2026 National Study Reveals Increasing Costs of High-Quality Reading Tutoring Across America

DENVER, CO / ACCESS Newswire / January 27, 2026 /A new national study conducted by The Reading Guru - the 2026 National Reading Tutoring Cost Study - has shed light on the increasing costs of high-quality reading tutoring in the 25 largest metro areas across the United States.

The data, gathered from a comprehensive analysis of tutoring fees charged by more than 80 tutoring services nationally, highlights both the high overall costs that parents are paying to ensure their kids learn to read and significant variations in pricing from city to city.

Key findings from the study include:

• The average cost nationally for a 60-minute session with a Science of Reading / Orton-Gillingham tutor is now $113.06.

• Since 2024, the average cost of Science of Reading / Orton-Gillingham tutoring has increased by 4.6% percent.

• For a typical 9-month course of tutoring, once per week, that amounts to an average cost nationally of $4,409!

• Los Angeles has taken the crown for the highest average cost per-60 minute session, coming in at $185.00, up a whopping 13.5%.

• Parents in New York, NY are saving a little bit, as the market now suffers only the second highest average cost per 60-minute session, down from first, coming in at $161.67, down 1.6%.

• Parents in Washington, DC, face an average cost of $156.67 per hour, up 8.4%, making it one of the priciest markets for Orton-Gillingham tutoring.

• Phoenix, AZ still has the lowest Orton-Gillingham tutoring costs in the nation, with an average cost of $75.42 per session, but that number is up 15% since the last study.

In light of the substantial declines in reading performance seen in the recent National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) report, commonly known as The Nation 's Report Card, the cost and availability of Orton-Gillingham reading tutoring has become a real issue.

Since many school districts still haven 't switched to Science of Reading-based curricula, parents increasingly rely on private tutoring to help their children catch up. The costs, unfortunately, can be significant, ranging from $4,409 for a typical 9-month course of tutoring, once per week, up to $11,758 for a year-long course of tutoring, twice per week.

"This updated study demonstrates the significant costs for Orton-Gillingham tutoring overall, and also helps us see the differences in the cost of Orton-Gillingham reading tutoring services between different metro areas, " said Joanna Brown, founder and CEO of The Reading Guru, a leading provider of online Orton-Gillingham reading tutoring. "Working with an online provider can offer significant savings for parents in high-cost cities, but it 's worth noting that as tutors increasingly work online, costs are going up even in less expensive tutoring markets. "

Additionally, Brown explains, "This year, even more reading tutoring companies were non-responsive or completely maxed out - no available slots for new students. It 's so important that kids with dyslexia or other reading difficulties get the right help, which means Orton-Gillingham-based tutoring, when they need it. Don 't give up! Parents should keep contacting tutors until they find a qualified reading tutor, in-person or online, with the right OG tutoring skills. "

The Science of Reading emphasizes the need for systematic, explicit instruction in phonics, phonemic awareness, and decoding skills, all of which are central components of the Orton-Gillingham approach, noted Joanna Brown. "Orton-Gillingham tutoring can play a critical role in closing literacy gaps and fostering academic success, especially as kids are increasingly exposed to addictive apps and AI. "

With a growing recognition of the importance of evidence-based approaches to literacy education, Orton-Gillingham stands out as a research-supported method for helping struggling readers, particularly those with dyslexia.

The study also revealed notable mid-range markets, with Miami, Stamford (CT), Seattle, Boston, San Francisco, San Diego, New Jersey, Baltimore, Orlando, Dallas, Tampa, Denver, and Atlanta averaging between $95.50 and $128.67 per 60-minute session with a high-quality reading tutor.

Despite the wide range of costs, the demand for Orton-Gillingham tutoring continues to increase across the nation, reflecting its effectiveness in supporting individuals with dyslexia and other reading difficulties.

For more information on the study details, please contact Seth Brown at 646-295-5534 or visit the study website at https://readingguru.com/the-reading-guru-national-reading-tutoring-cost-study/.

To learn more about The Reading Guru, visit readingguru.com.

About The Reading Guru

Founded in 2010, The Reading Guru is the nation 's leading provider of online Orton-Gillingham reading tutor services. The company also offers in-person reading tutoring in New York City, New Jersey, Denver, and Austin. Joanna Brown, founder and CEO of The Reading Guru, is a master Orton-Gillingham reading tutor with more than 15 years of experience providing personalized, one-on-one reading instruction. Joanna and her team at The Reading Guru use an individualized, tailored personal approach with students and have consistently achieved outstanding results.

For more information about The Reading Guru, visit readingguru.com.

Media Contact:

Company: The Reading Guru
Contact person: Seth Brown
Website: readingguru.com
Email: seth@readingguru.com

SOURCE:The Reading Guru

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