How Much Does A Good Tutor Cost?

Justin Menda

Justin Menda of Rocket Prep Tutor is here to answer your questions about the cost of a good tutor. 


As in any field, tutoring and academic coaching happens in a wide price range. There’s no shortage of college students who will charge $20 per hour or less. There are also professional tutors who will charge hundreds of dollars per hour.

What’s a fair price? What are you getting when you spend more? How can you tell whether it’s worth the money? What credentials justify higher prices? How much does a 4.0 GPA or a 1600 on the SAT count for?

There’s a lot to unpack here, and it starts with understanding what words like “tutor” and “coach” mean.

Understanding the levels of tutoring and coaching

There are three basic skillsets to consider.

The first is simply being a subject matter expert, or SME. This is when a person knows their stuff, has aced their classes, has published original research, and so on. They know a topic better than most.

The second is being able to explain the subject matter to a non-expert. This is a completely different and separate skillset from being an expert in the subject.

The third skillset is being able to teach or coach. Teaching and coaching go far beyond explanation to devising systems to support ongoing learning. If you’re really teaching, explanation is only part of what you’re doing. The real work of teaching is to engage the minds of learners, enticing them to acquire knowledge and develop skills, and facilitating those processes. Coaching zooms out even further, helping a learner create systems for learning and development more broadly, and helping a struggling student move toward self-sufficiency. These are complex tasks, and they’re where the real benefits lie.

In other words, there are two quantum leaps in expertise to consider: SME to explainer, and explainer to teacher/coach. Each leap comes with massive benefits, and usually – though not always – a price increase.

Anyone can call themselves a tutor
We tend to think that if someone is an SME, that fact alone makes them a good person to learn from. Even colleges and universities tend to operate on that premise; most professors are little more than SMEs.

This is one reason why there are so many tutors out there. Because it’s so common to assume SMEs are good people to learn from, anyone who has earned good grades or successfully majored in a subject can hang out a shingle as a “tutor”, regardless of how well they can explain, teach, or coach. There are a lot of people who fit this description, hence the relatively low prices at which they tend to operate (think $20-$30 per hour).

Sadly, for most students, a tutor who is just an SME – and not a good explainer, teacher, or coach – will likely be ineffective or worse. They may be charging very little money, but they’ll deliver even less. In fact, expecting help from someone who can’t effectively explain, teach, or coach can leave a student feeling even more daunted than they were before. If a student still can’t understand the material after hiring a tutor, they’re likely to think the material must be even further out of our reach than they had initially thought.

Could you get lucky and find a good explainer or even a decent teacher or coach in the $20-$30 per hour range? Maybe. If you do, hold on to that person with both hands. But don’t bet on finding them.

Explanation can’t explain everything
SMEs who can explain their subjects to non-experts are rare gems. When they become tutors, they command higher rates. Exceptional explanatory ability is typically what takes tutors beyond $20-$30 per hour.

The ability to explain things is deeply valuable for obvious reasons. But it’s also vastly overrated. It’s often the main thing people come up with when they think about what makes a good tutor or teacher, even though we know it’s only part of the puzzle. We know you can’t listen your way to real expertise. Real learning comes from trying things and receiving feedback, and that can’t be replicated just by listening to or watching something. That’s why doctors do residencies, craftspeople do apprenticeships, and employers look for experience.

The real value of effective explanations is:
  1. To give you a head-start at learning something for real, or
  2. To help you make sense of something you’re already learning.

Some students don’t need much more than this. A student who is highly motivated, conscientious, and self-aware, but who struggles with understanding a certain subject, might get enough of a boost from a decent explanation of certain topics. In that case, it’s the student who’s really doing the teaching – or, more accurately, self-teaching. The tutor is there to translate complex and esoteric concepts into language the student can handle.

Unfortunately, that’s not enough for most students. Most need at least some help figuring out how to learn a topic effectively, not to mention executing those methods. For them, if a tutor doesn’t understand or can’t work with the complex dynamics of teaching and coaching, they will be unhelpful at best and counterproductive at worst.

