International School Fees in Taipei: 2026 Cost Guide for Expat Families

Last reviewed: October 2026 by Catherine from ISA. Fee ranges are indicative; always confirm with the school.

For families moving to Taiwan, international school fees in Taipei are usually the single largest item after housing. The good news is that Taipei's market is relatively transparent: most schools publish fee schedules every year, in New Taiwan dollars, and the main schools have been operating for decades. The less obvious part is the eligibility rule, which decides which schools you can apply to in the first place.

This guide gives indicative fee ranges for 2026-27, explains the passport rule and the extras, and looks at five schools with verified profiles on International School Advisor.

Where the schools are and why it matters

Most of Taipei's international schools are clustered in Shilin and Tianmu, in the north of the city, where many expatriate families also live. Taipei American School and Taipei European School are both in Shilin, and Taipei Adventist American School sits further up in the Yangmingshan hills. Morrison Academy's Taipei campus is in Linkou, to the west, and Dominican International School is in Zhongshan District, closer to the centre.

Taipei's metro is excellent, but younger children usually travel by school bus, and bus fees depend heavily on distance. Living in Tianmu keeps transport costs low for the Shilin schools; living in Xinyi or Da'an can mean a longer ride and a higher bus fee.

Curricula and how they shape the cost

• American curriculum with AP and IB: Taipei American School offers both AP and IB courses, and Dominican International School follows a modified American curriculum with Advanced Placement.
• European and British pathways: Taipei European School runs French, German and British sections in parallel, with the IB Diploma in the senior years.
• Christian American schools: Morrison Academy and Taipei Adventist American School offer American programmes in a faith-based setting, usually at a lower price point.
• Bilingual and experimental schools: for Taiwanese families and some dual nationals, private bilingual schools teach Mandarin and English under the local framework.

Five Taipei schools and what to ask about fees

Taipei American School

Founded in 1949, TAS is a large independent school in Shilin offering an American education with both AP and IB courses. It is usually the most expensive school in Taipei and has the longest waiting lists in some grades. Ask about the development fee and the refundable deposit, which are separate from tuition, and about how long places are held for families arriving mid-year.

Taipei European School

TES is unusual in running French, German and British curricula side by side on a shared campus in Shilin, with the IB Diploma at the end. Fees are close to TAS at the secondary level. For European families planning to return home, the national sections can save the cost of extra tutoring later, which is worth factoring into the comparison.

Morrison Academy Taipei

Morrison Academy Taipei, founded in 1961, offers an American curriculum from kindergarten to Grade 12 in a Christian environment, on a campus in Linkou. It is part of a wider Morrison system in Taiwan, which helps if you might move to Taichung or Kaohsiung. Fees are generally well below TAS and TES.

Dominican International School Taipei

DIS was established in 1957 and is a private Roman Catholic school teaching in English from Pre-K to Grade 12, with a modified American curriculum and AP. Most of its students are Asian and speak English as a second language. It is among the more affordable options in the city and is rated 4.8 by families on ISA.

Taipei Adventist American School

TAAS is a small school in the Yangmingshan area, set among trees and gardens and known locally as a school in the forest. It offers individualised American-style teaching in a family-sized setting. Families who value a small community and a calmer environment often find it costs considerably less than the large Shilin schools, though the commute from the city centre is longer.

International school fees in Taipei: ranges and extras

Indicative annual tuition for 2026-27, in New Taiwan dollars:

• Kindergarten and early years: roughly TWD 350,000 to 800,000.
• Elementary: roughly TWD 400,000 to 950,000.
• Middle and high school: roughly TWD 450,000 to 1,100,000.

Extras to plan for:

• Application fee: charged per application and not refundable.
• Development or capital fee: a one-off or annual charge at several larger schools.
• Refundable deposit: some schools hold a deposit until the student leaves.
• School bus: priced by distance; a major cost if you live outside Shilin and Tianmu.
• Lunch, uniform, devices, trips and exam fees: AP and IB exams are billed separately in the final years.

The hard rule that shapes the market: schools for foreign nationals in Taiwan generally admit only students who hold a foreign passport. Taiwanese children without a second nationality cannot normally enrol at TAS or TES, which is why demand from local families goes to bilingual and experimental schools instead.

Practical advice for Taipei families

Check what your package covers. Many employer packages pay tuition but not the development fee, the deposit or the bus. Ask HR for a written list and compare it with each school's full fee schedule.

Apply early for the big schools. TAS and TES can have waiting lists in popular grades, and application fees are charged each time. Applying to one large school and one smaller school at the same time is a sensible way to secure a place without paying for five applications.

Choose housing after the school. In Taipei the difference between living in Tianmu and living across the city is mostly time, but it also changes the bus fee and the after-school activities your child can realistically attend.

Think about the exchange rate if you are paid abroad. Fees are set in New Taiwan dollars and usually paid in two or more instalments. If your salary is in US dollars or euros, a move of a few percent in the exchange rate between instalments changes what you actually pay, so it helps to keep a buffer of around 5 percent in your school budget.

Compare schools on our Taipei ranking

Use our ranking of the best schools in Taipei to compare reviews and profile details, and to contact schools directly for their current fee schedules.

More guides to schools in Taipei

• How to choose an international school in Taipei
• Bilingual schools in Taipei
• International school admissions in Taipei
• Best international schools in Taipei
• Ranking of the best schools in Taipei

Frequently asked questions

How much does an international school in Taipei cost per year?

Tuition at Taipei's international schools runs roughly from TWD 400,000 to TWD 1,100,000 a year. Smaller faith-based schools sit at the lower end, while Taipei American School and Taipei European School are at the top. Add a one-off registration or development fee, the school bus and lunch when you build your budget.

Can Taiwanese children attend international schools in Taipei?

Schools for foreign nationals in Taiwan, such as Taipei American School and Taipei European School, generally admit only students who hold a foreign passport. Taiwanese students without another nationality usually attend private bilingual or experimental schools instead. Check the admission rules before you apply, because the passport requirement is enforced at enrolment.

Do Taipei international schools charge a capital or development fee?

Yes, several of the larger schools charge a one-off or annual development fee in addition to tuition, and some also ask for a refundable deposit. These charges can be substantial, so ask whether your employer covers them and whether any part is refunded if you leave Taiwan before the end of the year.