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Best Massachusetts Private Schools (2026)

For the 2026 school year, there are 852 private schools serving 126,411 students in Massachusetts (there are 1,824 public schools, serving 915,932 students). 12% of all K-12 students in Massachusetts attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
The average private school tuition is $24,954 for elementary schools and $40,833 for high schools (view national tuition averages).
The top-ranked private schools in Massachusetts include Phillips Academy Andover, Groton School, and Concord Academy.
The average acceptance rate is 71% (view national acceptance rates). Minority enrollment is 31% and the student-teacher ratio is 8:1.
33% of schools are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.

Overview

This State (MA)
US
# Schools
852 Schools

Student Body:

# Students
126,411 Students
5,689,398 Students
% Average Students of Color
31%
34%

Student By Grade

Academics and Faculty:

# Teachers
15,704 Teachers
508,485 Teachers
Average Student-Teacher Ratio
8:1
11:1
% Average Faculty w/Advanced Degree
67%
55%
Average Class Size
14 students
15 students
Average Number of AP Courses
16 courses
13 courses
Average SAT score
1287
(Out of 1600)
1234
Average ACT score
29
(Out of 36)
26

Tuition and Acceptance Rate:

Average Yearly Tuition Cost
$26,737
$14,950
Average Summer Program Cost
$2,802
$1,153
Average % on Financial Aid
36%
35%
Average Financial Aid Grant
$17,671
$7,228
Average Acceptance Rate
71%
82%
Average Endowment Size
$85.55 million
$63.28 million

Students by Ethnicity:

0.63
0.65
# American Indian Students
187 Students
29,824 Students
% American Indian Students
n/a
1%
# Asian Students
6,792 Students
264,899 Students
% Asian Students
5%
5%
# Hispanic Students
7,577 Students
506,804 Students
% Hispanic Students
6%
9%
# Black Students
8,696 Students
415,674 Students
% Black Students
7%
7%
# White Students
67,960 Students
2,930,451 Students
% White Students
55%
52%
# Hawaiian Students
83 Students
20,066 Students
% Hawaiian Students
n/a
n/a
# Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
% of Two or more races Students
n/a
n/a
# Others Students
33,224 Students
1,473,461 Students
% of Others Students
27%
26%
All Ethnic Groups

Extracurriculars and Sports:

Average Number of Extracurriculars
13 extracurriculars
9 extracurriculars
Average Number of Sports
9 sports
7 sports

Top-Ranked Massachusetts Private Schools by County (2026)

County
# Schools
# Students
% of K-12 Students in Private Schools
19
2,589
10%
20
2,374
14%
63
9,100
10%
1
87
4%
101
18,112
14%
8
2,136
20%
47
5,958
8%
13
1,686
9%
237
32,005
13%
3
308
15%
124
19,981
17%
53
7,406
9%
76
12,712
14%
86
11,820
9%

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the top-ranked private schools in Massachusetts?
The top-ranked private schools in Massachusetts include Phillips Academy Andover, Groton School, and Concord Academy.
How many private schools are located in Massachusetts?
There are 852 private schools are located in Massachusetts.
How much do private schools cost in Massachusetts?
The average private school tuition in Massachusetts is $24,954 for elementary schools and $40,833 for high schools
How diverse are private schools in Massachusetts?
Approximately 31% of students in Massachusetts private schools are minority students (compared to the national percentage).
What percentage of students in Massachusetts go to private school?
12% of all K-12 students in Massachusetts attend private schools (compared to the national average of 10%).
What percentage of private schools are religiously affiliated in Massachusetts?
33% of private schools in Massachusetts are religiously affiliated, with most being Catholic or Christian.
Which private schools in Massachusetts are often viewed compared to one another?

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