Small group tutoring center

Rent a small space and run after-school small group classes with a few tutors.

Startup cost$5k to $25k
Monthly revenue$2k to $10k
Time needed25+ h/week
First incomeMonths
  • $5k-25k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises

Estimates for a small start in the US, not guarantees.

Official data

9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

NAICS 611691 “Exam preparation and tutoring”. Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns 2023.

What it is

A small rented room or storefront where students come after school for small group tutoring, homework clubs and test prep, led by you and a few part-time tutors.

Your first three steps

  1. Test demand by running a pilot group in a library, church hall or community room
  2. Research rents and zoning for small commercial space near schools in your area
  3. Form an LLC, get an EIN and set up insurance before signing a lease
Who pays

Parents who want a regular after-school routine and structured help for their children.

How it makes money

Monthly fees per student for weekly sessions, plus seasonal test prep courses. Group sizes let you earn more per tutor hour.

Skills that help
  • Teaching and curriculum planning
  • Hiring and managing tutors
  • Basic bookkeeping and marketing
Watch out for
  • Zoning, occupancy and fire code rules for the space, check with your city or county
  • Background checks for staff working with minors, check your state's requirements
  • General liability insurance, and workers' compensation once you hire employees
  • Lease commitments and slow months in summer, so keep some cash in reserve

Deep research report · US

Everything you need to start: small group tutoring center

Researched with live web search for United States: real startup prices, the licences and rules, what others charge, a break-even example, how to find your first customers and a 30-day launch plan. With sources.

  • Startup costs with real prices
  • Licences, registration and rules
  • Pricing: what others charge
  • Break-even example
  • Finding your first customers
  • 30-day launch plan
  • Risks and how to reduce them
Ready in about 2 minutes · one-off payment, tax included

See a full sample report

Questions people ask

How much does it cost to open a tutoring center?

Startup costs are typically around $5,000 to $25,000, depending on your space, lease terms and equipment. These are estimates, so get real quotes for rent and setup. Keep some cash in reserve for slow months in summer.

How much can a small tutoring center earn?

Monthly revenue is typically around $2,000 to $10,000, depending on how many students enroll, your fees and how many tutors you use. Expect quieter months in summer, so plan your cash flow around that.

What rules apply to running a tutoring center?

Check zoning, occupancy and fire code rules for your space with your city or county. Also check your state's background check requirements for staff working with minors, and insurance such as general liability and workers' compensation once you hire.

Other ways to run this business

Online subject tutor

Teach school subjects one-to-one over video to students across your state or beyond.

  • $50-600
  • Side hustle
  • Online
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

In-person home tutor

Visit local students at home or the library for one-to-one help with school subjects.

  • $50-800
  • Side hustle
  • Out and about
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

Similar teaching and tutoring ideas

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 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
Instructor teaching software skills to adults in a computer training room.

Small computer training center

Rent a small classroom and run evening and weekend classes in computer and software skills.

  • $5k-25k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
1,633 US businesses with employees in this field, +0.2% in a year
Adults attending a practical skills course in a bright training room.

Small short-course training center

Rent a small classroom space and run scheduled short courses for individuals and employers.

  • $5k-25k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
8,067 US businesses with employees in this field, +2.0% in a year
A tutor helping a pupil work through maths problems on a whiteboard at a desk.

Small math learning center

Rent a small space and run after-school math classes and tutoring for local students.

  • $5k-25k
  • Full-time
  • Own premises
9,820 US businesses with employees in this field, -4.5% in a year

Local real estate licensing school

Run state-approved pre-licensing classes in a small rented classroom for people starting a real estate career.

  • $8k-30k
  • Part-time
  • Own premises
4,657 US businesses with employees in this field, -0.5% in a year
More ideas →