Hey there, Indian parents.
When it comes to our kids’ education, we all want the best, right?
Welcome to the world of India’s most elite schools. Here education isn’t just about textbooks, but legacy, luxury, and global exposure. In this blog, we explore the 15 most expensive schools in India and ask the question every Indian parent wants to know: Are they truly worth the price tag?
Price Comparison Between The Most Expensive Schools in India
| School Name | Location | Annual Fee (INR) |
|---|---|---|
| The Doon School | Dehradun | ₹11,20,000 |
| The Scindia School | Gwalior | ₹12,50,000 |
| The Mayo College | Ajmer | ₹6,50,000 |
| Welham Boys School | Dehradun | ₹5,70,000 |
| Woodstock School | Mussoorie | ₹16,00,000 |
| Birla International School | Pilani | ₹2,90,000 |
| Good Shepherd International School | Ooty | ₹6,10,000 |
| Ecole Mondiale World School | Mumbai | ₹300000 |
| Stonehill International School | Bangalore | ₹500000 |
| Bishop Cotton School | Shimla | ₹6,50000 |
Let’s find out the most expensive schools in India for children’s education and where they are located.
Elite Schools with Notable Alumni
| School Name | Notable Alumni |
|---|---|
| The Doon School | Vikram Seth (Author), Harshvardhan (Actor) |
| The Scindia School | Jyotiraditya Scindia (Politician) |
| The Mayo College | Bhanwar Lal (Politician), Arvind Singh (Businessman) |
| Welham Boys School | Rahul Dravid (Cricketer) |
| Woodstock School | Jonny Lee Miller (Actor) |
| Birla International School | Sandeep Singh (Hockey Player) |
| Good Shepherd International School | Anirudh Ravichander (Musician) |
| Ecole Mondiale World School | Arvind Kejriwal (Politician) |
| Stonehill International School | Krishnamurthy (Artist) |
| Bishop Cotton School | Ranvijay Singh (Actor) |
Top 15 Most Expensive Schools In India
1. The Doon School, Dehradun
The Doon School in Dehradun is one of the most expensive and best institutions in India. Publications like The New York Times, BBC, and Times of India have framed it as one of the best schools in India.
Also Read: Expensive Schools in Dehradun
This school provides education of the greatest calibre. The school’s alumni list is enough to encourage you to send your child to this school! Amitav Ghosh, Abhinav Bindra, Ali Fazal, Anish Kapoor, Karan Thapar, and Chandrachur Singh are some of the notable alumni of this school.
Annual fees: Cost around INR 10 lakhs – INR 11 lakhs
Semester expenses: Around INR 25,000
| The Doon School, Dehradun | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹10 – ₹11 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-135-2526400 |
| Address | Mall Road, Krishna Nagar, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 |
| Website | Visit website |
Also read: Best education boards in India
2. The Scindia School, Gwalior
The Scindia School in Gwalior is a CBSE-affiliated school in India and is considered one of the most premium schools in India for your child’s education.
It is also called the Sardar School. The school has one of the best features in the entire city because it is perched atop the Gwalior fort.
The examinations are administered between January and February every year. Salman Khan, Mukesh Ambani, Anurag Kashyap, Arbaaz Khan, Nitin Mukesh, and Ameen Sayani are some of the notable alumni of this school.
Annual fees: Cost around INR 12 lakhs – INR 13 lakhs
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹12 – ₹13 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-751-2480750 |
| Address | Fort, Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh 474008 |
| Website | Visit website |
Also Read: Best Schools in Gwalior
3. The Mayo College, Ajmer
The Mayo College in Ajmer is an all-boys college in Rajasthan, popular among Indians and NRIs. It was established to provide modern education to Indian nobility.
It is one of the oldest schools and is known for its reverence for Indian culture. The curriculum at Mayo College incorporates technological and technical proficiency, fine arts, theatre, music, sports, and academic excellence. Indra Sinha, Vivek Oberoi, The Sultan of Oman, and Tinnu Anand are some of the alumni of the school.
Annual fees: Cost around INR 6.5 lakhs – INR 7 lakhs for Indians and 13 lakhs for NRIs
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹6.5 – ₹7 lakhs (Indians), ₹13 lakhs (NRIs) |
| Phone | +91-145-2661286 |
| Address | Srinagar Road, Ajmer, Rajasthan 305008 |
| Website | Visit website |
Also Read: Expensive Schools in Ajmer
4. Welham Boys School, Dehradun
Welham Boys School is one of the most expensive and prestigious colleges in Dehradun, Uttarakhand, India. It is the educational center of the nation situated on 30 acres of land and is affiliated with the CBSE board.
