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How Much Does Homeschooling Cost?

Similar to remote vs office, homeschooling vs traditional school is a decent alternative if you want to save money on commute, uniforms, and tuition, and know how to make it right. As a private tutor at Brighterly, I’ll share with you how much is homeschooling in 2025 and what’s important to keep in mind while switching to this model if you want to make it work for your child. 

Key points

• Even though the average cost of homeschooling is from $500 to $2,500 per year, the final price you’ll pay will depend on the number of extra factors. 
• Among the hidden costs of homeschooling, expect to pay extra for curriculum, supplies, extracurricular activities, and food.
• Even with the hidden costs, homeschooling is much cheaper compared to public and private schools.
• Brighterly offers affordable homeschool programs with the best balance between tutoring quality and the price paid for it.

What is the average cost of homeschooling?

The average range for the homeschooling cost is between $500-700 to $1,800-2,500 per year, based on the information from tutoring marketplaces like Tutors.com.

The range of how much does homeschool cost is so wide due to the importance of several factors in calculating the final price:

• The tutoring platform chosen
• The curriculum and testing fees cost
• The need for educational supplies like pens, books or lab equipment
• Possible expenses on extracurricular activities
• Cooperative fees

As it’s hard to provide one number that will address every child’s need, the answer to “How expensive is homeschooling?” can only be a range. Later in this guide, I’ll show you how to make each of these factors work to your advantage so you can calculate the average price that works for you.

How much is homeschooling popular in the US?

Homeschooling in the US is gaining more and more popularity. According to Prosperity of America, over 3.7 million children are being educated under the homeschooling model. Given that the US Census Bureau estimates 54.1 million K-12 students in the school year 2025-2026, that’s around 7% homeschooled children from all the US population. 

Based on the EdChoice state data, the most popular homeschooling is in Alaska (10.3%), North Carolina (8.6%) and Nevada (5.7%).

What are the perspectives on homeschooling costs?

Generally, the homeschooling trend is increasing year by year. And there’s no wonder: given the negative consequences of pandemic learning loss and the rising popularity of alternative online tutoring solutions, homeschool courses seem like a decent option for families who want to catch up or excel in their subjects. And with the growing demand, the homeschooling prices can dramatically change in response.

How much does online homeschooling cost? Comparing prices on tutoring

Given that platform choice is among the top factors that affect how much does it cost to homeschool a child, this table will show you the typical prices on the top homeschool platforms. In addition to the cost of homeschooling, the overview of programs also contains key features that you can expect for your money and the Trustpilot rating they’ve already gained for their services.

	Trustpilot rating	Key features	Home school price
Brighterly	4.4	1:1, real-time tutoring (math, reading, ELA) Award-winning curriculum	From $17.3/lesson (plus free math and reading worksheets and tests)
Miacademy	4.3	Short teaching videos Self-paced learning	From $48/month
IXL Learning	1.7	Core subject practice Real-time analytics	From $9.95/month
Acellus Academy	4.8	Accredited online school Prerecorded video lessons	From $249/month
Power Homeschool	4.7	Parent-guided learning Gap-based education	From $99/month
Bridgeway Academy	4.4	Accredited online school 1:1 advisor support	$21,000 annual tuition
ABCmouse	1.3	Game-based learning Early childhood education	From $14.99/month
Northgate Academy	N/A	Christian-based curriculum Value-inspired home learning	From $1,950 annual tuition
Reading Eggs	3.2	Elementary school reading curriculum 3,000+ book library	From $9.9/month
Sylvan Learning	3.2	High personalization Sylvan Insight™ Assessment	From $50/lesson
Kumon	4	30-minute short session Drill-based tasks	Around $165/month
Outschool	4.4	30,000 programs available Learning marketplace	From $70/month

Here are the key insights from this comparison table:

• If you want a top-rated service, expect to pay the highest homeschool costs on the market (Acellus Academy: rating 4.8, price $249/month; Power Homeschool: rating 4.7, price $99/month; Bridgeway Academy: rating 4.4, home school tuition $21,000/year).
• Platforms like Kumon, Power Homeschool, and Miacademy offer pre-recorded sessions, so they expect a higher involvement of parents in the homeschooling process compared to other tutoring platforms.
• Bridgeway Academy has the highest homeschool prices in 2025, but the level of customer satisfaction and the range of services provided are relevant for this tuition.
• IXL Learning is the most affordable homeschool platform on the list, but it also has one of the lowest Trustpilot satisfaction scores on the list.
• Brighterly will help you homeschool for a decent homeschool teacher cost compared to other high-rated platforms with top-notch private tutoring services in this overview.

For a more detailed review of each of the platforms in the table, check out the list of the best homeschool programs and best homeschool reading curriculum guides.

How does Brighterly make the cost of home schooling effective and affordable?

To address the need for affordable price yet effective homeschool education, Brighterly math and reading platform offers 1:1 personalized live sessions with expert tutors who pay 100% attention to your child and offer the curriculum fully aligned with the US state standards. This way, the homeschool programs address the need for proper education and show results in terms of academic performance.

