Summary
- School-subject tutoring costs $40–90/hr (US) or £25–60/hr (UK).
- Define a specific, measurable goal before booking.
- Start with a diagnostic session, review after six.
- Students must work between sessions or progress stalls.
- Online widens access to specialist subject tutors.
Quick answer
Private tutoring costs $40–90 per hour in the US and £25–60 per hour in the UK for school subjects, rising to $100–200 or £60–120 for exam specialists and university-level work.
Typical 2026 rates
| Level | US per hour | UK per hour |
|---|---|---|
| Primary / elementary | $35–60 | £22–40 |
| Secondary / middle school | $45–75 | £28–48 |
| Exam year (GCSE / high school) | $55–95 | £35–60 |
| Advanced (A-level / AP) | $70–130 | £45–80 |
| University level | $80–180 | £50–110 |
| Entrance exam specialists | $100–200 | £60–120 |
| Online | 10–25% less | 10–25% less |
| Small group (per student) | 40–60% less | 40–60% less |
Choosing a tutor
Qualified teachers charge more but usually need fewer sessions. Undergraduate tutors are cost-effective for younger students and confidence building.
How many sessions?
For a specific exam gap, six to twelve weekly sessions is typical. For confidence and study skills, a term. Open-ended tutoring with no defined endpoint is the most common way families overspend — agree a review point after six sessions.
Making it work
Online or in person?
Online tutoring is now equally effective for most secondary and above, given a decent screen, a headset and a shared whiteboard. Younger children, students who are easily distracted, and practical subjects generally do better in person. Online widens the pool of specialist tutors dramatically, which matters for niche subjects.
Measuring whether it works
Set a baseline: a past paper score, a teacher comment, a specific topic the student cannot do. Re-measure after six sessions with the same instrument. Improvement should be visible in marked work, not just in reported confidence. If nothing has moved after six sessions with work being done between them, change tutor rather than adding hours.
Summary
Budget £25–60 or $40–90 an hour for school subjects. Set a specific measurable goal, start with a diagnostic session, review after six sessions, and require work between sessions — that is what separates effective tutoring from expensive company.