How Much Does Private School Cost in Colombia? My Real Cost as an Expat Living in Ibagué

If you’re considering moving to Colombia with children, one of the biggest questions you’ll probably have is how much it actually costs to raise a family here.

Education is an important part of that calculation.

My name is Trevor Hogarth, and I’ve been living in Colombia for about six years. I’m Canadian, my wife is Colombian, and we’ve built our family life here in Ibagué, Tolima. I have two boys who attend private school, and I wanted to share exactly what I pay.

I won’t mention the name of the school because of my children’s privacy and security, but I can give you a real-world look at private school costs in Colombia and what my family gets for the money.

If you’re seriously considering a move to Colombia and would like personalized help with your plans, you can learn more about my Colombia Relocation Consultation.

Updated: August 14, 2026

raising a family in ibague colombia

How Much Does Private School Cost in Colombia?

I currently pay approximately 1,000,000 Colombian pesos per month for each of my boys to attend private school in Ibagué.

That works out to approximately:

  • 1,000,000 COP per month per child
  • 12,000,000 COP per year per child at the regular monthly rate
  • Approximately 2,000,000 COP per month for my two boys
  • Approximately 24,000,000 COP per year for two children before my prepayment discount

However, I don’t actually pay the school month-to-month.

I Prepay the School Year to Save Money

The school allows parents to pay monthly, but I choose to prepay the school year.

By paying in advance, I receive approximately a 10% discount on the yearly cost.

For me, this makes sense because the school expense is something I’m going to have regardless, so I’d rather pay upfront and take advantage of the discount.

If you’re planning your own cost of living in Colombia, this is worth keeping in mind. The monthly tuition is useful for budgeting, but your actual annual cost can be lower if your school offers a discount for paying in advance.

What Do My Kids Get for the Money?

One of the things I like about private school in Colombia is the range of activities available to the students.

The school isn’t simply about sitting in a classroom all day.

There are sports and other activities, including:

  • Soccer
  • Basketball
  • Physical activities
  • Outdoor activities
  • English instruction

English is particularly important to me as a Canadian.

My boys are Colombian, but I want them to have strong English skills as they grow up. Having English as part of their education gives them another opportunity to develop the language.

If you’re an English-speaking expat considering a move to Colombia with children, I’d specifically ask about English instruction when comparing schools.

What Are the School Hours?

The school schedule my boys follow is:

Monday to Thursday: 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.

So the children have relatively long school days from Monday through Thursday, followed by a much shorter Friday.

For parents who work remotely, run a business or otherwise need their children to be occupied during the day, this can be very convenient.

Of course, every school is different, so check the schedule of the individual school you’re considering.

Colombian Schools Have Plenty of Vacations and Days Off

Another thing you’ll notice when raising children in Colombia is that the school calendar includes quite a few vacations, holidays and days off throughout the year.

That’s probably normal for children anywhere, but the school calendar may be different from what you’re accustomed to if you’re coming from Canada, the United States or another country.

If you’re moving to Colombia with children, I’d recommend looking at the complete school calendar before making plans for work, travel and childcare.

What Are the Teachers Like?

One of the things I appreciate most about my boys’ school is the teachers.

In my experience, the teachers are very nice and caring.

That’s important to me as a parent.

When you’re raising children in another country, you want to know that they’re comfortable at school and that the people teaching them genuinely care about their education.

And perhaps most importantly, my boys really like the school.

That’s probably the best endorsement I can give it.

The School Is Beautiful

I’m also happy with the physical environment.

The school is beautiful, and the children have access to facilities where they can learn, play sports and spend time with their friends.

For approximately 1 million COP per month per child, I’ve been happy with the overall value.

I’m deliberately not naming the school because of my children’s privacy and security. I’m sharing my family’s experience to give other parents an idea of what private school in Colombia can actually cost, rather than recommending a particular school.

Is Private School Expensive in Colombia?

Compared with private education in Canada, the cost I’m paying is quite reasonable.

But it’s important not to assume that every private school in Colombia costs 1 million COP per month.

There is a huge range.

You can find relatively inexpensive private schools, more expensive schools, bilingual schools and high-end international schools. Prices can also vary considerably between cities.

A family looking at schools in Bogotá or Medellín, for example, may encounter a very different price range from a family living in a smaller city such as Ibagué.