Brighterly platform: Top features

• Individual sessions with expert math and reading tutors
• Homeschool programs aligned with US state standards
• Wide range of free supporting materials

Individual sessions with expert math and reading tutors

Math and reading tutors help kids feel more confident about the topics learned and actually understand them. They usually build strong bonds with the kids, follow the way they learn, and pick the most suitable study methods. They’re patient, friendly, and open-minded, thus making kids less afraid of asking questions and calmer about making mistakes.

Homeschool programs aligned with US state standards

Each math lesson under the Brighterly math homeschool program will be customized to your kids’ needs yet aligned with the US state standards. STEM-based, personalized learning programs help kids apply their knowledge to solving complex real-life problems, making them more adaptable and prepared for future career opportunities.

Similar to math, Brighterly reading program offers tailored learning programs with interactive classes. By completing plenty of dedicated tasks, kids can build a strong reading foundation and develop critical thinking abilities. 

Wide range of free supporting materials

Brighterly offers open access to its knowledge base that contains downloadable practice sheets and diagnostic tests for both math and reading. They include a wide range of interactive tasks broken down into separate topics and divided by grade to practice after classes or during 1:1 tutoring sessions.

Also, free math worksheets include topics on simplifying fractions, counting money, systems of linear inequalities, dividing decimals, and others. Reading worksheets are dedicated to text structure, vowels, making inferences, reading comprehension, idioms, poetic devices, and other reading-related topics.

How much does homeschooling cost per year at Brighterly?

The average Brighterly cost per year will be around $210 (if you go for 3 classes per week under a 12-month plan), which is very affordable compared to the average cost for homeschooling. 

Brighterly cost: Details

• Learning Membership 1-month plan: From $20.7 per lesson. 
• Learning Membership 3-month plan: From $20.2 per lesson. 
• Learning Membership 6-month plan: From $19.4 per lesson.
• Learning Membership 12-month plan: From $17.3 per lesson.

*The Brighterly cost varies as the cost above is considered for 3 classes/week.

These are the pricing plans that will show how much is it to be homeschooled on Brighterly. 

Costs of homeschooling vs. public or private school

On average, the homeschooling cost is within the $500-2,500 range per year, with the most expensive platforms on the market reaching $21,000 per year. While still costly, this is significantly lower than private schools that typically charge $32,351 – $71,715 per year. The highest price can reach over $90,000 (for example, in Woodside Priory School and The Athenian School). So, the answer to the question “Is homeschooling cheaper?” is a definite yes in the case of private schools vs the cost of homeschooling. 

While traditional schooling in public schools is generally free, the hidden costs that involve mandatory fees, purchases of technology, textbooks, commute, and extracurricular activities are typically around $1,000-1,500, with $577-$1,223 a year spent on school supplies only. Compared to homeschooling cost, the numbers are roughly the same, but the great benefit of homeschooling is that you, as a parent, can choose what you want to spend on and which expenses to save on.  

Since expenses are one of the first things to consider when choosing an education facility for your child, the average homeschool cost looks more attractive and flexible than expenses at a public or private school. Compared to the most expensive options on the market, you won’t need to break the bank to homeschool your kid. However, be aware that the average cost listed here may not cover everything your kid may need on the way. 

When deciding between the cost to homeschool and spending on public school or private school, ensure that you consider all the expenses per child, your student’s needs, and the environment they will thrive in.

Homeschooling vs private school vs public school: Extra expenses

• When you plan to enroll your children in a public school, the expenses will cover things like field trip fees, school supplies, extracurricular activities, meals, and clothing. That’s how you will end up paying well over $1,000 per child yearly.
• Expenses on private school will include uniforms, field trips, school supplies, laptops, and books. This means the cost will rise, and parents will pay for every child from $30,000 and $90,000 on average depending on a given school. Additional expenses may cover application fees, extracurriculars, room & board, and summer programs.
• If you choose homeschooling, you can spend money on what you need only. Instead of hiring a teacher, a parent may conduct the teaching themselves, which will save money otherwise spent on tuition fees. Further, you will not incur the cost of rent as your children will be learning at home. Another amount you will save includes bus fare and a ton of equipment required for public and private schools.

At the end of the day, when you compare the cost of these three options, you will discover that homeschool cost per year is cheaper than public or private schooling because you will avoid expenses on needless equipment, teachers’ pensions, and principals’ salaries.

The hidden costs of homeschooling: Factors to keep in mind

• Platform’s extras
• Learning supplies
• Home-made food
• Curriculum
• Testing fees
• Parental support
• Outdoor activities
• Utility bills
• Mental health support

1. How platform’s extras affect homeschooling tutor price

Your platform choice and the hidden fees they may have dramatically change the answer to the question, “Is homeschooling expensive?”. In particular, the cost of homeschooling may increase if you decide to apply for extra classes or take up advanced courses. Also, the more time tutors spend on you and the more experienced they are, the higher the learning costs.

