16 Expensive Private Schools Royals and Rich Kids Attend
The world’s elite private schools have played a behind-the-scenes but significant role in dictating the course of history for generations to come. Royalty, politicians, and business tycoons have opted to enroll their children in some of these institutions for decades not only due to academic excellence but also for the connections and heritage that come with it.
These institutions have it all—history dating back centuries, massive campuses, low student-to-teacher ratios, and opportunities that few other institutions can compete with. The price tags may be in the tens of thousands each year, but the waiting lists are long as parents seek to replicate the same academic routes taken by princes, presidents, and business leaders around the globe.
Here’s a look at sixteen of the most expensive private schools that have been home to royalty and other elite around the world:
Eton College
Founded in 1440, Eton College is one of the most famous boarding schools in the world. Located near Windsor Castle in England, the school has educated generations of British aristocrats and members of the royal family.
The campus includes historic stone buildings, chapels, libraries, and playing fields that stretch along the River Thames. Eton’s alumni include numerous British prime ministers and members of the royal household.
Annual tuition and boarding costs are among the highest in the United Kingdom, reflecting the school’s prestige and centuries of tradition.
Le Rosey
Often described as one of the most expensive schools in the world, Institut Le Rosey in Switzerland attracts students from wealthy families across the globe. The school is known for its unique two-campus system, spending part of the year in Rolle and winter months in the alpine resort town of Gstaad.
Students experience a lifestyle rarely seen in traditional schools. Winter terms include skiing in the Swiss Alps, while the main campus offers theaters, sailing facilities, and extensive sports programs.
Tuition and boarding fees can exceed $100,000 annually, placing the school among the most exclusive educational institutions worldwide.
Harrow School
Harrow School, located in northwest London, has educated prominent figures since the sixteenth century. The campus sits on a hill overlooking the city, giving it a distinctive and historic setting.
The school’s long traditions include formal uniforms, ceremonial events, and a strong emphasis on leadership and debate. Several British prime ministers and members of aristocratic families studied there.
The cost of attendance remains among the highest in Britain, reinforcing its reputation as a destination for elite education.
Phillips Exeter Academy
In the United States, Phillips Exeter Academy stands among the most prestigious private schools. Founded in 1781 in New Hampshire, the school is known for its rigorous academic environment and distinctive teaching style known as the Harkness method.
Students sit around oval tables in small classes where discussion drives learning rather than traditional lectures. The campus includes impressive academic buildings, libraries, and arts facilities.
Tuition and boarding fees are high, yet the school continues to attract students from influential families around the world.
Institut auf dem Rosenberg
Located in St. Gallen, Switzerland, Institut auf dem Rosenberg is widely recognized for its luxurious campus and individualized education model. The school offers tailored academic programs designed to match each student’s interests and ambitions.
The campus includes modern learning spaces, technology labs, and extensive sports facilities. Students often come from business families and diplomatic backgrounds.
Annual fees rank among the highest in Europe, reflecting both the personalized curriculum and the school’s international reputation.
The Lawrenceville School
The Lawrenceville School in New Jersey has long been associated with American political and business leadership. Founded in 1810, the school offers a boarding environment built around small residential houses.
Its campus features classical architecture, tree-lined paths, and extensive athletic facilities. Many graduates go on to attend prestigious universities and enter careers in public service or finance.
The school’s tuition reflects its reputation as one of the leading preparatory institutions in the United States.
Geelong Grammar School
Geelong Grammar School in Australia is widely known for educating members of the British royal family, including King Charles III during his youth. Located in Victoria, the school occupies a large campus surrounded by open landscapes.
The institution blends traditional academics with outdoor education and leadership programs. Students participate in wilderness experiences designed to build resilience and independence.
Tuition ranks among the highest in Australia, attracting families seeking a prestigious international education.
St. George’s School
St. George’s School in Rhode Island overlooks the Atlantic Ocean, creating one of the most scenic boarding school campuses in North America. Founded in the late nineteenth century, the school emphasizes both academic rigor and character development.
The campus includes historic stone buildings, athletic fields, and sailing programs that take advantage of its coastal location. Students from influential families often attend, drawn by the school’s reputation and strong college placement record.
Aiglon College
Situated high in the Swiss Alps, Aiglon College combines academic study with outdoor adventure. The campus offers dramatic mountain views and a curriculum that integrates leadership training and international perspectives.
Students regularly participate in mountaineering, skiing, and expedition programs. These experiences form a core part of the school’s philosophy, which encourages independence and global awareness.
Tuition costs reflect both the location and the extensive facilities available to students.
Choate Rosemary Hall
Choate Rosemary Hall in Connecticut is another well-known American boarding school with a long history of educating prominent figures. The campus blends historic brick buildings with modern academic facilities.
The school offers a wide range of academic and artistic programs, including strong theater and music departments. Alumni include political leaders, entrepreneurs, and cultural figures.
Tuition places the institution among the most expensive secondary schools in the United States.
The Thacher School
Located in California’s Ojai Valley, The Thacher School offers a distinctive blend of academics and outdoor education. Founded in 1889, the school is known for its horseback riding program, where students care for and ride horses as part of daily life.
The rural campus creates a learning environment far removed from major cities. Students develop independence through outdoor experiences and leadership opportunities.
Tuition remains high, but the school’s unique approach continues to attract families seeking a different educational path.
Westminster School
Westminster School sits beside Westminster Abbey in the heart of London. Founded in the twelfth century, it is one of the oldest schools in the United Kingdom.
The campus blends historic buildings with modern academic spaces. Students study in close proximity to some of Britain’s most famous landmarks. The school’s rigorous curriculum and long-standing traditions make it a favored choice among influential families.
TASIS – The American School in Switzerland
TASIS provides an international education experience in the scenic town of Montagnola overlooking Lake Lugano. Founded after World War II, the school was designed to bring together students from different cultures and backgrounds.
The campus includes elegant villas, gardens, and arts facilities that reflect the region’s Mediterranean character. Students often travel across Europe for cultural programs and academic enrichment.
Tuition fees reflect the school’s international scope and unique location.
Collège Alpin Beau Soleil
Collège Alpin Beau Soleil sits high in the Swiss Alps and is known for its emphasis on experiential learning. Students regularly participate in mountain expeditions, winter sports, and global travel programs.
The campus combines traditional academic buildings with modern facilities designed for international students. Tuition and boarding costs are among the highest in the world, yet demand remains strong among families seeking a global education environment.
Marlborough College
Marlborough College in England has long been associated with aristocratic and royal families. The campus centers around historic buildings arranged around a large green space known as the Court.
Academic programs are balanced with strong offerings in arts and athletics. The school’s traditions and reputation continue to attract students from influential families across the United Kingdom and beyond.
St. Paul’s School
St. Paul’s School in New Hampshire is known for its picturesque campus centered around a lake and historic brick buildings. Founded in the nineteenth century, the school emphasizes academic excellence alongside character development.
Students live in residential houses and participate in a wide variety of extracurricular activities. The institution’s strong academic record and scenic environment make it one of the most desirable boarding schools in the United States.
Where Prestige and Education Meet
The most costly private educational institutions in the world represent more than simply educational institutions. Rather, they represent communities where traditions, connections, and leadership skills are developed along with education.
Though these educational institutions are out of reach for the majority of people owing to their high fees, these institutions continue to shape prominent individuals in politics, commerce, and the arts. In many ways, this can be explained by the fact that these institutions are popular owing to the notion that the right environment can assist students in preparing for the challenges that lie ahead.
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