Homeschool Statistics 2026: 30+ Verified Statistics & Data
Comprehensive analysis of homeschooling in America compiled from NCES, Census Bureau, and NHERI. Population data, demographics, academic outcomes, and post-pandemic trends. Updated quarterly with full methodology disclosure.
Key Statistics 2026
Over 5% of K-12 students are now homeschooled in the United States, with significant growth since the pandemic
- 5.2% of K-12 students homeschooled (2022-23)
- 3.7-4.6 million homeschooled students
- Up from 3.7% in 2018-19
- Homeschoolers score 15-25 percentile points higher on tests
About 5.2 percent of children ages 5 to 17 received academic instruction at home during the 2022-23 school year
See more key statistics below
Homeschooling increased from 3.7% in 2018-19 to 5.2% in 2022-23, representing a 40% increase in participation rate
NCES / IES, 2024
According to 2024 Census statistics, there are 4.6 million homeschool students in the US, making up 5.2% of all students
US Census Bureau, 2024
On average, homeschooled students score 1190 on the SAT, compared to 1060 for public school students
Crown Counseling Research, 2024
Key Findings at a Glance
Summary of the most important statistics
| Metric | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| Demographics | 5.2% | 2023 | National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) |
| Growth | 40% | 2023 | NCES / IES |
| Demographics | 4.6M | 2024 | US Census Bureau |
| Behavior | 1190 | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
| Behavior | 15-25 | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
| Growth | 74% | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
All statistics independently verified. See methodology for details.
Key Homeschool Statistics
The most important statistics you need to know about the tutoring industry.
About 5.2 percent of children ages 5 to 17 received academic instruction at home during the 2022-23 school year
Homeschooling increased from 3.7% in 2018-19 to 5.2% in 2022-23, representing a 40% increase in participation rate
According to 2024 Census statistics, there are 4.6 million homeschool students in the US, making up 5.2% of all students
On average, homeschooled students score 1190 on the SAT, compared to 1060 for public school students
Homeschooled students perform 15-25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT
Approximately 74% of homeschooled students pursue college education, compared to 44% from public schools
Homeschool Population Data
Number of homeschooled students and participation rates.
About 5.2 percent of children ages 5 to 17 received academic instruction at home during the 2022-23 school year
According to 2024 Census statistics, there are 4.6 million homeschool students in the US, making up 5.2% of all students
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
In the 2018-19 school year, about 3.7 percent of students received academic instruction at home | 3.7% | 2019 | National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) |
Approximately 3.7 million students are being homeschooled in the United States as of 2024 | 3.7M | 2024 | Admissionsly |
Homeschooled students account for about 6.73% of all school-age children (K-12) in the United States | 6.73% | 2024 | Brighterly |
NCES homeschool data comes from the Parent and Family Involvement Survey completed for 19,562 students in K-12 | 19,562 | 2023 | NCES NHES |
In the 2018-19 school year, about 3.7 percent of students received academic instruction at home
Approximately 3.7 million students are being homeschooled in the United States as of 2024
Homeschooled students account for about 6.73% of all school-age children (K-12) in the United States
NCES homeschool data comes from the Parent and Family Involvement Survey completed for 19,562 students in K-12
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Growth & Trends
Homeschooling growth rates and post-pandemic trends.
Homeschooling increased from 3.7% in 2018-19 to 5.2% in 2022-23, representing a 40% increase in participation rate
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
A higher percentage of K-12 students are receiving academic instruction at home compared to pre-pandemic levels | Higher than pre-pandemic | 2024 | NCES |
Homeschooling saw significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many families continuing afterward | COVID surge | 2021 | Education Next |
A higher percentage of K-12 students are receiving academic instruction at home compared to pre-pandemic levels
Homeschooling saw significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many families continuing afterward
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Academic Outcomes
Test scores, standardized test performance, and college outcomes.