Rajiv Gandhi, Sanjay Gandhi, Navin Patnayak, Zayed Khan, Mansoor Ali Khan Pataudi, and Captain Amrinder Singh are some of the notable alumni of the school.
Annual fees: Cost around INR 5.7 lakhs – INR 6 lakhs.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹5.7 – ₹6 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-135-2658491 |
| Address | 5, Circular Rd, Dalanwala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 |
| Website | Visit website |
5. Woodstock School, Mussoorie
Woodstock School in Mussoorie is a reputed co-ed residential educational School that is one of the best and most expensive schools in India.
It is the first institution in India to get a formal reputation as an international board World School with a middle-year program.
There is diploma program authorization as well. Stephen Alter, Tom Alter, James Taylor, Philips Devol, and Jeet Singh are some of the notable alumni of this school.
The tuition fees of this school range from 16 lakhs for classes 6 to 8 and 17.7 lakhs for classes 10 and 12.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹16 – ₹17.7 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-135-2639000 |
| Address | Landour, Mussoorie, Uttarakhand 248179 |
| Website | Visit website |
6. Birla International School, Pilani
Birla International School in Pilani is also known as the Vidya Niketan School. There are three sections of this school: the middle section, the senior section, and the junior section.
Established in 1944, this is one of the most costliest schools in India for your child’s education. Vinod Rai, General VK Singh, and Vivek Chand Sehgal are some of the notable alumni of this school.
Annual tuition fees: Cost from INR 2.9 lakhs for classes 3 to 10 and 3.10 lakhs for classes 10 and 12.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹2.9 – ₹3.1 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-1596-244130 |
| Address | Near Pilani, Jhunjhunu District, Rajasthan 333031 |
| Website | Visit website |
7. Good Shepherd International School, Ooty
Good Shepherd International School in Ooty is a full-time residential School established in 1977 in Nilgiris, Tamil Nadu, India.
It is a reputed school for its educational practices and has a top rank in the education world in India school ranking.
Malvika Vashishtha, Krishna Kishore, Mako Ravindran, and Sumesg Lekhi are notable alumni of this school.
The tuition fees of this school range from INR 6.10 lakhs to INR 15 lakhs. If you are looking for one of the best schools in India for your child’s admission, this can be a great option if you live in Tamil Nadu.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹6.1 – ₹15 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-423-2550371 |
| Address | M. Palada Post, Ooty, Tamil Nadu 643004 |
| Website | Visit website |
8. Ecole Mondiale World School, Mumbai
Ecole Mondiale World School, Mumbai is a prestigious school located in Mumbai. It is considered one of the most expensive schools in India and Mumbai.
The school offers an IB curriculum board, an excellent teacher and student ratio of 6:1, and has had over 2800 university offers for its students.
It was established in 2004 and is among the top 5 IB World Schools in India.
Annual tuition fees: The annual fees for Ecole Mondiale World School is INR 6 to 7 lakhs per annum for KG to 1st-grade students. For 1 to 10th grade, it is INR 9 to 10 lakhs while the 11th and 12th grades is INR 10 to 11 lakhs.
The one-time admission fee is INR 3,00,000.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹6 – ₹11 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-22-61306130 |
| Address | Gulmohar Cross Road 9, Juhu, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400049 |
| Website | Visit website |
Also read: Best Schools in Mumbai
9. Stonehill International School, Bangalore
Stonehill International School is an international IB school located in Bangalore and was founded in 2008. The school is truly global and has faculty members hailing from 35 countries. It is internationally accredited and recognized.
It ranks in top 10 expensive schools in India because of its infrastructure, state-of-the-art building, and adoption of the IB curriculum.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹4 – ₹12 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-80-4341-8300 |
| Address | Jala Hobli, Bengaluru North, Karnataka 562157 |
| Website | Visit website |
10. Bishop Cotton School, Shimla
Bishop Cotton School is located in Shimla. It is one of the oldest boys’ boarding schools in India and Asia. The school conducts entrance exams across India as an admission criterion and is listed among the top expensive schools because of its facilities and academic excellence.
Annual Tuition Fees: The annual fee for 1st and 3rd-grade students is INR 6.2 lakhs and for students in 3rd to 12th grade, the annual fee is INR 6.5 lakhs.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹6.2 – ₹6.5 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-177-2620880 |
| Address | Shimla Bypass, Near Khalini, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh 171002 |
| Website | Visit website |
11. Welham Girls’ School, Dehradun
The Welham Girls School was established by Ms. H.S. Oliphant in 1957 in Dehradun. The school has classes from 6 to 12 and is affiliated to the CISCE board. It is a day cum residential institution.
Some notable alumni include politician Priyanka Gandhi Vadra, Meira Kumar first lady speaker of the Lok Sabha, actress Kareena Kapoor Khan, etc.
