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The primary fee range in Cairo
Cairo's primary market spans a remarkably wide range. The premium American and British schools, such as Cairo American College (CAC), the American International School Egypt (AISE), the British International School Cairo (BISC), Modern English School (MES) and El Alsson, sit at USD 18,000 to USD 26,000 a year, with primary toward the lower end. A large upper-mid tier of Cambridge and IB schools runs USD 9,000 to USD 18,000, and Egyptian private schools with English streams start around USD 3,000. The defining feature of the market is currency: most premium schools now bill in US dollars or quasi-dollars to insulate against Egyptian pound depreciation. For the full whole-school context see our Cairo international school fees guide.
2026 primary fee table by tier
The bands below are tied to our Cairo international school fees analysis. They show each school's overall annual tuition band; at primary level fees sit toward the lower end, with secondary higher. Treat the figures as bands. exact fees vary by school and year group.
| Tier | Annual tuition (USD) | Indicative EGP | Example schools (illustrative) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Premium international | USD 18,000 - 26,000 | EGP 900,000 - 1.3M | Cairo American College, American International School Egypt, British International School Cairo, Modern English School, El Alsson |
| Upper-mid international | USD 9,000 - 18,000 | EGP 450,000 - 900,000 | Various Cambridge and IB schools |
| Value | USD 3,000 - 9,000 | EGP 150,000 - 450,000 | Egyptian privates with English programmes |
Named schools are illustrative of each tier and do not imply a published primary fee. Indicative EGP figures move with the exchange rate. Always confirm current figures with the school.
Enrolment, lunch, bus and other primary costs
Total cost-of-place adds roughly 10 to 15 per cent to headline primary tuition in Cairo. The bands below are 2026 figures from our Cairo fees analysis.
| Cost item | Typical band (USD) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Registration and enrolment | USD 800 - 2,500 | One-time on joining |
| School bus | USD 1,500 - 3,000 | Per year. Cairo distances and traffic make this near-essential |
| Uniform | USD 200 - 450 | Per year |
| Device or iPad programme | USD 700 - 1,400 | Where a one-to-one scheme starts in upper primary |
| Lunch where offered | USD 500 - 1,200 | Per year |
Most Cairo international schools offer a sibling discount of 5 to 10 per cent. Ask whether your fees are quoted and locked in US dollars or re-priced periodically, as that single point can outweigh any discount over a multi-year placement.
What drives the cost
Three things move Cairo primary fees. First, the curriculum and accreditation gap between the premium American and British schools and the broad field of Egyptian privates with English streams, which is the widest of any tier ladder in this guide. Second, the billing currency. The Egyptian pound has weakened sharply against the dollar since late 2022, so schools that previously charged in pounds have shifted to USD or re-price periodically, and most expat employers now structure education allowances in dollars specifically. Third, fee inflation: in USD terms Cairo fees rose 5 to 7 per cent across 2025 and 2026, but in pound terms the rise was far steeper, so EGP-paid families felt a much sharper squeeze.
Hidden costs beyond tuition
Beyond tuition, the largest extras at primary are the one-time registration, the near-essential school bus given Cairo traffic, the upper-primary device programme and lunch where offered. The real hidden cost in Cairo, though, is currency rather than a line item. For USD-paid families on USD-quoted billing, increases are manageable and predictable. for EGP-paid families on pound billing, depreciation can erode the value of a salary faster than the headline fee rise suggests. Confirm in writing which currency your school bills in and whether it re-prices mid-year before you commit.
Compare Cairo with other cities
Primary tuition is only the entry point. Before you commit, model the full multi-year cost and compare Cairo against the other cities on your shortlist with our international school fees comparison tool. You can also size up the wider relocation budget with the relocation cost calculator or narrow your options with the school finder quiz.
Compare Cairo primary fees side by side
See how Cairo stacks up against every other city for primary, with all-in costs not just headline tuition.
Open the fees comparison toolCairo primary fees: FAQ
Banded annual primary tuition runs from roughly USD 3,000 at Egyptian privates with English programmes to USD 26,000 at the premium American and British schools, with most expat families paying USD 9,000 to USD 18,000 a year. Figures are 2026 bands; confirm exact fees with each school.
Because the Egyptian pound has depreciated sharply against the dollar since late 2022, most premium international schools shifted to USD or quasi-USD billing to protect margins on their largely imported teaching staff. Many expat employers now structure education allowances in dollars to match.
Yes. At most Cairo international schools primary tuition sits at the lower end of the school’s band, with secondary and the IGCSE and IB exam years rising into the upper end. Exam entry fees also apply only later, not at primary.
Beyond tuition expect registration (USD 800 to 2,500 one-time), the school bus (USD 1,500 to 3,000, near-essential in Cairo traffic), uniform (USD 200 to 450), an upper-primary device programme (USD 700 to 1,400) and lunch where offered. Extras add roughly 10 to 15 per cent on top of tuition.