Highly effective and dazzling explanations can often mask this problem: they can give students a short-term feeling of having improved their understanding, which makes it harder to realize that they have a hard time implementing that understanding. This, in turn, makes them prone to the same “what’s wrong with me?” self-criticism described at the end of the previous section.

In my experience, that masking effect is often a factor in the very high prices of some tutors. I’ve seen a lot of tutors who charge well over $100 per hour – sometimes a few times that – who have unparalleled expertise and explanatory ability, but minimal teaching or coaching skills. Their explanations are so impressive that most people don’t question the price premium even if they haven’t really learned effectively. Instead, they blame themselves.

To sum up everything thus far: if you want a tutor who is more than just an SME, you should expect to pay more – though paying more doesn’t always guarantee a better result.

The real deal: Teachers and Coaches
If you really want to get better at something, you have to work your way up to the level of expertise you want. On the way there, the tasks and the pace have to be right. And what’s right for you is going to change as your skills and circumstances evolve, so you need to be able to adjust.

This is where teachers and coaches come in.

Identifying the right path from novice to expert – and helping a learner to walk that path – requires a teacher or coach to:
  1. Figure out the personality, predispositions, skills, and unique challenges of the learner;
  2. Visualize the expert that the learner could become;
  3. Understand what skills the learner will have to develop, and in what order to address them;
  4. Design experiences that will help the learner develop those skills in the right order;
  5. Anticipate and perceive new challenges as they come up;
  6. Be sensitive to external factors that might affect the process;
  7. Do all of this while maintaining a good working and personal relationship with the learner; and
  8. Be ready and able to adjust any and all of these factors at any time as work proceeds.
This is why good teachers and coaches are so rare. This is why good teachers and coaches charge more for their services. Getting good at teaching and coaching requires a lot of time, a lot of talent, and a commitment to continual improvement. The result is someone who can do much more for many more people.

For these reasons, good teachers and coaches are rare at low and even moderate price points. If you can find one under $200 per hour, and if you can afford to pay that, jump on it.

If that kind of expense is a stretch, consider this: the job of a teacher or coach is to get you to the point that you no longer need them, and a good one will get you there faster. With the right one, you might spend more per hour, but you could easily spend fewer hours for better results.

Also consider the value of having learned real skills and gotten your feet under you. A tutor who has good teaching and coaching skills won’t just help you know things or succeed in one topic area; they will help you develop broadly applicable tools like metacognition, self-awareness, self-efficacy, and techniques to manage stress and mental workload – tools you can use anywhere on any task. Those skills will keep paying off long after the impact of your GPA or test score has faded into insignificance.

Again, paying more is no guarantee of a better result. But better results almost always warrant higher prices.

What if I want the highest level of expertise but not the highest prices?
Don’t worry! You have a few options.
  • Do a few sessions with a tutor who has good teaching and coaching skills, and then scale back your sessions with them as you continue on your own. This requires solid discipline on your part, but it’ll pay off in a big way if you can pull it off. Your tutor can help you get a framework in place, and then they can step back as you take the reins. You can always set up a schedule to check in with them at longer but regular intervals.
  • Get together with friends or peers for group sessions. Multiple people can split the fee, making it much more manageable. With a good tutor and the right group, it won’t be like any old class; it’ll be like multiple people getting high-quality individual tutoring at the same time. If that doesn’t seem possible, contact me.
  • Conduct a lot of interviews – and, if possible, auditions. Any good tutor should be willing to have an initial open-ended meeting with any prospective student. Take advantage of this. Make sure the tutor you select has a good understanding of what you need, good ideas about how to help you, and clear evidence that they can do what they say they can. Personality counts for a lot, too. If you can relate to each other effectively, that will have just as big an impact as any other asset the tutor might bring. Finding the right combination can take a lot of work, but it’ll also help you get the most for your money – or save you from spending too much.

Thank you to Justin Menda & Buneka Islam for this guest post.

Learn More About Rocket Prep Tutoring

My name is Justin M. Menda. From my popular in-person individual and small group sessions in the greater Philadelphia area and adjacent regions in PA, NJ, and DE, I have expanded my services online to serve clients around the globe. Contact me now and let’s talk about what I can help your child achieve.


