The Dubai School Fees Index 2026
What Dubai families actually pay: published tuition across 223 private schools, by curriculum and KHDA rating. Built from public fee sheets and KHDA inspection data.
Key findings
- Median starting fee: AED 22,000
- Average starting fee: AED 28,197
- 69% of schools start under AED 40,000
- Full range: AED 4,000 to AED 95,000
Average starting fee by curriculum
| IB (21) | AED 48,143 |
|---|---|
| French (6) | AED 38,500 |
| British (90) | AED 35,056 |
| American (40) | AED 24,775 |
| Other (30) | AED 14,900 |
| Indian (CBSE) (36) | AED 12,583 |
Average starting fee by KHDA rating
| Outstanding (23) | AED 50,174 |
|---|---|
| Very Good (54) | AED 40,796 |
| Good (101) | AED 22,663 |
| Acceptable (44) | AED 14,136 |
| Weak (1) | AED 20,000 |
Schools by fee band
| Under AED 40,000 | 153 schools (69%) |
|---|---|
| AED 40,000-80,000 | 67 schools (30%) |
| Over AED 80,000 | 3 schools (1%) |
Most affordable
- Indian High School, Al Garhoud — Al Garhoud, KHDA Good, fees AED 4,000–7,000
- 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 5,500–9,500
- The Indian High School, Dubai — Al Karama, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 6,000–11,000
- GEMS Our Own — Al Qusais, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 7,000–14,000
Most expensive
- North London Collegiate School Middle East L.L.C - FZ — Dubai Hills, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 95,000–140,000
- North London Collegiate School Dubai — Dubai Hills, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 95,000–140,000
- Dubai College — Al Sufouh, KHDA Outstanding, fees AED 85,000–120,000
- Royal Grammar School Guildford L.L.C — Dubai Hills, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 78,000–120,000
- Swiss International Scientific School in Dubai (SISD) — Dubai Healthcare City, KHDA Very Good, fees AED 72,000–111,000
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 223 Dubai private schools is AED 28,197 a year; the median is AED 22,000. Senior year groups cost more.
Do higher-rated Dubai schools cost more?
Yes. KHDA Outstanding schools average AED 50,174 — 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 48,143); 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.