Compare programs & platformsAges 6–177 min read
By Hannah Cole ·
Varsity Tutors vs Wyzant vs Group Classes: Cost per Hour
How Varsity Tutors and Wyzant price 1-on-1 tutoring, what fees and expiring hours add, and how to compare the real cost per hour with group classes.
Wyzant and Varsity Tutors charge for 1-on-1 tutoring in very different ways. Wyzant is a marketplace where you pay each tutor's listed hourly rate after every lesson, while Varsity Tutors sells monthly membership plans and prepaid hour packages that you price with a consultant. Group classes usually cost less per hour than either, because several families share the teacher's time.
To compare fairly, turn every option into a real cost per hour of teaching. For Wyzant, add the 9% service fee to the tutor's rate. For Varsity Tutors, divide the monthly or package price by the hours you will actually use, since unused monthly hours expire. For group classes, divide the class price by the number of live hours. Then weigh that number against how much individual attention your child needs.
How Wyzant prices tutoring: pay as you go
Wyzant works like a directory of independent tutors. Each tutor's hourly rate is shown on their profile, so you can see the price before you message anyone. Wyzant's own guide to how much tutoring costs describes the model as pay-as-you-go: you are charged only for the time you spend with a tutor, after the lesson ends.
Two extra costs sit on top of the tutor's rate:
- A service fee. Wyzant's help center says the service fee is 9% of the total lesson cost.
- Cancellations. Each tutor sets their own cancellation policy, and late cancellations can be charged plus the same fee.
Wyzant's payment policies also describe a Good Fit Guarantee: if the first hour with a tutor doesn't work out, you can ask for a refund of that hour within 30 days. There is no subscription or upfront package.
Who it suits: families who want to compare many tutors by price and subject, need help in short bursts, or want to stop and start without a plan.
How Varsity Tutors prices tutoring: memberships and packages
Varsity Tutors does not post a public hourly rate. Instead, its help center explains that Learning Membership plans carry a recurring monthly charge and add a set number of 1-on-1 tutoring hours to your account each month. Plan prices vary by subject and by the number of monthly hours, and an educational consultant helps you choose. Unused hours expire at the end of each billing cycle.
Membership also includes access to the company's live group classes, which are grouped by grade band (for example, grades K to 2, 3 to 5 and 6 to 8), plus self-study tools and assessments.
For test prep, Varsity Tutors also sells hour packages. Its SAT tutoring page lists 12, 24 and 36 hour plans, says the common plans earn a discount on the hourly rate, and notes that hours are good for one year.
Who it suits: families who want a matched tutor, a steady weekly schedule and extra classes and practice tools bundled into one bill.
A live class on this1: 1 Writing Tutoring for Ages 6-9: Essays and Creative WritingAges 6–9How live group classes price their time
Live online group classes usually charge per class, per course or per month, with several kids learning together. The teacher's time is shared, so the cost for each family is typically lower than a private hour with a similar teacher. You trade some individual attention for that lower price, and many kids enjoy the energy of peers.
Common formats include:
- Multi-week courses that meet on a set schedule and follow a planned sequence.
- Clubs that meet every week with the same group and bill on a recurring basis.
- One-time classes and workshops for trying a topic without a long commitment.
- Camps that run for a few days, often within one week during school breaks.
On marketplaces such as Undoschool, independent teachers set their own prices, so costs vary from class to class. Always check the number of sessions and the length of each one before you compare.
Side-by-side: what you are really paying for
Prices change and depend on the tutor, subject and plan, so this table compares how each option charges rather than quoting numbers. Check each site for current prices as of November 2026.
| Question | Wyzant | Varsity Tutors | Live group classes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pricing model | Tutor's listed hourly rate, billed after each lesson | Monthly membership with set hours, or prepaid hour packages | Per class, per course or recurring club fee |
| Who sets the price | Each tutor lists a rate | Quoted by plan, subject and hours | Usually the teacher or provider |
| Extra fees | 9% service fee per lesson | Ask what the plan includes | Check for materials or kit costs |
| Commitment | None; pay as you go | Recurring monthly plan; package hours last a year | Varies by format |
| Use it or lose it? | No prepaid hours | Unused monthly hours expire each cycle | Missed live sessions may not be refunded |
| Attention per hour | Full 1-on-1 | Full 1-on-1, plus group classes | Shared with a small group |
Wyzant: tutor rate × 1.09. Varsity Tutors: monthly price ÷ hours your child will really use that month. Group class: total price ÷ total live hours. Comparing these three numbers is fairer than comparing sticker prices.
When 1-on-1 is worth the extra cost, and when a group is enough
A lower hourly cost only helps if the format fits the goal. Before you pay for private hours, it helps to be clear on whether your child needs a tutor at all, or whether a class would do the job.
Pay for 1-on-1 when
- Your child has a specific gap, such as fractions or essay structure, that a class keeps moving past.
- A test or deadline is close and every minute needs to target weak spots.
- Your child is anxious about asking questions in front of others.
A group class is often enough when
- Your child is roughly on track and wants practice, enrichment or a head start.
- Motivation is the issue and peers make learning more fun.
- You want steady weekly contact at a lower cost per hour.
Many families mix both: a weekly group class for momentum, plus a few 1-on-1 sessions before a big test.
What to watch for before you pay
- Expiring hours: On a monthly plan, ask how many hours your child will realistically use. Unused hours are money spent.
- Cancellation rules: Read each tutor's or provider's cancellation policy before booking. Sick days happen.
- Renewals: Note when recurring plans renew and how to pause or cancel.
- Session length: A 45-minute session at a lower price may cost more per hour than a 60-minute one.
- Background checks: On marketplaces, ask what checks the platform requires and what you can see on a tutor's profile.
Frequently asked questions
Does Varsity Tutors show prices online?
Its membership pages don't list a standard hourly price. Plans vary by subject and monthly hours, and you get a quote after creating an account or talking with a consultant.
Is Wyzant cheaper than Varsity Tutors?
It depends on the tutor you pick and the plan you are quoted. Work out the true cost per hour for each, including Wyzant's 9% fee and any unused hours on a monthly plan, then compare.
Are group classes less effective than 1-on-1 tutoring?
They do different jobs. Small groups work well for practice, enrichment and motivation. 1-on-1 helps most when your child needs targeted help on a specific gap or deadline.
Can I try a tutor before committing?
Often, yes. Wyzant offers a first-hour refund under its Good Fit Guarantee. Other platforms offer trial sessions, so ask what happens if the first lesson isn't a fit.
Find a 1-on-1 tutor who fits your child
Browse live 1-on-1 tutoring with independent, vetted teachers, compare prices set by each teacher, and try a first session before you commit.
