How much does private tutoring cost and what are the alternatives?

Every parent wants the best possible education for their children.

For some parents that means moving to a school district known for strong public schools; for some it involves paying tuition to send their kids to private school; for some homeschooling is the best option, and for some families hiring private tutors seems the best option.

Finally, for some — particularly around the transition from elementary to middle school, and then through high school and standardized tests like the SAT, ACT, and AP exams — it is a combination of school, home education, and private tutoring.

However, the unfortunate reality is that financial constraints and rising costs make all of these options difficult, or simply impossible, for many families around the country.

Hiring a private tutor to supplement a student's learning has long been seen as an effective — if expensive — option to try and boost a child's grades.

In the vast majority of cases, tutors charge an hourly rate for their services. Depending on the tutor, the subject, and the level being taught, costs can vary wildly. At the time of writing, most sources suggest the national average is somewhere between $35 and $60 per hour. To give just one example, Wyzant — one of the largest tutoring marketplaces in the country — puts the typical price of a math tutor in that same $35–$60 range, with rates spanning anywhere from $10 to over $100 per hour depending on experience and demand.

Location has an effect too. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, New York is the top-paying state for tutors nationally, and on Wyzant the higher end of the range is also found in New York (roughly $40–$75/hour), while states like Florida tend to sit on the less expensive side (roughly $30–$50/hour). As with most services, tutors in rural areas typically charge less than those in major metro areas.

A tutor's qualifications also have a big impact on what they can charge. At the lower end of the spectrum you have recent graduates — or even current college students looking to supplement their student loans — all the way up to certified teachers. For example, a tutor with a master's degree or a specialized test-prep certification can push the hourly rate from $50 up to $100 or more.

And these are just the visible costs. The hidden costs of hiring a private tutor include having to find, vet, and background-check potential tutors, which takes real time and effort. Then there's the commute — for one or both parties — adding more time and money on top of the hourly rate. Sessions also need to be scheduled well in advance, creating a rigid structure that can be hard to fit into an already busy family schedule.

Then there is the pressure and intensity that many students report feeling in a one-to-one session. In that kind of environment, some students — particularly those who are less confident — can feel put on the spot and miss out on the well-known benefits of collaborative learning.

Luckily, there are alternatives that provide high-quality instruction from highly qualified teachers, proven to boost grades, including the benefits of collaborative learning in a supportive environment, and flexible enough to fit into any schedule — all starting from as little as $8 an hour.

It may sound too good to be true, but by investing in the right technology and top teaching talent, at MyEdSpace we have made it so every student — no matter their background — can enjoy the very best education possible.

At MyEdSpace our approach teaches hundreds of students at once in twice-weekly, online, live lessons that create a fun and interactive, but safe and supportive environment. Every lesson is also recorded and available on demand, so students can fit them into any schedule and use them as a revision aid when exams roll around.

Students are provided with a bespoke workbook for each lesson and receive weekly homework with accompanying video explanations, which provide a fun way to reinforce learning and track progress, so no student is left behind. Plus, parents receive a monthly progress report for their child, so everybody stays up to speed.

While private tutors sometimes require a set number of sessions to be booked and paid for in advance, locking students in, try MyEdSpace and see if it works for you and your family situation.