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Private Schools in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Gabriel Seiler Gabriel Seiler New York, United States Last Updated: September 2024 NAICS 61111b

Revenue

$98.9bn

2024

$98.9bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

482k

Businesses

27,078

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Private Schools in the US industry analysis

Revenue for private primary and secondary educational institutions in the United States is heavily dependent on student enrollment. Private school enrollment has been challenged by falling birth rates and rising funding for public schools, but solid growth at the height of COVID-19 has offset other losses through the period. Tuitions have climbed as higher-cost private schools have gained more dominance in the market, but these hikes haven't been able to generate positive revenue growth. Instead of long-term trends, private schools owe their net revenue growth since 2019 to a massive surge in revenue as the pandemic made private schools much more attractive to parents. Revenue has been climbing at a CAGR of 1.9% to reach an estimated $98.9 billion over the past five years, despite sinking 1.7% in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Declining birth rates are posing a long-term threat to the industry. Private schools are having a hard time replacing their graduating students as consumers choose to have fewer or no children.
  • Secular schools are becoming more popular. Levels of religiosity are dropping among US consumers, and high-earning parents are becoming more likely to choose a nonreligious private school over one affiliated with a church.
  • Some private institutions serve as feeder schools. States with prestigious Ivy League colleges foster an environment where parents are likely to choose a private school that will up their child's chances of landing a spot at a major university.
  • Reputation sets some private schools apart. While tuition plays a major role on the lower end of the cost spectrum, high-earning parents are much more sensitive to a private school's credentials and reputation.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 1.9 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $98.9bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Revenue is up amid a single-year spike and a long-term decline

  • Private school enrollment growth drifted into negative territory through the early period, but this downturn was offset by solid growth at the height of COVID-19. Public schools were more heavily restricted through the pandemic, and parents sought private schools to give their children a smaller environment with more flexibility.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Private Schools in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Larger schools will fare better through the next period

  • Long-run demographic shifts, especially declining birth rates, will continue to slash private schools' enrollment. High-cost, selective private secondary schools will receive a steady flow of students and outperform elementary schools.

Biggest companies in the Private Schools in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($short_0)
2024
Profit ($short_0)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024

There are no companies that hold a large enough market share in the Private Schools in the US industry for IBISWorld to include in this product.

Products & Services Segmentation

Private Schools in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Catholic schools, Other religious schools and Secular schools. Catholic schools is the largest segment of the Private Schools in the US.

Trends and Insights

Secular schools are becoming more popular

  • Secular schools don't have a religious orientation. Secular schools boast the lowest share of private school enrollment but command the largest share of industry revenue. Tuition rates well above those of religious schools give secular schools high market share concentration.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

The Private Schools industry comprises primary (grades K-6) and secondary (grades 7-12) educational institutions that are predominantly funded through tuition fees and other private sources. While these schools may receive indirect government funding through special programs, such sources of income constitute a small portion of industry revenue. Government-funded schools are included in the Public Schools industry (IBISWorld report 61111a).

What's included in this industry?

Teaching basic literacy and numeracy Establishing foundations in science, mathematics, geography, history and other social sciencesMeeting regulatory accreditation standardsAdministering private funding effortsProviding access to extracurricular activities

Companies

Purchase this report to view all major companies in this industry.

Related Terms

MAGNET SCHOOLCHARTER SCHOOLNO CHILD LEFT BEHINDNONSECTARIANPAROCHIAL SCHOOL

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 611110 - Private Schools in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Declining birth rates are posing a long-term threat to the industry. Private schools are having a hard time replacing their graduating students as consumers choose to have fe...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Secular schools are becoming more popular. Levels of religiosity are dropping among US consumers, and high-earning parents are becoming more likely to choose a nonreligious p...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

Some private institutions serve as feeder schools. States with prestigious Ivy League colleges foster an environment where parents are likely to choose a private school that ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Reputation sets some private schools apart. While tuition plays a major role on the lower end of the cost spectrum, high-earning parents are much more sensitive to a private ...