I provide highly customized academic support to help students stay on top of whatever challenges they need to tackle. I help students prepare for the SAT, ACT, SSAT, ISEE, and various academic subjects.


By Pat Bergemier March 5, 2025
6 Common Special Needs Planning Missteps & How to Avoid Them Guest Post by Pat Bergmaier, CFP®, ChSNC® Over the years, I’ve met many well-meaning, loving parents who mistakenly assume they’re “all set” when it comes to handling the unique financial needs of their child with special needs, only to find out later that they’ve missed a key step. It’s understandable, but these situations can often be avoided with some proper planning help. Here are some frequent planning missteps to be aware of that could impact the financial future of your child or family member with special needs.
By Erica Desper November 13, 2024
Where Can I Have My Child Evaluated for Autism, ADHD & Giftedness? If you have concerns about your child's development or learning, then you likely already know that many local providers have waitlists as long as 18-24 months for evaluations. As a parent who was once putting my child's name on those lists, I grew frustrated and made it my mission to collect parent recommended resources with minimal waitlists who can help families get answers as early as possible. Here are many excellent options to consider.
By Erica Desper July 18, 2024
Thank you to Dr. David Danish, President and Psychiatrist at Philadelphia Integrative Psychiatry and Chris Smith, Board Certified Behavior Analyst and Licensed Behavior Specialist for answering this parent question.
By Erica Desper July 16, 2024
Join me in welcoming ABA Centers of Pennsylvania to Bala Cynwyd and Wayne/King of Prussia. They are smashing lengthy local waitlists for autism diagnosis and care, getting children 2-17 years in within 47 days of their initial contact and they work with most major insurances.
By Erica Desper June 3, 2024
Beyond Autism Opens their 3rd Location in Havertown Pa! Beyond Autism is a collaborative center that provides individualized ABA, Speech and Occupational Therapy for children and adolescents diagnosed on the Autism Spectrum. They partner with families living with autism to build a strong foundation for their children in early childhood and beyond and passionately believe that their team inspires and supports change through evidence-based teaching methods and practices. Their newest location recently opened in Havertown and they continue to offer services out of their West Chester and Media locations. Applied Behavior Analysis (ABA) is a scientific, data based field that has utilized principles of learning and behavior for over 30 years to teach children with Autism enhanced social behaviors like self-care, play, motor skills, language, academic, self-help and other living skills. Their typical timeframe to begin services ranges from 2-4 weeks and, best of all, Beyond accepts all major commercial insurances. While they are not a Medicaid provider, they do offer a hardship program for those in need of financial assistance. Beyond offers a variety of service areas which include but are not limited to: Autism Spectrum Disorder Childhood Apraxia of Speech Early Intervention of Speech/Language Delay Expressive and Receptive Language Disorders Fluency/Stuttering Disorders Artic Phonological Disorders Social Skills/Pragmatic Language Deficits Learning Disabilities Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC) Feeding and swallowing Their occupational therapy program focuses on providing skilled based services in the following areas: Activities of daily living (i.e dressing, feeding, toileting & tooth brushing) Sensory processing Fine and gross motor skills Self-regulation and social skills Visual motor & perception skills Play and leisure skills Learn more and contact them at the link below and welcome Beyond Autism to the neighborhood!
By Erin Brown, M.Ed, CRC April 18, 2024
Do you have a child who is exploring potential careers and wishes to do more research? Here are my top 3 websites to explore job goals! O*Net Online O*Net Online is a fabulous website that you could spend hours on. Do you have a specific job that you are interested in researching? You can search for it specifically and you can see all of the job duties associated, the education required, salary information, as well as other jobs that are related to that position. You can also explore jobs based on a specific skill set, by professional associations, job duties, etc. The website also designates which jobs are “bright outcomes”, meaning that the industry is growing and therefore jobs will most likely be available in your field. The website also includes a free interest profile which is helpful in narrowing options. Overall, I could spend hours doing research on O*Net! It is my favorite website by far! Pennsylvania’s Center for Workforce Information & Analysis This website provides labor statistics based on information gathered from the state of Pennsylvania and breaks it down by counties. My favorite statistic to explore is the “Top 50 New Hires”. This is updated every quarter, so it has the most up to date information. This list shows the top 50 employers in each county who have hired workers. This list can be beneficial to explore what type of industries are prevalent in the area that you live in or wish to live in, as well to give ideas of employers to explore for potential