Private education in South Africa isn’t just premium, it’s hitting luxury territory. In 2025, top boarding school fees have passed the R420 000 mark.
That’s shockingly more than most people’s annual salary!
Here’s what you need to know about the most expensive private schools in the country, what they offer, and what kind of income you need to afford them.
How much does it cost to attend South Africa’s most expensive schools?
According to BusinessTech‘s data from January 2025, private education costs in the country have reached new heights this year, with at least 10 private schools now charging over R340 000 per year for tuition and boarding.
Rank
School
Location
2024 fees
2025 fees
percentage increase
1
Hilton College
Hilton, KZN
R397 660
R420 729
5.8%
2
MichaelHouse
Balgowan, KZN
R368 000
R392 000
6.5%
3
St Andrew’s College
Makhanda, EC
R363 879
R387 531
6.5%
4
Roedean School for Girls
Johannesburg, GP
R360 087
R387 093
7.5%
5
St John’s College
Johannesburg, GP
R352 612
R376 589
6.8%
6
Kearsney College
Botha’s Hill, KZN
R350 130
R374 330
6.9%
7
Bishops College
Cape Town, WC
R341 430
R364 680
6.8%
8
St Mary’s
Johannesburg, GP
R335 470
R358 665
6.9%
9
St Alban’s College
Pretoria, GP
R328 920
R353 580
7.5%
10
Diocesan School for Girls
Makhanda, EC
R323 040
R345 630
7.0%
Why so pricey?
Well, these private schools justify their price tags with:
World-class facilities, including modern labs, gyms, auditoriums, and Olympic-grade sports fields.
Small class sizes: Think personalised attention and academic support.
Leadership programs, which are often seen as stepping stones to Ivy League and top SA universities.
Matric perks like private matric rooms, top-tier mentorship, and curated university application support.
So, what kind of salary do you need to be able to send your child to these private schools?
If you were to factor in the costs, to afford Hilton College or Michaelhouse comfortably, you’d need a household income of around R2.6 million to R2.8 million/year.
For girls’ schools like Roedean or St Mary’s, you’d need around R1.4 million to R1.6 million/year.
How much were school fees when you went to school in South Africa?
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