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

Private schools range significantly in size. Some schools are preparatory institutions rivaling colleges, while others are tiny academies with three student classes. This pre...

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024

Detailed analysis

    External Environment

    Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

    Analyst insights

    New private schools need to become accredited. In order to begin instructing students, entrants need to prove to their state's board that their education is equivalent to tha...

    In this chapter

    • External Drivers
    • Regulation & Policy
    • Assistance

    Key metrics

    • Regulation & policy level and trend
    • Assistance level and trend

    Charts

    • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
    • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

    Detailed analysis

    • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
    • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
    • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

    Financial Benchmarks

    View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

    Analyst insights

    Private schools differentiate themselves by investing in advertisements and events. Schools must make themselves known to parents in the area in order to attract new students...

    In this chapter

    • Cost Structure
    • Financial Ratios
    • Key Ratios

    Key metrics

    • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
    • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
    • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
    • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

    Charts

    • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
    • Investment vs. share of economy

    Data tables

    • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
    • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
    • Income Statement (2017-2022)
    • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
    • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
    • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
    • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
    • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
    • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • Average Wage (2014-2029)
    • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
    • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
    • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
    • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

    Detailed analysis

    • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

    Key Statistics

    Industry Data

    Data Tables

    Including values and annual change:

    • Revenue (2014-2029)
    • IVA (2014-2029)
    • Establishments (2014-2029)
    • Enterprises (2014-2029)
    • Employment (2014-2029)
    • Exports (2014-2029)
    • Imports (2014-2029)
    • Wages (2014-2029)

    Top Questions Answered

    Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

    What is the market size of the Private Schools in the US industry in United States in 2024?

    The market size of the Private Schools in the US industry in United States is $98.9bn in 2024.

    How many businesses are there in the Private Schools in the US industry in 2024?

    There are 27,078 businesses in the Private Schools in the US industry in United States, which has declined at a CAGR of 0.2 % between 2019 and 2024.

    Has the Private Schools in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

    The market size of the Private Schools in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 1.9 % between 2019 and 2024.

    What is the forecast growth of the Private Schools in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

    Over the next five years, the Private Schools in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

    What does the Private Schools in the US in United States include?

    Teaching basic literacy and numeracy and Establishing foundations in science, mathematics, geography, history and other social sciences are part of the Private Schools in the US industry.

    How competitive is the Private Schools in the US industry in United States?

    The level of competition is moderate and increasing in the Private Schools in the US industry in United States.

    Related Industries

    Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

    Competitors

    • Public Schools in the US

    Complementors

    • Community Colleges in the US
    • Trade & Technical Schools in the US
    • Fine Arts Schools in the US
    • Language Instruction in the US
    • Tutoring & Driving Schools in the US
    • Colleges & Universities in the US
    • For-Profit Universities in the US

    International industries

    • Private Schools in Australia
    • School Education in New Zealand
    • Primary Education in the UK
    • General Secondary Education in the UK
    • Hochschulen

    View all industries in United States

    Methodology

    How are IBISWorld reports created?

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    Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

    IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

    What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

    Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

    Key data sources in the US include: 

    • US Census Bureau
    • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
    • US International Trade Commission

    Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

    These sources include:

    • Industry and trade associations
    • Industry federations or regulators
    • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

    Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

    How does IBISWorld forecast its data?

    IBISWorld’s analysts and data scientists use the sources above to create forecasts for our proprietary datasets and industry statistics. Depending on the dataset, they may use regression analysis, multivariate analysis, time-series analysis or exponential smoothing techniques to project future data for the industry or driver. Additionally, analysts will leverage their local knowledge of industry operating and regulatory conditions to impart their best judgment on the forecast model.

    IBISWorld prides itself on being a trusted, independent source of data, with over 50 years of experience building and maintaining rich datasets and forecasting tools. We are proud to be the keystone source of industry information for thousands of companies across the world.

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