Students eat lunch at The Village School in Houston on Wednesday, March 25, 2026.
Raquel Natalicchio/Houston Chronicle
Tuition at Houston’s most expensive private schools will range from just under $30,000 to $63,000 for the 2026-27 school year.
At least 34 of Houston’s private schools will charge annual tuition above $30,000 — not including fees — according to a Houston Chronicle analysis. Of those schools, fewer than half will participate in Texas’ new $1 billion school voucher program this fall, which provides families with state-funded accounts to help pay for private and homeschool education.
Tuition rates at area private schools have risen sharply over the past few years. Before the COVID-19 pandemic, only three Houston-area private schools charged over $30,000, according to a General Academic survey. In 2023, that number jumped to about 20 private schools. Now nearly 35 charge above $30,000.
Article continues below this ad
NEWS: Many top-rated Houston private schools aren’t accepting vouchers
Among the most expensive options, the median tuition is $37,000. Most schools on the list increased tuition rates by 4 to 6% from the 2025-26 school year.
However, one school, The Journey School, increased its tuition by about 17% — roughly $5,000 for next school year, according to its website and data collected last year.
The only school on the list that not raise tuition from this year to next was Xavier Academy, but the school previously increased its rate by nearly 9% before the current school year, according to earlier reporting.
Article continues below this ad
As for private schools participating in the Texas Education Freedom Accounts next year — for which they could receive $10,400 per student or up to $30,000 for students with disabilities — the average tuition rate increase roughly matched the average rate increase for schools outside the program, at 4.75%.
FIND A SCHOOL: Houston School Finder: Search public, charter and private schools
At least two schools raised tuition to $30,000 for next school year — St. Mark’s Episcopal and Second Baptist School — which was about a 5.5% increase at both. St. Stephen’s Episcopal and Beren Academy — a Modern Orthodox Jewish campus near Meyerland — are both hovering between $29,000 and $30,000 for annual tuition, meaning they may be among the first to cross the $30,000 threshold for 2027-28.
For more information on private school tuition, and to compare private schools to public schools, check out the Chronicle’s school finder tool. Type your address into the map or search a private school in the tool below to see your school options and how they compare. Filter by traditional public, charter or private schools.
Article continues below this ad
ALSO READ: Most Houston private schools approved for vouchers are pre-Ks. See the full list.
How we compiled this report
A comprehensive database on private school tuition does not exist, but the Chronicle compiles and updates a database annually of the Houston-area private schools that charge more than $30,000 per year. The Chronicle also surveyed private schools in Houston as part of its research for its School Finder tool, which also includes maximum tuition rates, not including fees. The database is fact-checked with each private school’s website and outreach, if necessary.
The tuition rates listed are for the most expensive grade level offered at the campus. This analysis does not include fees, which many schools charge and can increase overall costs. Many private schools offer financial aid to qualifying families to lower expenses; awards vary.
Article continues below this ad
Reach out to elizabeth.sander@houstonchronicle.com if you have a question about this list or if your school’s tuition is not included.