The global private tutoring market is worth more than $100 billion, and entrepreneurs who want to enjoy a slice of that pie can consider buying into one of the top 10 tutoring franchises of 2018.
In the U.S., tutoring is a $7 billion industry, and tutoring franchises as a group raked in over $1 billion in revenues last year, a figure that’s poised to grow robustly in coming years now that the dampening effect of the Great Recession has finally dissipated. More than ever before, millions of parents are willing to invest in helping their kids do better in school, whether it’s remedial help or trying to get a leg up on college admissions.
A rising trend that has yet to fully work its way into many of the franchises on this list is the rapid growth of online tutoring for college-bound students – the North American market of which was valued at $25.27 billion in 2016 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 6.15% from now through 2020 – something to pay attention to as you examine the list.
Here are our picks for the 10 best tutoring franchises of 2018:
1. Kumon Math and Reading Centers
Kumon Math and Reading Centers offer a proven worksheet method to boost a child’s mastery of both math and reading. The worksheets are carefully crafted as short, incremental assignments that take about 30 minutes to complete. Tutors check the sheets to ensure the child has mastered the concepts of that sheet before moving on. Each worksheet provides the knowledge needed to solve the problems, enabling self-learning of each new concept. There are more than 25,859 Kumon Centers scattered all over the world, with 1,489 in the U.S. and 32 that are company-owned.
2. Eye Level Learning Centers
Eye Level Learning Centers provide supplemental instruction in math and English from a philosophy of starting by seeing things from the student’s eye level. Students learn at their own pace, starting from a thorough understanding of their learning needs. In addition to solid foundations in math and English achieved through incremental learning, the goal is to develop critical thinking and analytical skills, self-confidence, and an interest in learning. Founded in 1976 in Korea, the number of locations has expanded over the past 10 years from 671 in 2007 to the current total of 1,413, of which 797 are company-owned and 385 are located outside the U.S.
3. Mathnasium Learning Centers
Mathnasium Learning Centers focus solely on teaching math to kids in a way that makes sense to them. Its proprietary Mathnasium Method begins with a customized assessment to pinpoint a child’s learning needs and helps avoid wasting time on concepts they already know. Ongoing learning assessments ensure that what they’ve learned sticks. Proprietary methods and materials are then administered by trained Mathnasium instructors to teach the needed concepts. Founded in 2002 and franchising since 2003, the number of locations has expanded steadily over the past 10 years from 192 in 2007 to the current total of 852, of which 13 are company-owned and 93 are located outside the U.S.
4. Sylvan Learning
Sylvan Learning provides tutoring, math instruction, STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) education, test prep, and college prep services using certified Sylvan teachers who provide highly personalized instruction. Students receiving Sylvan tutoring see up to three times more growth in their math and reading scores than other students. Its math instruction students get up to two times more growth in math scores than their peers. Founded in 1979 and franchising since 1980, the number of locations has declined over the last 10 years from 1,120 in 2007 to the current total of 615, of which 14 are company-owned and 92 are located outside the U.S.
5. JEI Learning Centers
JEI Learning Centers provide students with its self-paced individualized self-learning materials for math and English (reading and writing) that teach in a step-by-step incremental way that is aligned with state standards. Using its proprietary scientific diagnostic system to pinpoint each student’s strengths and weaknesses, a prescriptive study program is then developed. New concepts and skills are taught through weekly workbooks, at the end of which an Interim Test is given to evaluate the level of mastery of the material. Founded in South Korea in 1977, there are currently 547 locations, of which 246 are company-owned and 220 are located outside the U.S.
6. Tutor Doctor
Tutor Doctor provides in-home, one-on-one tutoring across all ages, grade levels, and subjects after getting to know how a student learns in order to adapt tutoring techniques to meet their needs. The process begins with a free consultation and assessment, from which the company then uses its advanced matching system to find the tutor that best suits the student. It also includes the X-Skills program to help students develop the executive skills essential to academic success. Founded in 2000 and franchising since 2003, the number of locations has increased rapidly over the last 10 years from just eight locations in 2007 to the current total of 531, of which 237 are located outside the U.S.
7. Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services
Club Z! In-Home Tutoring Services includes both in-home and online one-on-one tutoring and test prep services to students without the competitive aspect often found in the classroom. It covers all grade levels and subjects and the tutors communicate with the student’s classroom teacher(s) to ensure they are complementing the school curriculum. On average, students improve by 2 letter grades in 60 days. Tutors are available when needed, including evenings, weekends, and during school breaks. Founded in 1995, the number of locations has declined slightly in recent years from a high of 433 in 2009 to the current total of 384, of which 16 are located outside the U.S.
8. Huntington Learning Centers
Huntington Learning Centers provide highly individualized tutoring and test prep services to students through personalized learning plans developed after a full academic evaluation that identifies learning needs. All instructors are certified and trained, and Huntington Learning Centers are accredited by the same organizations that accredit local schools, which is rarely found in tutors or tutoring companies. On average, their students see 2+ grade levels of growth in reading and math, and better their SAT scores by 200+ points. Founded in 1977 and franchising since 1985, there are 280 locations, 35 of which are company-owned with the remainder being franchised U.S. locations.
9. Best in Class Education Center
Best in Class Education Center offers math and English enrichment instruction in weekly 60 to 75-minute small group classes, private one-on-one tutoring across all subjects, and test prep (including preparation for gifted program entrance exams). It also offers math and English classes for pre-K learners aged 3-5, along with a variety of other offerings including after-school programs, summer camps, college prep, TOEFL/IELTS instruction, and a writing skills assessment. There are currently 48 locations, all franchised in the U.S.
10. Above Grade Level In-Home Tutoring
Above Grade Level In-Home Tutoring guarantees that its in-home, one-on-one tutoring methods will improve a student’s math or English grade by at least one full grade level, or 10 percentage points, if they complete 35 tutoring sessions following the individualized learning program. If that goal is not met, the student can receive an additional 15 hours of tutoring free of charge. Tutoring begins after a comprehensive online assessment to pinpoint learning needs and a customized plan is developed based on the student’s school curriculum. Franchising since 2009, there are currently 23 locations, of which six are located outside the U.S.
An Important Note About Our Methodology
The franchises on this list were ranked according to the number of units in the franchise system. If you are a prospective franchisee searching for franchise opportunities that meet or exceed certain performance benchmarks for sales, profits, and return on investment, please check out this list of America’s Most Lucrative Franchises.
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