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?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1
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