Annual Fees: Rs. 8,50,000
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹8.5 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-135-2654751 |
| Address | Municipal Rd, Dalanwala, Dehradun, Uttarakhand 248001 |
| Website | Visit website |
12. The Lawrence School, Sanawar
The Lawrence School is a co-ed boarding school located in Sanawar, (Solan) Himachal Pradesh. The school was established in 1847 and is affiliated to the CBSE board. Ashwajeet Singh, Ajai Thandi, Co-founders of Sleepy Owl Coffee, Captain Abhilasha Barak, the first woman officer to join the Army Aviation Corps as a Combat Aviator, Vipin Sondhi, MD & CEO of Ashok Leyland etc. are some of the notable alumni of this school.
Annual Fees: Rs. 13,00,000
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹13 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-1792-261208 |
| Address | Sanawar, Kasauli, Solan District, Himachal Pradesh 173202 |
| Website | Visit website |
13. Shri Ram School, Delhi & Gurugram
Founded in 1988 by Mrs. Manju Bharat Ram, The Shri Ram School has 4 campuses, one in Vasant Vihar, and the other three in Gurgaon at Moulsari, Aravali, and Bhondsi respectively.
It is affiliated with the CISCE and IB boards. Alumni include some popular names like actor Sonam Kapoor, Rhea Kapoor, actor-director Karan Johar, Anjali Tendulkar, etc
Annual Fees: Rs. 4,00,000
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹4 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-124-4784300 (Gurugram campus) |
| Address | DLF Phase III, Gurugram, Haryana 122002 |
| Website | Visit website |
14. Mahindra International School, Pune
Established in 1998, this school was originally named Mercedes Benz International School. It is located in Hinjewadi, Pune, and is a co-ed institution affiliated with the IB board. It is a popular school and boasts of a low student-teacher ratio. It is a day cum residential school.
Annual Fees: Rs. 17,00,000
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹17 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-20-42954400 |
| Address | MIDC Phase 1, Rajeev Gandhi Infotech Park, Hinjawadi, Pune, Maharashtra 411057 |
| Website | Visit website |
15. The Cathedral & John Connon School, Mumbai
One of the oldest institutions, this school was established in 1860 by the Anglo-Scottish Education Society in Mumbai.
It is a co-ed day school offering national (ICSE, ISC) as well as international (IGCSE, IBDP) curriculum.
Actors Kiara Advani, Madira Bedi, Rahul Bose, and Homi J. Bhabha are some of the distinguished alumni of this school.
Annual Fees: Rs. 8,70,000
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Annual Fees | ₹8.7 lakhs |
| Phone | +91-22-2200-1282 |
| Address | 6, Purshottamdas Thakurdas Marg, Fort, Mumbai, Maharashtra 400001 |
| Website | Visit website |
They charge an annual fees from INR 7 lakhs to INR 15 lakhs and is considered one of the premium schools in India.
These schools are extremely competitive and in demand with Indians as well as NRIs. They hold separate admission tests, and interview rounds as well as have a donation and referral system to select the best and most meritorious students.
If you want to give your child the best opportunities then connect with us to plan your child’s education with ease!
Also Read: Best Government Schools in India
Costliest Schools and Their Unique Features
| School Name | Unique Feature |
|---|---|
| The Doon School | Renowned for academic excellence and extracurricular activities |
| The Scindia School | Focuses on leadership training and sports |
| The Mayo College | Offers a well rounded curriculum |
| Welham Boys School | Famous for its boarding facilities and campus |
| Woodstock School | International curriculum and scenic hill station location |
| Birla International School | Affordable school with a strong focus on technology |
| Good Shepherd International School | Strong emphasis on holistic development |
| Ecole Mondiale World School | Focuses on an international education system |
| Stonehill International School | Modern facilities with a focus on technology and sports |
| Bishop Cotton School | Combines traditional schooling with modern amenities |
FAQs
Why are some schools in India so expensive?
Premium schools in India charge high fees due to world class infrastructure, international faculty, global curriculum like IB or IGCSE, and exceptional extracurricular programs.
Are elite schools in India really worth the cost?
It depends on your child’s goals. Expensive schools often provide a holistic education, better college placements (including abroad), and soft-skill development. However, academic success is also possible in more affordable schools.
Do these premium schools offer international curriculum?
Yes, most top-tier expensive schools offer international curricula like IB (International Baccalaureate), IGCSE, or Cambridge in addition to Indian boards like CBSE or ICSE.
Can middle class families afford these schools?
Some expensive schools offer scholarships or need based financial aid. However, without such support, the high fees may not be feasible for most middle-class
