How much it costs to: Attend SA’s most expensive school

Hilton College, the all-boys boarding school near Howick in KwaZulu-Natal, is widely known as one of the most expensive schools in South Africa. Here’s what a place at the 154-year-old school costs in 2026.

HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO ATTEND SA’S MOST EXPENSIVE SCHOOL

Hilton College fees for 2026 are R441 766 a year. That covers tuition, food and board, games, minor medical attention, use of the sanatorium, library and laundry. It also covers core curriculum-based activities, including sport (apart from a few exceptions). This is a boarding school only.

Once you are accepted into the college, you will need to pay a non-refundable entrance fee of R110 441.50. This equals one term’s fees and is a contribution to the school’s development programme.

Hilton has been named the most expensive school in the country. If you’re budgeting, confirm the exact figure with the school, as the numbers differ between sources.

A consolidated extras fee of R594.25 a term covers items such as some dry cleaning, laundry bags, minor duplicating costs, newspapers, sunscreen, certain school plays and socials. Boys who take up golf, rowing or canoeing pay an additional fee to cover transport and equipment upkeep, according to an older version of the fee schedule. That version also lists books and stationery, medicines, doctors’ fees, special entertainment and sundry travel as costs not included in the fees.

By using the school’s own figures, the first year comes to roughly R554 600. That’s R441,766 in fees, R110,441.50 for the entrance fee and about R2377 in extras. That excludes uniforms, books, medical costs and trips.

So, is there a payment plan in place to afford these school fees? Well, South African residents can pay annually or in 10 monthly instalments. Non-residents South African residents pay termly in advance. Families living outside South Africa also pay a refundable deposit of 1.5 times the termly fees, held in case of an emergency repatriation.

THE SWIFT INCREASE IN PRICE OF SCHOOL FEES

The cost has climbed sharply. Hilton was the only school over R200 000 for boarding and tuition when back in 2014. It has since more than doubled that figure. A 2020 listing put the fee at R321 890. This means a rise of roughly 37% in six years.

For most families, Hilton College is a serious long-term financial commitment. The average South African family is unable to afford these school fees.

South African schools are currently on holiday.