How Much Does Tutoring Actually Cost in 2026?

If you've started looking into tutoring for your kid, you've probably had some sticker shock. Here's what things actually cost right now.

Private tutors: $40-80/hour

This is the traditional route. At twice a week, that's $320-640/month. For many families, that's a car payment.

The quality varies wildly. Some private tutors are retired teachers who are incredible. Others are college students reading one chapter ahead of your kid.

Tutoring centers: $150-300/month

Places like Kumon, Mathnasium, and Sylvan charge a monthly fee for a structured program. The upside: it's structured and consistent. The downside: it's one-size-fits-all.

Online tutoring platforms: $20-60/month

Services that connect students with tutors over video chat have brought costs down. AI-powered platforms run $20-60/month.

The tradeoff with cheaper live tutoring: you often get a different tutor each session. No relationship, no continuity.

AI platforms solve the consistency problem — same tool every time, remembers where your kid left off — but they vary hugely in quality.

What you're actually paying for

You're not paying for time. You're paying for effective learning time. An AI tutor that's available 24/7 and picks up exactly where your student left off gives you 60 minutes of learning per 60 minutes of use.

QuizCrew costs $13.25/month for unlimited tutoring across every subject. No scheduling. No driving. Available at 10pm on a Sunday.