2. How learning supplies change the average cost of homeschooling per year

The cost of supplies to use during homeschooling may cover many areas. You will need notebooks, markers, and pencils. Unlike the school setup, where kids utilize school equipment, you will probably have to buy a microscope or other things for conducting lab test activities at home. However, the flexibility of homeschooling is an advantage, as you can choose what to buy, rent, or disregard.

Anyways, bear all the suppliers’ costs for hands-on projects like those necessary for science, art, and crafts, which will increase the overall cost of homeschooling.

3. Home-made food as a hidden cost of home schooling

When your children study at home, they will require at least three meals a day. It takes some effort, planning, and a lot of cash to organize their meals. Somehow, children enjoy home meals more than school lunches, and they become hungrier when studying at home.

Kids will need morning snacks, breakfast, and more snacks at any given break from lesson and dinner. The necessity to feed your kids more frequently when homeschooling them can increase your household budget.

4. Homeschool curriculum cost 

There are many free homeschooling curricula that parents can find online. However, many families prefer to purchase the one that suits their needs. While the average cost of homeschool curriculum is around $200-$700, you may end up spending over $1,000 on a single curriculum. 

Suppose you have children at different grade levels and they all require their own curriculum package; thus, you will have to spend more yearly. Special cognitive abilities can be another cost-affecting factor here. For example, your kid may need a specific   homeschool curriculum for ADHD that some platforms may charge a more expensive price for.

5. How testing fees may affect homeschool teacher cost

The request to prepare for final exams usually costs more for homeschooling. Considering that most tests have their specific structure, types of questions, and require unique approaches, kids will require dedicated test books and materials to get ready. These preparation materials are usually quite costly, so consider increasing your homeschooling budget if you want your kids to ace the tests.

6. Parental support as the greatest hidden cost of homeschooling vs public school

While thinking is homeschool expensive for you, do not disregard the cost you as a parent will pay to provide your kid with the homeschool education they deserve. Most likely, one of the parents may need to quit their full-time job to dedicate enough time and attention to their homeschooled kid. In addition to time, they’ll need access to the specific homeschooling resources for parents to work on with your child.

For parents, choosing to homeschool frequently means taking full responsibility for their kids’ academic future. That’s why I highly recommend hiring private tutors to support the process and reduce the burden.

7. How outdoor activities affect homeschool price

Outdoor activities can raise homeschooling costs with expenses for transportation, equipment, entry fees, and sometimes specialized instructors or guides. At the same time, including them in your homeschooling budget is important as they often enhance educational value through hands-on learning, increasing engagement and retention. 

The outdoor activity with real value for money can improve the overall quality and effectiveness of the curriculum and provide alternative teaching methods for your child.

8. Why utility bills change the cost to homeschool a child

Utility bills can greatly affect homeschooling costs since children stay at home during the day. Due to this, parents working from home while homeschooling face increased utility bills as their households use more energy for lights, computers, printers, and other educational devices. 

New homeschooling families, especially those with children previously in traditional schools, notice these costs more, so be ready to adjust your budget to the new reality.

9. How expensive is homeschooling in terms of mental health support?

Mental health support costs in homeschooling vary from free or low-cost resources to several hundred dollars a month, depending on the exact support needs for your kid. Homeschooling doesn’t necessarily require costly mental health support — it’s the kid’s needs and resources that impact the associated costs.

Many families use free online counseling, community groups, or district services if their kids need mental support. Private counseling or therapy for homeschooled children typically costs $50 to $250 per session, which may include additional expenses for specialized programs.

Conclusion

On average, homeschooling cost per year is much lower compared to the tuition for traditional schools. The popularity of this form of studying is increasing, thus making it a decent alternative worth considering for your child, especially when combined with private tutoring.

With online homeschooling platforms like Brighterly, you can enjoy these benefits:

• Personalized learning: Brighterly personalizes math, reading, and ELA lessons to each child’s level, strengths, and interests, ensuring the curriculum fits their needs and pace. 
• Certified, professional tutors: The dedicated attention and adaptive techniques applied by private tutors help kids feel more engaged and supported.
• Flexible scheduling: Parents can conveniently schedule tutoring sessions that fit into family routines, not adjust to school commutes and their strict schedules.​
• Alignment with the US state standards: Homeschooling curriculum is aligned with the traditional school requirements, thus being a decent alternative to public and private schools. 
• Engaging, interactive methods: Homeschool platforms like Brighterly promote active learning by inspiring curiosity and critical thinking through gamified and interactive lessons. Their tutors are more interested in helping your kid get the “why” of concepts learned, not blindly memorize them.
• Comfortable, safe environment: Children learn most effectively in their home environment, which is familiar and free from stress. This setting benefits introverted or neurodivergent students by reducing distractions and easing anxiety.​
• Standardized testing support: Homeschool tutors can fully assist children in preparing for tests and equip them with practical worksheets and tests to boost their confidence.

Are you ready to try homeschooling? Then book free lesson at Brighterly! Math and reading tutors are ready to show your kid a way to learn math and reading in a fun and engaging way.