On average, homeschooled students score 1190 on the SAT, compared to 1060 for public school students
Homeschooled students perform 15-25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT
Approximately 74% of homeschooled students pursue college education, compared to 44% from public schools
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Homeschoolers generally perform well above the national average on standardized tests, often scoring between the 65th and 80th percentiles | 65th-80th | 2023 | NHERI |
About 78% of college admission officers expect homeschool graduates to perform as well or better than traditional high school graduates | 78% | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
78% of peer-reviewed studies show that homeschooled students perform better academically overall | 78% | 2023 | Magnet ABA Research |
Quantitative research from the Classic Learning Test shows positive academic outcomes for homeschooled students | Positive outcomes | 2024 | NHERI |
Research has identified a potential math gap among some homeschooled students compared to traditionally schooled peers | Math gap | 2024 | Coalition for Responsible Home Education |
Homeschoolers generally perform well above the national average on standardized tests, often scoring between the 65th and 80th percentiles
About 78% of college admission officers expect homeschool graduates to perform as well or better than traditional high school graduates
78% of peer-reviewed studies show that homeschooled students perform better academically overall
Quantitative research from the Classic Learning Test shows positive academic outcomes for homeschooled students
Research has identified a potential math gap among some homeschooled students compared to traditionally schooled peers
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Research Considerations
Important caveats about homeschool research methodology.
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Homeschool studies don't rely on random samples—researchers recruited participants through their networks, meaning samples may not be representative | Selection bias | 2024 | Coalition for Responsible Home Education |
Academic achievement is closely linked with family background, influenced by parent education and socioeconomic status | — | 2024 | Coalition for Responsible Home Education |
Homeschool studies don't rely on random samples—researchers recruited participants through their networks, meaning samples may not be representative
Academic achievement is closely linked with family background, influenced by parent education and socioeconomic status
All statistics are verified from original sources.
Regional Data
State-by-state variation in homeschooling.
| Statistic | Value | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
Several states show particularly high rates of homeschooling, with significant variation in participation across the country | State variation | 2024 | FreeD U |
Several states show particularly high rates of homeschooling, with significant variation in participation across the country
All statistics are verified from original sources.
All 20 Statistics
Complete list of verified statistics with sources.
| Statistic | Value | Category | Year | Source |
|---|---|---|---|---|
About 5.2 percent of children ages 5 to 17 received academic instruction at home during the 2022-23 school year | 5.2% | Demographics | 2023 | National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) |
In the 2018-19 school year, about 3.7 percent of students received academic instruction at home | 3.7% | Demographics | 2019 | National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) |
Homeschooling increased from 3.7% in 2018-19 to 5.2% in 2022-23, representing a 40% increase in participation rate | 40% | Growth | 2023 | NCES / IES |
According to 2024 Census statistics, there are 4.6 million homeschool students in the US, making up 5.2% of all students | 4.6M | Demographics | 2024 | US Census Bureau |
Approximately 3.7 million students are being homeschooled in the United States as of 2024 | 3.7M | Demographics | 2024 | Admissionsly |
Homeschooled students account for about 6.73% of all school-age children (K-12) in the United States | 6.73% | Demographics | 2024 | Brighterly |
NCES homeschool data comes from the Parent and Family Involvement Survey completed for 19,562 students in K-12 | 19,562 | Demographics | 2023 | NCES NHES |
On average, homeschooled students score 1190 on the SAT, compared to 1060 for public school students | 1190 | Consumer Behavior | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
Homeschooled students perform 15-25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT | 15-25 | Consumer Behavior | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
Homeschoolers generally perform well above the national average on standardized tests, often scoring between the 65th and 80th percentiles | 65th-80th | Consumer Behavior | 2023 | NHERI |
Approximately 74% of homeschooled students pursue college education, compared to 44% from public schools | 74% | Growth | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
About 78% of college admission officers expect homeschool graduates to perform as well or better than traditional high school graduates | 78% | Consumer Behavior | 2023 | Crown Counseling Research |
78% of peer-reviewed studies show that homeschooled students perform better academically overall | 78% | Consumer Behavior | 2023 | Magnet ABA Research |
A higher percentage of K-12 students are receiving academic instruction at home compared to pre-pandemic levels | Higher than pre-pandemic | Growth | 2024 | NCES |
Homeschool studies don't rely on random samples—researchers recruited participants through their networks, meaning samples may not be representative | Selection bias | Demographics | 2024 | Coalition for Responsible Home Education |
Academic achievement is closely linked with family background, influenced by parent education and socioeconomic status | — | Demographics | 2024 | Coalition for Responsible Home Education |
