SA's most expensive private schools in 2025
Here's a look at some of the most expensive private schools in South Africa in 2025.
Many South Africans are opting for private school education for their children, but at what cost?
Private school tuition fees in South Africa have significantly risen for 2025, with an average increase of 6.9% for boarding school fees and 6.8% for day school fees.
READ: Two areas wealthy South Africans are moving to in Gauteng
With private school prices increasing at more than double the national inflation rate, the pressure on the affordability of elite education in South Africa is growing.
According to BusinessTech, Hilton College in the KwaZulu-Natal Midlands is currently the most expensive private school in South Africa.
Its annual fees for 2025 stand at R420,729, reflecting a 5.8% increase from 2024.
BusinessTech also reported that in 2014, Hilton College's yearly boarding and tuition fees were just over R200,000. Today, that figure has doubled.
Other boarding schools that charge more than R350,000 annually for boarding and tuition include Michaelhouse, St Andrew's College in Makhanda, Roedean School for Girls, St John's College, Kearsney College, Bishops College, St Mary's, and St Alban's College.
WATCH: Girl claiming to speak Afrikaans gets it horribly wrong
Day school learners' fees have also seen a steep increase. Leading the pack in 2025 is Kearsney College at R257,510, followed by St John’s College at R220,828 and Roedean School for Girls at R218,877.
Here are the fees for some of the biggest private schools in South Africa:
Boarding
Day school
Note: The fees listed above are as they appear on the various schools' web pages and cover termly board and/or annual tuition only. The total fees 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 historical data is available. The list is not comprehensive, as some schools have not publicly published their 2025 fee schedules
Tune in to the 'Breakfast with Martin Bester', on weekdays from 06:00 – 09:00. Stream the show live here or download our mobile app here.
Listen to Jacaranda FM:
- 94.2
- Jacaranda FM App
- http://jacarandafm.com
- DStv 858/ OpenView 602
Follow us on social media:
IMAGE: Facebook/ @BlueSkySociety