Riyadh has become one of the fastest-growing relocation destinations in the Gulf, driven by Vision 2030, the regional headquarters programme and rapid expansion in technology, sports and entertainment. International school fees in Riyadh remain reasonable compared with London, New York or Dubai, but the all-in cost is rising as new premium campuses open. This 2026 guide breaks down what expat families should expect to budget for an international school in Riyadh, from tuition through capital fees and tax implications.
Tuition bands in Riyadh 2026
International schools in Riyadh fall into three broad tiers. Boundaries vary slightly by year group and curriculum.
Tier 1 — Premium IB and British schools. SAR 65,000 to SAR 110,000 (USD 17,500 to USD 29,500) per year for upper secondary. Schools include British International School Riyadh, Multinational School Riyadh, Kingdom Schools and SEK International School Riyadh.
Tier 2 — Mid-range British and American schools. SAR 35,000 to SAR 60,000 (USD 9,500 to USD 16,000) per year. Often well-established campuses with strong outcomes but fewer optional extras.
Tier 3 — National-curriculum-with-English schools. SAR 18,000 to SAR 35,000 (USD 4,800 to USD 9,500) per year. Indian, Pakistani, Filipino and Egyptian curriculum schools that deliver in English with the home-country credential.
Featured Riyadh schools — fee snapshots
SEK International School Riyadh
An IB World School running PYP, MYP and DP. Tier 1 fees with strong support for Spanish-speaking families relocating to Saudi Arabia.
View SEK International School Riyadh profile
One World International School (Riyadh)
A growing campus with a Cambridge-aligned curriculum, popular with mid-tier expat budgets.
View One World International School profile
Reigate Grammar School Riyadh
Sister school of the historic Reigate Grammar in the UK, delivering English National Curriculum to IGCSE and A Level. Tier 1 fees, with a strong UK university pipeline.
View Reigate Grammar School Riyadh profile
Modern Global International Schools
A bilingual Arabic-English campus offering primary and secondary with mid-tier fees and structured Arabic provision for non-native speakers.
View Modern Global International Schools profile
Beyond tuition — the levies that surprise families
One-off enrolment and registration fees range from SAR 1,500 to SAR 7,500 per child. Capital or development fees, charged annually or as a one-off at admission, range from SAR 5,000 to SAR 20,000. Refundable deposits of one term's tuition are common at premium schools. Examination fees for IGCSE and IB Diploma add SAR 4,000 to SAR 10,000 spread across the final two years. School transport (mandatory in Riyadh due to distances) costs SAR 5,500 to SAR 9,500 per year. Uniforms, lunches and after-school activities add a further SAR 4,000 to SAR 8,000 per year.
Tax and contract tips for expat families
Saudi Arabia does not levy personal income tax on expat employees, which simplifies the tuition calculation. However, the way the employer covers school fees matters. The clearest approach is direct billing — the company pays the school each term and tuition is excluded from cash compensation. Cash education allowances are also common but require careful tracking and may be exposed to FX shifts when the contract is denominated in USD. Confirm whether the allowance covers capital fees, transport and exam fees — many do not.
VAT in Saudi Arabia is 15 percent. Most education tuition is zero-rated, but ancillary services (transport, uniforms, lunches) are typically VAT-inclusive at 15 percent.
Realistic all-in 2026 budget per child
A child in Year 9 at a Tier 1 British or IB school in Riyadh in 2026 will cost SAR 95,000 to SAR 130,000 per year all-in (around USD 25,000 to USD 35,000). For Tier 2 schools, expect SAR 50,000 to SAR 75,000 (around USD 13,500 to USD 20,000). For Tier 3 schools, the all-in is SAR 25,000 to SAR 45,000. For two children at the same Tier 1 school, sibling discounts of 5 to 10 percent are common but not universal — confirm in writing.
Where to live for school access
Diplomatic Quarter (DQ), Hittin and Al Yasmin host the largest expat clusters and put families within 25 minutes of most premium campuses. Western Riyadh, including King Abdullah Financial District (KAFD) and Al Sahafa, offers shorter commutes for families working in the financial sector. School transport is widely available; commute times of 35 to 50 minutes are realistic in peak traffic.
Compare Riyadh schools and curricula
For a curated overview of fees, curricula and campuses: International School Advisor.
FAQ
Are international school fees in Riyadh tax-deductible?
Saudi Arabia does not have personal income tax for individuals, so deductibility is not an issue. The relevant question for expats is how the employer structures the education benefit — direct billing or tax-free allowance.
What hidden costs should I budget for?
Capital fees (SAR 5,000 to SAR 20,000), enrolment fees, refundable deposits (one term of tuition), school bus (SAR 5,500 to SAR 9,500), uniforms (SAR 1,500) and IGCSE / IB exam fees.
Do international schools in Riyadh offer scholarships?
Several Tier 1 schools offer academic and all-rounder scholarships at Year 7 and Year 12 entry, typically covering 10 to 50 percent of tuition. Apply 9 to 12 months ahead of entry.