Financing

Financing a Boarding School Education (Updated September 16, 2025)

Sending a child to boarding school is a major financial commitment. With tuition now rivaling or exceeding the cost of many colleges, families are asking how they can realistically make this investment in 2025. The good news is that financial aid, scholarships, and new tuition models are expanding, giving more families access to these opportunities.

This guide provides the latest data, practical advice, and real-world examples to help families plan for a boarding school education in today’s landscape.

Tuition Costs in 2025

Boarding school tuition has continued to rise in recent years, though financial aid is helping offset the increases for many families. According to the National Association of Independent Schools (NAIS):

• The median tuition for seven-day boarding is about $72,000 per year.

• Five-day boarding averages between $58,000–$65,000, depending on region.

• Day tuition is typically lower, averaging $35,000–$40,000. (NAIS)

Individual schools can vary widely. For instance:

• Blue Ridge School (VA) lists 2025–26 seven-day boarding at $68,850 and five-day boarding at $57,500.

• Army and Navy Academy (CA) charges $60,750 for boarding students and $41,800 for day students.

These figures underscore the importance of looking at both sticker price and net cost after aid.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

The majority of boarding schools now provide substantial financial assistance. Trends for 2025 include:

• Between 25% and 40% of boarding school students receive some form of need-based aid. (NAIS)

• The median financial aid award is roughly $21,000–$25,000.

• Elite schools

How Much Does Boarding School Really Cost in 2025?

Every parent asks: “How much will it actually cost?” In 2025, understanding boarding school costs means looking beyond sticker prices to financial aid offerings, student-faculty dynamics, and school-to-school variations. This guide answers the key questions to help you plan confidently.

What Does "Boarding School Cost" Include?

• Tuition covers classes.

• Room and board covers housing, meals, and campus life.

• Additional fees may include tech fees, health services, travel, or supplies (varies by school).

Average Annual Cost in 2025

• Five-day boarding (students return home weekends): about $55,425 per year.

• Seven-day boarding (full-time on campus): around $69,150 per year.
  (raiseright.com)

These numbers reflect national averages, not accounting for school prestige or location.

Cost Range at Leading Schools

Here are representative examples to anchor expectations:

Boarding School Scholarships and Financial Aid: A Parent’s Guide

For many families, the dream of sending a child to boarding school feels out of reach because of high tuition. The reality, however, is that financial aid and scholarships make boarding schools accessible to a wide range of students. In fact, nearly 40–45% of boarding school students receive some form of financial assistance.

This guide explains what types of aid are available, how to apply, and what families can realistically expect to pay in 2025.

Understanding Boarding School Costs

Before diving into scholarships, it helps to understand the full cost of attendance.

• Tuition:Covers academic instruction.

• Room and Board: Includes housing, meals, and student services.

• Additional Fees: Technology, health, activities, textbooks, and travel.

In 2025, the average boarding school tuition is between $60,000 and $80,000 per year, depending on the school and location. Five-day boarding options average around $55,000, while seven-day boarding averages about $69,000.

Types of Boarding School Financial Aid

1. Need-Based Aid

Most aid is need-based and calculated from a family’s income, assets, and household circumstances. Schools typically use third-party evaluators to determine eligibility.

2. Merit Scholarships

Some schools offer awards for academic excellence, artistic talent, athletic ability, or leadership. These scholarships are less common but can significantly reduce tuition.

3. Full-Ride Scholarships and Income Caps

There are only a handful of free boarding schools in the United States. Most were founded many years ago by visionary, community-minded individuals who believed that children from the working class and poor families should have the same educational advantages as children from families with money. The impact these schools have had on society is enormous. The benefits to thousands of students and their families are priceless.

As you read about these schools and watch the videos, remember that all these schools believe emphatically that an education does not consist solely of academics. Each school understands that a child needs nurturing and counseling to make the most of the opportunities before him. In addition, these schools expect the child's family to be involved. His education is a partnership of three: home, school, and student. That's what it takes to provide the solid foundation a child needs to succeed in his adult life.

Girard College, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Stephen Girard was one of the richest men in America when he founded Girard College in Philadelphia. The school is unique in that all students board at the school from 1st grade through 12th. For free. The school serves approximately 580 students in Grades 1-12. Almost 100% of its graduates matriculate to college.

'The school's benefactor, Stephen Girard (1750-1831), left his generous estate to educate and care for needy children. As long as Girard College has existed, all its students have received full scholarships, benefited from strong academic and

Families who live outside the United States and who are not American citizens or Permanent Residents have to deal with a couple of additional steps when thinking of sending their children to an American boarding school. In 2021 the pandemic has made boarding school admissions very difficult, largely because travel is so problematic. Once travel restrictions have been lifted or made less onerous, then we can review the steps involved in getting your child admitted to an American boarding school.

The Cost

Tuition at boarding school ranges from $20,000 to over $75,000. And this does not include sundries such as music lessons, trips, sports equipment, use of the equestrian facilities, and so on. There are a host of ‘extras’ that also must be factored into the cost of a boarding school education. Textbook and academic material fees, sports fees, clothing, uniforms, transportation to and from school, application fees – the list seems endless. Most schools will provide a breakdown of the ‘extras’ for you upon request. Costs vary greatly from school to school for several reasons. Sound management and healthy endowments are two major reasons why some schools seem to be able to offer more for less.

The other point to remember is that American boarding schools receive no state funding, although they must comply with all the state laws and local regulations which affect their daily operation. Retrofitting older buildings with new technologies, maintaining extensive physical plants, coping with soaring health and liability insurance, legal, and energy