That’s one reason it’s useful to consider the overall cost of living in Colombia, rather than focusing on one expense in isolation.

If you’re seriously considering relocating and want to discuss your situation, you can also learn more about my Colombia Relocation Consultation.

Private School vs. Public School in Colombia

Colombia has a public education system, so private school isn’t your only option.

Many Colombian families choose private schools, while others use public education.

For my family, private school makes sense.

I’m comfortable paying the cost because I like the school environment, I like the teachers, my boys enjoy going there and I like the educational opportunities they’re receiving.

The English component is another major factor for me.

Ultimately, every family has to decide what works best for their children and budget.

What About International Schools in Colombia?

If you’re moving to Colombia from another country and specifically want an international school, you should expect to pay considerably more in many cases.

International schools can offer different curricula, extensive bilingual education and programs designed in part for international families.

They can also be significantly more expensive than the approximately 1 million COP per month I’m paying.

So if you’re searching for an international school in Colombia, don’t use my personal school cost as your benchmark.

My experience is with a private school in Ibagué, Tolima, not a high-end international school.

That distinction could make a very large difference to your education budget.

What Should You Look for When Choosing a School in Colombia?

If you’re moving to Colombia with children, I’d recommend visiting several schools before making your decision.

Don’t choose a school based solely on price.

I’d look at:

  • Curriculum
  • English-language instruction
  • Class sizes
  • Teacher quality
  • Sports and extracurricular activities
  • School hours
  • Vacation schedule
  • Transportation
  • Location
  • Security
  • Facilities
  • What other parents think
  • Whether your child actually likes the environment

The most expensive school isn’t necessarily the best school for your child.

And the cheapest school isn’t necessarily the best value either.

Your Child’s Happiness Matters

This is something I’ve learned from my own experience.

My boys really like their school.

That’s important.

You can compare curriculum, tuition, facilities and school hours all day, but if your child hates going to school, you’ve got a problem.

Fortunately, that’s not an issue we’ve had.

They’re happy there, and I’m happy with the education they’re receiving.

My Experience as a Canadian Expat Living in Colombia

I’ve now been living in Colombia for approximately six years.

I’m Canadian, my wife is Colombian, my two boys are Colombian, and I also have a stepdaughter.

Over those years, I’ve learned that moving to Colombia isn’t simply about finding a cheap apartment or comparing grocery prices.

If you’re bringing a family, you need to think about education, housing, transportation, healthcare, food, activities and all the other expenses that make up your actual lifestyle.

That’s one of the reasons I created my Colombia cost-of-living website. I wanted to document what things actually cost rather than simply repeating generic estimates from the internet.

Private school is one of those expenses.

Is Private School in Colombia Worth It?

For my family, absolutely.

I’m paying approximately 1 million COP per month per child, and I receive a roughly 10% discount because I prepay the school year.

In exchange, my boys have:

  • A beautiful school environment
  • A long school day Monday through Thursday
  • A shorter Friday
  • English instruction
  • Soccer and basketball
  • Other activities
  • Teachers we like
  • Plenty of opportunities to socialize
  • And, most importantly, they enjoy going to school

For us, that’s good value.

Your experience could be very different depending on the city, school and type of education you’re looking for.

My Private School Cost in Colombia: The Bottom Line

If you’re researching how much it costs to live in Colombia with a family, here’s my personal number:

Approximately 1,000,000 COP per month per child

I have two boys in private school, so the regular monthly cost would be approximately 2,000,000 COP for both children.

I choose to prepay the school year and receive approximately 10% off the annual cost.

The school day runs from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Thursday, and 8 a.m. to noon on Friday.

My boys receive regular academics along with English instruction, sports such as soccer and basketball, and other activities. The teachers are very nice, the school is beautiful, and my boys genuinely enjoy going there.

For our family, it’s an expense we’re happy to pay.

If you’re considering moving to Colombia and want help thinking through your own relocation, including your expected expenses and lifestyle, you can learn more about my Colombia Relocation Consultation.

There isn’t one universal “cost of private school in Colombia.” Your price will depend heavily on the city, school and type of education you choose.

My goal with this article is simply to show you what one Canadian expat family actually pays for private school in Ibagué, Colombia.

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