Price to send your child to a top South African private school: 2016 vs 2026
In January 2026, South Africa celebrated the matric class of 2025’s record results, with the Department of Basic Education reporting a 88% pass rate for the first time in government history.
These results were for the final National Senior Certificate results for the matric cohort of the country’s public schools.
Private schools, despite their high tuition fees, are generally known for their prestige and strong year-on-year results.
The Independent Examinations Board (IEB), the private alternative assessment body in South Africa, recorded an overall pass rate of 98.31% for its 2025 National Senior Certificate (NSC) examinations.
This pass rate represented a minor decrease from the 98.47% recorded in 2024. However, the pass rate for private schooling is still over 10% higher than that of public schooling.
Private education in South Africa has become increasingly expensive, with at least 13 schools now charging over R350,000 annually for tuition and boarding.
Ten years ago, BusinessTech recorded the school fees of the most expensive top private schools in the country, with annual school fees hovering above R100,000, excluding boarding.
When including the cost of boarding, these costs increased to over R200,000 per year. In 2016, the highest school fees recorded were those of Hilton College, which included boarding, at R235,960.
By 2026, four top private schools reached school fees over R400,000 per year for boarding and tuition.
Over the 10-year span, annual boarding and tuition fees for top private schools in the country nearly doubled, with Hilton College increasing from R235,960 in 2016 to R450,893 in 2026.
Michaelhouse school fees for boarding and tuition increased from R225,000 in 2016 to R417,000 in 2026, while Roedean School for Girls’ boarding and tuition fees increased from R220,276 in 2016 to R413,095 in 2026.
Although boarding fees are typically much higher due to food and lodging provisions, the day scholar tuition for the top private schools experienced a similar upward trend, with school fees rising substantially.
Kearsney College’s annual school fees for a day scholar were R145,500 in 2016 and rose to R275,000 in 2026, compared to its boarding and tuition fees of R211,500 in 2016, which rose to R399,740 in 2026.
Top private school fees in 2016 versus 2026
Below is a table comparing the school fees of some of the top private schools in the country, based on BusinessTech records from 2016 and 2026.
Hilton College and Michaelhouse are boarding-only institutions and do not offer day scholar tuition rates.
Figures reflect annual tuition & boarding fees vs day scholar tuition (Grade 12).
| School | 2016 Boarding & Tuition | 2026 Boarding & Tuition | Boarding Jump (%) | 2016 Day Scholar Fee | 2026 Day Scholar Fee | Day Fee Jump (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton College | R235,960 | R450,893 | 91.1% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Michaelhouse | R225,000 | R417,000 | 85.3% | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Roedean School for Girls | R220,276 | R413,095 | 87.5% | R124,297 | R233,104 | 87.5% |
| St Andrew’s College | R216,900 | R409,815 | 88.9% | R96,960 | R183,180 | 88.9% |
| Kearney College | R211,500 | R399,740 | 89.0% | R145,500 | R275,000 | 89.0% |
| St John’s College | R210,352 | R397,302 | 88.9% | R124,618 | R232,974 | 87.0% |
| St Stithians College | R201,316 | R346,295 | 72.0% | R117,470 | R199,680 | 70.0% |
| St Martin’s School / College | R199,200 | R277,025 | 39.1% | R120,900 | R140,175 | 15.9% |
| St Andrew’s School for Girls | R198,540 | R364,570 | 83.6% | R111,110 | R196,670 | 77.0% |
| Bishops Diocesan College | R198,340 | R386,300 | 94.8% | R113,440 | R225,900 | 99.1% |
The total fees demanded may vary based on discounts and other once-off charges as outlined by the relevant institution.
Fees are for the highest level of learning available (up to grade 12). We’ve included the annual increase for schools where we have historical data.
Lists are not comprehensive.
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