Private preschool costs $400 to $1,300 per month or $4,000 to $13,000 per year. Publicly funded preschools are free. Montessori preschool programs cost $1,000 to $1,500 per month. Preschool tuition includes full or half-day programs offered 2, 3, or 5 days per week.
| Type | Average monthly cost | Average yearly tuition (Sept – June) |
|---|---|---|
| Public preschool | Free | Free |
| Private preschool | $400 – $1,300 | $4,000 – $13,000 |
| Montessori preschool | $1,000 – $1,500 | $12,000 – $18,000 |
| Parent-run co-op | $50 – $400 | $500 – $4,000 |
Public preschool programs are free to parents but are not available in every state. These government programs are intended to make early education accessible to low-income families.
Private preschools cost $400 to $1,300 per month or $4,000 to $13,000 per school year running from September to June. Preschools for 3- to 5-year-olds focus on early learning to prepare children for formal schooling.
Montessori preschools cost $1,000 to $1,500 per month or $12,000 to $18,000 per school year. Montessori centers use a child-centered method of education, with an emphasis on hands-on independent learning and mixed age groups to promote peer-to-peer learning.
Parent-run preschool co-ops cost $50 to $400 per month or $500 to $4,000 per school year. A parent cooperative is a group of parents that hire a trained preschool teacher to educate their young children. Parents work together to run the program and take turns assisting in the classroom.
