Schools and Tuition
Regional Distribution of Catholic Schools
|
2007-2008
|
2012-2013
|
2017-2018
|
Totals of all schools
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
New England
|
485
|
6.6
|
421
|
6.3
|
374
|
5.9
|
Mideast
|
1,855
|
25.1
|
1,513
|
22.6
|
1,371
|
21.6
|
Great Lakes
|
1,752
|
23.7
|
1,587
|
23.8
|
1,506
|
23.7
|
Plains
|
874
|
11.8
|
828
|
12.4
|
795
|
12.5
|
Southeast
|
974
|
13.2
|
937
|
14.0
|
927
|
14.6
|
West/Far West
|
1,438
|
19.5
|
1,399
|
20.9
|
1,379
|
21.7
|
United States
|
7,378
|
100.0
|
6,685
|
100.0
|
6,352
|
100.0
|
Location of Schools
Although there has been a significant decrease in the total number of Catholic schools during the past four decades, the church has not lost sight of its commitment to educate children, particularly those of the poor, within the inner cities and urban areas. Schools in these areas remain a significant presence: four decades ago 47.9% were located in urban and inner city areas, today 40.4% of the schools are still in urban/inner city locales despite population losses and great financial difficulties in maintaining them. During that same period of time, suburban schools increased from 25.0% to 38.9% of the total.
2017-2018
|
Elementary/Middle
|
Secondary
|
National Totals
|
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
Number
|
%
|
Urban
|
1,502
|
29.1
|
446
|
37.4
|
1,948
|
30.7
|
Inner-City
|
505
|
9.8
|
113
|
9.5
|
618
|
9.7
|
Suburban
|
2,020
|
39.2
|
451
|
37.8
|
2,471
|
38.9
|
Rural
|
1,131
|
21.9
|
184
|
15.4
|
1,315
|
20.7
|
Total
|
5,158
|
100.0
|
1,194
|
100.0
|
6,352
|
100.0
|
Single Gender Schools
|
Number
|
%
|
Elementary/Middle
|
68
|
1.3% of elementary schools
|
Secondary
|
354
|
29.6% of secondary schools
|
Total Single Gender
|
422
|
6.6% of all schools
|
Single Gender Secondary Schools
Male: 12.6% of secondary schools; Female: 17.0% of secondary schools
Tuition and Costs
Tuition fees paid by families constitute a portion of the actual per pupil expenses. The difference between the per pupil cost and the tuition charged is obtained in many ways, primarily through direct subsidy from parish, diocesan or religious congregation resources and from multi-faceted development programs and fund-raising activities.
Almost all elementary and secondary schools provide some financial aid to families.
Average Tuition and Per Pupil Costs
Elementary
Mean parish school tuition: $4,841 Per pupil cost: $5,936
Secondary
Mean tuition: $11,239 Per pupil cost: $15,249
Based on the average public school per pupil cost of $11,454, Catholic schools provide more than 21 billion dollars a year savings for the nation. The published public school per pupil cost combines elementary and secondary pupils and ranges from $6,751 to more than $25,000.