The Dubai School Fees Index 2026
What Dubai families actually pay: published tuition across 219 private schools, by curriculum and KHDA rating. Built from public fee sheets and KHDA inspection data.
Key findings
- Median starting fee: AED 21,372
- Average starting fee: AED 28,085
- 72% of schools start under AED 40,000
- Full range: AED 4,000 to AED 97,415
Average starting fee by curriculum
| IB (20) | AED 46,547 |
|---|---|
| French (6) | AED 38,500 |
| British (88) | AED 35,250 |
| American (40) | AED 25,361 |
| Other (30) | AED 14,588 |
| Indian (CBSE) (35) | AED 12,420 |
Average starting fee by KHDA rating
| Outstanding (23) | AED 53,435 |
|---|---|
| Very Good (49) | AED 38,207 |
| Good (102) | AED 23,715 |
| Acceptable (44) | AED 13,879 |
| Weak (1) | AED 20,000 |
Schools by fee band
| Under AED 40,000 | 157 schools (72%) |
|---|---|
| AED 40,000-80,000 | 59 schools (27%) |
| Over AED 80,000 | 3 schools (1%) |
Most affordable
- Indian High School, Al Garhoud — Al Garhoud, KHDA Good, fees AED 4,000–7,000
- The Central School — Deira, KHDA Acceptable, fees AED 4,081–7,183
- New Indian Model School, Dubai — Al Karama, KHDA Good, fees AED 4,500–8,000
- Gulf Indian High School (GIHS) — Al Karama, KHDA Good, fees AED 4,989–9,434
- The Indian High School, Dubai — Al Karama, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 6,000–11,000
Most expensive
- Dubai College — Al Sufouh, KHDA Outstanding, fees AED 97,415–110,305
- North London Collegiate School Dubai — Dubai Hills, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 95,000–140,000
- Dubai English Speaking College — Oud Metha, KHDA Outstanding, fees AED 84,325–90,633
- Jumeirah College — Umm Suqeim, KHDA Outstanding, fees AED 78,946–98,681
- Royal Grammar School Guildford L.L.C — Dubai Hills, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 78,758–119,713
Cite: Dubai School Fees Index 2026, DXB Schools — https://www.dxbschools.com/dubai-school-fees-index-2026
Frequently asked questions
What is the average school fee in Dubai?
The average published starting fee across 219 Dubai private schools is AED 28,085 a year; the median is AED 21,372. Senior year groups cost more.
Do higher-rated Dubai schools cost more?
Yes. KHDA Outstanding schools average AED 53,435 — about 3 times the average for Weak schools (AED 20,000).
Which curriculum is most expensive in Dubai?
On average, IB schools have the highest starting fees (AED 46,547); Indian (CBSE) schools are the most affordable.
Method: starting (lowest year-group) published fees; KHDA ratings from official inspection reports. Always confirm current fees with the school. Methodology.