Plan the whole school year
How much does homeschool curriculum cost?
A monthly subscription, one subject kit and a full-grade package are different purchases. Compare the total for the months and children you need, then add books, supplies and any subjects sold separately.
Curriculum budget calculator
Enter your own quotes in US dollars. The starting example uses $40 a month for one child over nine months; it is an illustration, not a publisher offer.
Example total: $360.00 for nine months.
For a family subscription, enter the whole family price and set children to 1. Include tax, shipping and optional fees in your own figures. Your entries stay in this browser page.
Published prices: four different buying models
Checked September 22, 2026. These are selected examples, not a ranking. Follow the publisher sources in each review for current prices and conditions.
| Program | Purchase type | Published price |
|---|---|---|
| Time4Learning | monthly subscription per child | $39.95/month per student at the published base rate; discounts and add-ons vary |
| Power Homeschool | monthly curriculum subscription per student | $99/month, or $79/month with the Roger Billings Scholarship; up to 6 courses at a time |
| BJU Press | per-subject or full-grade kit | Online full-grade kits: $979 without printed books or $1,149 with books; other formats vary |
| Acellus Academy | school tuition per student | Basic: $249/month, or $79/month with the Roger Billings Scholarship; higher tiers and other fees apply |
What to include before comparing prices
- Coverage: list every subject you need. A math-only subscription cannot be priced as a replacement for all subjects.
- Duration: multiply monthly fees by the months you will actually keep access. Check whether stopping a subscription removes lessons or records you need.
- Materials: count teacher guides, consumable workbooks, readers, manipulatives and lab supplies. Check what you can reuse with siblings.
- Help: compare parent-taught curriculum with school tuition separately. A video teacher on screen does not necessarily mean live teacher support, enrollment or a diploma.
- Conditions: scholarship rates, sibling discounts and limited promotions may have requirements. Compare the rate you qualify for.
Can you homeschool with free curriculum?
Free materials can reduce curriculum spending. You still need to check subject coverage and plan instruction, supplies and records. A free math resource is useful alongside another program, but does not automatically provide a complete school plan.
Explore free curriculum options and build a subject-by-subject plan.
How to avoid an expensive mismatch
Before committing to a full-year package, try a sample lesson with your child. Record how long preparation, teaching and checking answers take. Compare two realistic choices in the curriculum comparison tool, including the amount of adult help each needs. The cheapest package is useful only if your family can teach it consistently.
Browse guides by subject and family need · Find a fit for your priorities