High school cost calculator
Work out what you can spend on school each month, and which kinds of school fit your budget.
The high school cost calculator from UCT Online High School shows which kinds of school fit your monthly budget. Enter what you can spend on school and how many children you’re planning for. It compares no-fee public, fee-charging public, private and online schools, and adds up the hidden costs.
Nothing you enter is saved or sent anywhere. It all stays on your device.
Calculator
How it works
Three steps to a school budget
Set your budget
Enter what you can spend on school each month and how many children you’re planning for. Not sure? Work out your disposable income from your income and expenses first.
Add the hidden costs
Uniforms, transport, lunch and data add up. Add them for traditional and online schooling to see the full monthly cost of each.
See your options
The calculator divides your budget by the number of children and lists every kind of school whose average monthly fee fits within it.
Where the averages come from
The calculator uses the average monthly fees per child from our March 2023 cost calculator spreadsheet. A school type appears in your options when your budget per child is at least:
- No-fee public schoolR0 per month
- Online schoolR2,500 per month
- Fee-charging public schoolR2,750 per month
- Private schoolR8,000 per month
Fees differ from school to school and go up every year, so use these as a starting point.
What UCT Online High School costs
The calculator’s online school average is R2,500 per month. Our 2026 tuition for Grades 8 to 12 is R2,985 per month over 12 instalments, or R30,447 for the year paid upfront, plus a once-off placement fee.
FAQs
Questions about paying for school
Are Grade 12 exam fees included in tuition?
No. SACAI, the external examination body, sets Grade 12 exam fees each year and they are paid separately, by 1 March of the Grade 12 year. They cover candidate registration, registration and exam placement for each subject, and delivery of the NSC certificate. Most learners pay about R12,000, depending on their subjects.
Can I combine the upfront and sibling savings?
No. Each learner can use one saving on their fees: either 15% off for paying the year upfront, or 5% off for each additional sibling. If you are not sure which works out better for your family, contact our admissions team and we will help you work it out.
Is the placement fee refundable?
No. The R599 placement fee is non-refundable and non-transferable, and it is not offset against tuition. It covers your child’s final placement: pre-onboarding, record verification and the technology licences we buy on their behalf. Pay it by card in the application portal within seven days of receiving your offer.
Can’t find your answer? Browse all FAQs or contact our admissions team.
Want the full picture?
Our free guide, The Real Cost of High School, covers hidden costs, funding and savings tips, and a checklist for comparing schools.