Private Schools in NYC Now Cost More Than Elite Colleges. Here’s the Shocking Number.

At least seven Manhattan private schools are breaking the $70,000 sticker price this fall, with one charging $75,300.

By Jonathan Small | Feb 10, 2026

Elite private schools in New York City now charge more for tuition than Harvard does, according to Bloomberg.

At least seven NYC private schools will charge over $70,000 for tuition this fall, with Avenues The World School in Chelsea leading the pack at $75,300. That number exceeds Harvard’s $56,550 tuition and surpasses many elite colleges. Fees rose a median of 4.7% across 15 schools surveyed, outpacing inflation and up from a median of $39,900 in 2014.

The schools cite rising costs, including salaries for teachers trying to make a living in expensive New York. About 20% to 22% of students at top schools receive financial aid, with some families getting token amounts “so their family can breathe a little bit more or take a vacation,” according to education consultants who are getting a lot more questions these days about financial aid.

Read more

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Elite private schools in New York City now charge more for tuition than Harvard does, according to Bloomberg.

At least seven NYC private schools will charge over $70,000 for tuition this fall, with Avenues The World School in Chelsea leading the pack at $75,300. That number exceeds Harvard’s $56,550 tuition and surpasses many elite colleges. Fees rose a median of 4.7% across 15 schools surveyed, outpacing inflation and up from a median of $39,900 in 2014.

The schools cite rising costs, including salaries for teachers trying to make a living in expensive New York. About 20% to 22% of students at top schools receive financial aid, with some families getting token amounts “so their family can breathe a little bit more or take a vacation,” according to education consultants who are getting a lot more questions these days about financial aid.

Read more

Sign up for the Entrepreneur Daily newsletter to get the news and resources you need to know today to help you run your business better. Get it in your inbox.

Jonathan Small

Founder, Strike Fire Productions
Entrepreneur Staff
Jonathan Small is a bestselling author, journalist, producer, and podcast host. For 25 years, he has worked as a sought-after storyteller for top media companies such as The New York Times, Hearst, Entrepreneur, and Condé Nast. He has held executive roles at Glamour, Fitness, and Entrepreneur and regularly contributes to The New York Times, TV...

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