jobs. You can find an employer and then search their site for the types of jobs that they are hiring for. The information is extremely interesting, especially when comparing different counties. Occupational Outlook Handbook This website is similar to O*Net Online because it also allows you to explore different job goals in a variety of ways including by pay, educational level, projected new jobs, and projected growth rate. This website is developed using the US Bureau of Labor Statistics. There is a video on the home page which gives you information on how to best use the site. It is another great option for you and your child to explore different job goals. The Pennsylvania Office of Vocational Rehabilitation, or OVR, provides vocational rehabilitation services to help persons with disabilities prepare for, obtain or maintain employment.
By Erin Brown, M.Ed, CRC April 18, 2024
If you are a parent of a child with an intellectual disability or autism, it can be overwhelming knowing which agencies you need to connect with to support your child. One of the first agencies that you should explore is the Office of Developmental Programs (ODP). Pennsylvania’s Office of Developmental Programs has a mission to assist Pennsylvanians with developmental disabilities to achieve greater independence, choice, and opportunity in their lives. Services include (but are not limited to) assistive technology, benefits counseling, community support, therapies, transportation, employment support, educational support, respite care, housing, etc. The services provided are tailored to the needs of your child. You must contact your county ODP office and schedule a time to speak with the intake person who will gather your information. ODP provides services through Administrative Entities. An administrative entity is an agency that can oversee ODP services. As a parent, you will have a choice of which Administrative Entity you would like to work with. It is encouraged to reach out to speak to the different Administrative Entities available to determine which one is the best fit for your family. I also encourage you to discuss with other members of your community who may have worked with them in the past. Once assigned to an administrative entity, you will be assigned to a Supports Coordinator who will be your main point person as you navigate services. It is important that this person is kept in the loop and informed of any important changes. Services are funded through something called a “waiver”. Some waivers are available at birth, therefore there is no need to wait to enroll for ODP. There are different waivers available and although several of them overlap in the types of services they provide, they may differ in the amount of funds that can be spent on a yearly basis. This can impact the number of services your child can access and at times, you may have to prioritize what is most important for them to have. Your supports coordinator will let you know which waiver you are eligible for and will help develop a plan, an Individualized Service Plan, which will outline the services provided. The ISP is updated on an annual basis. I have had discussions with families in the past who have been hesitant to enroll with ODP because they had misconceptions of the services that they provide. They believed that the services were just for individuals with significant cognitive disabilities and that their child would not be eligible. Some families I have worked with didn’t realize that individuals with autism were eligible for ODP as well. In reality, ODP provides funding for an extensive amount of services. If your child is going to need supported employment services, ODP will work hand in hand with the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation to provide the on-going on-site support. ODP funds have also been used to pay for the tuition for autism programs through universities. I have also seen ODP funds be used to fund Uber rides to and from employment. Your supports coordinator will be the one to assist you in determining how funds are used. Why is it important to enroll now versus waiting? For some waivers, it may be first come first served and may require for you to join a wait list. The number so individuals accessing these services continues to grow and there are limits to the funding available. In addition, it is important to have the supports coordinator involved early so that they can assist with the transition out of high school. In addition, to be eligible, you must provide documentation and complete an application. This process can take time, so you do not want to wait to get started. For more information about ODP, please visit ODP’s website which features The Gold Book , which explains services and waivers in digestible way.
By Erin Brown, M.Ed, CRC April 15, 2024