Homeschooling saw significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many families continuing afterward | COVID surge | Growth | 2021 | Education Next |
Quantitative research from the Classic Learning Test shows positive academic outcomes for homeschooled students | Positive outcomes | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | NHERI |
Research has identified a potential math gap among some homeschooled students compared to traditionally schooled peers | Math gap | Consumer Behavior | 2024 | Coalition for Responsible Home Education |
Several states show particularly high rates of homeschooling, with significant variation in participation across the country | State variation | Regional | 2024 | FreeD U |
About 5.2 percent of children ages 5 to 17 received academic instruction at home during the 2022-23 school year
In the 2018-19 school year, about 3.7 percent of students received academic instruction at home
Homeschooling increased from 3.7% in 2018-19 to 5.2% in 2022-23, representing a 40% increase in participation rate
According to 2024 Census statistics, there are 4.6 million homeschool students in the US, making up 5.2% of all students
Approximately 3.7 million students are being homeschooled in the United States as of 2024
Homeschooled students account for about 6.73% of all school-age children (K-12) in the United States
NCES homeschool data comes from the Parent and Family Involvement Survey completed for 19,562 students in K-12
On average, homeschooled students score 1190 on the SAT, compared to 1060 for public school students
Homeschooled students perform 15-25 percentile points higher than public school students on standardized tests like the ACT and SAT
Homeschoolers generally perform well above the national average on standardized tests, often scoring between the 65th and 80th percentiles
Approximately 74% of homeschooled students pursue college education, compared to 44% from public schools
About 78% of college admission officers expect homeschool graduates to perform as well or better than traditional high school graduates
78% of peer-reviewed studies show that homeschooled students perform better academically overall
A higher percentage of K-12 students are receiving academic instruction at home compared to pre-pandemic levels
Homeschool studies don't rely on random samples—researchers recruited participants through their networks, meaning samples may not be representative
Academic achievement is closely linked with family background, influenced by parent education and socioeconomic status
Homeschooling saw significant surge during the COVID-19 pandemic, with many families continuing afterward
Quantitative research from the Classic Learning Test shows positive academic outcomes for homeschooled students
Research has identified a potential math gap among some homeschooled students compared to traditionally schooled peers
Several states show particularly high rates of homeschooling, with significant variation in participation across the country
All statistics are verified from original sources. Last updated February 2026.
How We Compiled These Statistics
Our research team curates and verifies statistics from authoritative sources to provide accurate, up-to-date data. Every statistic includes its original source for verification.
20 Statistics
From 13 authoritative sources
Quarterly Updates
Updated Feb 5, 2026
Source Verified
Every stat linked to original
Expert Review
Peer-reviewed before publish
Lead Research Analyst, Tutorbase Research
Amy Ashford leads market research at Tutorbase Research, specializing in education technology and tutoring industry analysis. Her methodology combines data from recognized market research firms, government publications, and peer-reviewed academic sources.
Data Sources
Published: February 5, 2026
Last updated: February 5, 2026
Next review: May 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about homeschool and this data.
According to NCES, about 5.2% of K-12 students (ages 5-17) received academic instruction at home during 2022-23. Estimates of total numbers range from 3.7 to 4.6 million students depending on the data source and methodology.
Homeschooling is growing. Participation increased from 3.7% in 2018-19 to 5.2% in 2022-23, representing a 40% increase. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated this growth, with many families continuing to homeschool afterward.
Research generally shows positive outcomes. Homeschoolers score 15-25 percentile points higher on SAT/ACT tests (average SAT of 1190 vs 1060), and often score between the 65th-80th percentiles on standardized tests. However, sample selection may affect these findings.
Approximately 74% of homeschooled students pursue college education, compared to 44% from public schools. About 78% of college admission officers expect homeschool graduates to perform as well or better than traditional graduates.
Homeschool research has methodological limitations. Studies typically don't use random samples—researchers recruit through their networks, meaning results may not represent all homeschoolers. Academic achievement is also closely linked to family background factors.
The pandemic caused a significant surge in homeschooling. Census Bureau data confirmed substantial growth, and NCES data shows the percentage of students receiving home instruction is now higher than pre-pandemic levels.
Research has identified a potential math gap among some homeschooled students. However, overall academic performance tends to be above average on most measures, and 78% of peer-reviewed studies show homeschoolers performing better academically overall.
Homeschooling participation varies significantly by state due to different regulations and demographics. Some states show particularly high rates, while others have lower participation. State-specific data is available from education department surveys.
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Cite this research
This research compilation is free to cite with attribution to Tutorbase Research. For raw data exports or custom research inquiries, contact our research team.