures are estimates that change by state and year — verify your state’s current programs. Everything runs in your browser; nothing leaves your device.

Little Ledger Co.

Private vs Public School Decision

Private school or public school — which truly costs YOUR family less?

We add up tuition, the housing premium near good public schools, school-run driving, after-school care, and any voucher/ESA help — so you compare true yearly costs, not sticker prices.

Example

The Millers, 2 kids — public school wins at $16,104/yr, $505/month less than the private-school path at $22,512/yr (after an Arizona ESA estimate).

How to use

  1. Guide me (default): answer 6 plain-English questions — we'll fill in the details and show our work.
  2. Check the summary, tap any value to adjust it, or flip to "I know my numbers" for the full sliders.
  3. Green highlights the cheaper true cost. Estimates are always labeled.
+ New here? The 30-second version

Tuition is only part of the price. A "free" public school can cost more than you think once you add the pricier neighborhood, the longer school run, and after-school care — while a voucher or ESA can shrink private tuition a lot.

Answer a few questions and we'll do the math. Tap any whenever a term looks unfamiliar.

Your results

Net annual cost = tuition + housing premium + commute + after-school care − voucher/ESA offset .

Little Ledger Co. — for personal use only
Provided "as is" for educational purposes only — not tax, legal, financial, or benefits advice. Voucher/ESA figures are estimates — verify with your state's program or a qualified professional. Liability limited to the amount paid.

Common questions

Is this school cost calculator free?

Yes — free in your browser, no account or signup required.

Is private school worth the cost?

Financially, it depends on tuition, the housing premium for good public schools in your area, and available vouchers — the calculator answers it for your numbers. Families also weigh academics, class size, and values fit, which is why the scorecard is part of the tool.

What are school vouchers and ESAs?

State programs that direct public education dollars to families for private school tuition or education expenses. Availability and amounts vary widely by state and change often — the calculator treats them as estimates you verify locally.

Where is my data stored?

Only in your browser’s local storage, so your numbers are there when you return. Nothing is sent to us or any third party.

Is this financial advice?

No. It is an educational estimating tool, not tax, legal, financial, or education advice. Confirm decisions with a qualified professional.

Want the full kit?

This free calculator is one tool from our 10-tool K-12 School Decision Toolkit — the downloadable version on Etsy adds the Excel workbook, school tour checklists, an admissions timeline planner, voucher eligibility trackers, 529 savings planners, financial aid estimators, and more.

Get the full toolkit on Etsy