Whether your teen or young adult is moving toward post secondary education or employment, Certified Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor Erin Brown has tips for a smoother transition... In PA, planning for the transition from high school to employment and/or post-secondary education begins at age 14, however, it's never too late to start! Here are things to keep in mind when planning and implementing a transition plan. Talk About Employment Early Students are typically only exposed to jobs they interact with so you'll want to widen their exposure as well as discuss their interests and hobbies and how those might intersect with potential employment opportunities. Learn what positions are available within a field of interest and what educational levels are required for those fields and positions. In order to obtain services from the Office of Vocational Rehabilitation , the student must have one specific job goal that they are working towards in order to determine what services they will receive. Know Agency Timelines There are many programs and agencies to support your student at any age but they have varying, and often inflexible, timelines. Learning what is available to and creating a timeline for when to start the process with each agency will help you avoid missing needed support. Practice Advocacy Now A crucial skill for your student to develop for both employment and postsecondary education is the ability to speak about their disability and support needs. Involving them in IEP meetings can afford them practice and confidence in this area which they can utilize down the road in speaking with professors, employers and more. Practice Soft Skills Soft skills are the skills your student will need to be successful with any job or education program. These include hygiene, dressing appropriately, professional communication, comfort in interviews, taking feedback , learning to wake up independently and on time and much more. All the things your teen, especially if they are neurodivergent, likely struggles with! Find Employment Opportunities Employment opportunities allow your student to experience the work setting first-hand and to learn what they do and do not like regarding tasks, setting and and which skill areas need improvement. Often learning what they don't like is even more valuable than learning what they do like. Any type of paid or unpaid work experience will be a valuable experience in determining those things. Who Can Help A transition counselor or consultant can work with you and your student when planning for and embarking on transition services by: * Discussing employment goals * Reviewing current services received by school district/agencies * Reviewing available agencies client should be connected to * Reviewing potential programs/services client may be interested in * Discussing tangible goals and plans, both in the short term and plans for future years dependent on where they are in the transition/employment process * Working with your child to come up with a schedule that will look at not only their upcoming assignments and tests but will also help prioritize what they need to be working on and introduce organizational techniques that they can use independently in future semesters or years
By Sarah Peritz, Center for CBT February 9, 2024
Wondering if your child's behaviors are typical or a sign of something more? Our friends at the Center for Cognitive Behavioral Therapy can help!... Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that is marked by difficulties with social communication/interaction, as well as restricted or repetitive behaviors or interests. Kids with ASD can begin showing signs as early as 12 months of age, but it’s typically recommended that families wait until 18-24 months to get formal testing. By age 2, a diagnosis by an experienced ASD evaluation expert can be considered reliable. Depending on a child’s developmental milestones, the specific symptoms they may be showing, and where they lie on the ASD spectrum, ASD can easily be misdiagnosed or go unnoticed. Due to missed signs and behaviors, it is important for parents and caregivers to understand what some potential signs and symptoms of ASD may be. In younger children, signs of ASD include: *Avoiding eye contact *Disengagement with games or playing with peers *Lack of pretend play *Toileting troubles *Sensory sensitivity (i.e., touch, smell, noise) *Tantrums that occur more often and last longer than peers In older children, signs of ASD include: *Difficulty engaging with the back and forth flow of conversations *Difficulty with perspective-taking (i.e., seeing another’s point of view, understanding how another is feeling) *Tendency to discuss a specific topic for an overly extended period of time *Struggles with interpreting nonverbal language of others such as body movements, facial expressions, nonverbal cues *Repetitive movements or behaviors such as flapping one’s hands (often called stimming) *Rigidity regarding routines If your child is displaying these characteristics, give your pediatrician a call and ask for a screening to determine whether a more extensive ASD evaluation would be indicated. If not, feel free to give us a call (267-551-1984) and we can help you figure out whether you should pursue a full assessment for ASD. One thing to note is that the earlier you get a proper diagnosis and treatment, the better the outcomes for your child will be. Proper Autism testing should be comprehensive and include multiple sources of information (including the Autism Diagnostic Observation Schedule, which is the hallmark component of the gold-standard Autism assessment battery). The Autism evaluation experts at the Center for CBT offer extremely comprehensive, accurate Autism evaluations that include detailed treatment plan recommendations and next steps for your child. You can read more about our ASD evaluations at the Center for CBT here or give us a call for a consultation directly with an Autism evaluation specialist at 267-551-1984.
Share by: