Education Business Ideas You Can Start in the US

156 ideas

These 158 education business ideas suit people who enjoy teaching, coaching or helping others learn, whether you are a former teacher, a subject expert or a parent who sees a local gap. You could start small with an online tutoring and study support service or online piano lessons, or build toward something with premises, like kids' language classes in rented space.

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Under 1k1k to 5k5k to 20kOver 20kFrom homeOut and aboutOwn premisesOnline
A smiling nanny playing with a young child in a family living room.

Local nanny placement agency

Match screened nannies with families in your area and earn a fee for each successful placement.

  • $1.5k-6k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
7,679 US businesses with employees in this field, +9.2% in a year
A smiling nanny playing with a young child in a family living room.

Babysitter and backup care staffing agency

Employ vetted sitters and nannies and send them to families, hotels and events on short notice or by the hour.

  • $4k-15k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
7,679 US businesses with employees in this field, +9.2% in a year
Adult students following a teacher at a whiteboard in an English language class.

Online English tutor for adult learners

Teach English by video to learners abroad or nearby, one-to-one or in small groups.

  • $100-800
  • Side hustle
  • Online
1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year
Adult students following a teacher at a whiteboard in an English language class.

Small group English classes for newcomers

Run evening or weekend English classes for immigrants and workers in rented community space.

  • $500-3k
  • Part-time
  • Out and about
1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year
A bright teaching kitchen with an instructor guiding students at cooking stations.

Pop-up cooking classes in rented kitchens

Teach hands-on cooking classes in rented kitchens, community venues or students' homes, with no premises of your own.

  • $600-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
A bright teaching kitchen with an instructor guiding students at cooking stations.

Online live cooking classes

Teach cook-along classes over video from your own kitchen to students anywhere.

  • $300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
A bright teaching kitchen with an instructor guiding students at cooking stations.

Small cooking school with its own teaching kitchen

Open a small teaching kitchen with regular classes, courses and private events for home cooks.

  • $30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
Students learning hands-on skills in a vocational training workshop.

Hands-on trade skills training center

Rent a small space and teach short, job-focused courses in a skill you know, like welding, medical billing or CDL prep.

  • $15k-60k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
Students learning hands-on skills in a vocational training workshop.

Online career training courses

Teach a job-focused skill or certification prep through live online cohorts, working from home.

  • $1.5k-8k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
Teacher leading a foreign language class with students seated at tables.

Online language tutor

Teach a language you speak well through live one-to-one video lessons for adults and students.

  • $100-800
  • Side hustle
  • Online
1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year
Teacher leading a foreign language class with students seated at tables.

Kids' language classes in rented space

Run weekly small-group language classes for children in a library room, church hall or community center.

  • $500-3k
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year
Teacher leading a foreign language class with students seated at tables.

Neighborhood language school

Open a small school with a few classrooms offering classes for kids and adults in one or more languages.

  • $8k-40k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
1,558 US businesses with employees in this field, -1.6% in a year
A childminder playing with toddlers on a rug in a cosy home setting.

Licensed family child care at home

Look after a small group of young children in your own home while their parents work.

  • $3k-12k
  • Full-time
  • From home
82,162 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.5% in a year
A childminder playing with toddlers on a rug in a cosy home setting.

Before and after school care at home

Care for school-age kids in your home before and after school, with snacks, homework time and play.

  • $300-3k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
82,162 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.5% in a year
Students working quietly at shared desks in a bright study centre or library.

Small tutoring and study center

Rent a small space and run after-school tutoring and quiet study sessions for local students.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
Students working quietly at shared desks in a bright study centre or library.

Home study hub for local students

Host a few students at a time at home for tutoring and supervised study after school.

  • $200-2k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
Teacher and young children learning together in a bright nursery classroom.

Home-based bilingual child care

Care for a small group of young children in your home, with daily play and learning in two languages.

  • $2k-10k
  • Full-time
  • From home
82,162 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.5% in a year
Teacher and young children learning together in a bright nursery classroom.

Small bilingual preschool center

Open a small licensed preschool in rented space with a team teaching young children in two languages.

  • $30k-150k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
82,162 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.5% in a year
A tutor teaching a small group of students at a table in a classroom.

Online test prep coach

Coach students for the SAT, ACT or other exams over video, one-to-one or in small groups.

  • $300-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
A tutor teaching a small group of students at a table in a classroom.

Small test prep learning center

Rent a small space and run test prep classes and tutoring for local students after school and on weekends.

  • $10k-45k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
Students studying together at desks in a tutoring centre classroom.

One-to-one SAT and ACT tutor

Coach local high schoolers one-to-one for the SAT or ACT, in their home, online or at your kitchen table.

  • $200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • From home
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
Students studying together at desks in a tutoring centre classroom.

Small test prep center with group classes

Rent a small space and run group SAT, ACT or entrance exam classes plus one-to-one sessions.

  • $5k-25k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
Students studying together at desks in a tutoring centre classroom.

Online test prep tutor and live classes

Teach exam prep over video, through live group classes and one-to-one sessions for families anywhere in your state.

  • $100-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year
Instructor teaching software skills to adults in a computer training room.

Online computer skills classes

Teach Excel, Microsoft 365, or other software skills to learners through live online classes.

  • $200-1.5k
  • Side hustle
  • Online
1,633 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year

About these ideas

Before choosing, think about who you want to teach, what age group, and whether you want to work online or in person. Check whether your state requires licensing, background checks or registration for the type of teaching you plan to do, especially with children. Also consider how many students you need to cover costs and how you will find them.

More ideas

Questions

Do I need teaching credentials to start an education business in the US?

It depends on the idea and your state. Private tutoring often has no credential requirement, but preschools, schools and some programs may be regulated. Check with your state education or child care agency before you launch or advertise.

What should I check before teaching children?

Look at your state and local rules on background checks, child care licensing, insurance and safe premises. Rules often differ for tutoring, classes and full-time care, so confirm which category your idea falls into with the relevant authority.

Is it cheaper to start an education business online or in person?

Online ideas usually need less upfront spending, mainly a laptop, software and marketing. In-person options may involve rent, insurance and materials. Compare your expected costs with how many students you could realistically enroll and what you could charge.