What’s the Going Rate for a Tutor?

Written by Shira Boss

With the kids back in school and facing difficult subjects, they might need some one-on-one help from a tutor.

The cost of a private tutor who comes to your home varies according to the grade level of the student, the education and experience of the tutor, and what city you live in. The national average price is about $41 per hour, according to Tutorspree.

A high school student might charge as little as $10 per hour, while an experienced tutor in the country’s most expensive market, Manhattan, is considered reasonable at $85 to $150 per hour, with Ivy League graduates earning $200 per hour or more.

Tutors don’t have to live locally. Through services such as Tutorspree and UniversityTutor, you can arrange one-on-one instruction through the Internet. Rates depend on the tutor selected, commonly ranging from $20 to $50 per session. Tutor.com connects kids to tutors online anytime of the day or night for roughly $40 per hour.

Another option is to take your child to a tutoring center like Sylvan Learning ($55 per hour) or Mathnasium ($75 per hour based on 10 sessions). They offer classes, as well.

So what’s the standard practice here in town? Have you hired a private tutor and if so, how did you find him or her and how much did you pay for the service?

If paying for a tutor isn’t in the budget—and you don’t qualify for free tutoring through the No Child Left Behind Act—free one-on-one help is likely available from a homework help center at school, a community center, or public library.

For non-individualized help, don’t overlook free resources online, such as the very popular video tutorials for myriad subjects at Khan Academy.

TELL US: What’s the going rate for a tutor here in town?