Is private schooling worth it? A study on the relationship between cost, quality, and student achievement in the private schools

PurposeThis study aimed to explore the relationships between school cost, school quality, and students' achievement in private schools in the UAE. Moreover, it also aimed to determine the extent to which socio-economic factors influence student outcomes.Design/methodology/approachA quantitative survey research design was employed by distributing a survey to students' parents in private schools (n = 400) who were selected randomly. The data were analyzed using SPSS software. Therefore, descriptive statistics, correlation analysis, linear regression, and multiple regression analysis were used to provide a comprehensive understanding of the relationships between the variables.FindingsA significant positive association was found between school costs and school quality. Furthermore, parents reported that their children's outcomes were significantly associated with the costs that they paid to schools. Additionally, school quality had a significant impact on students' achievement and explained approximately 38% of the variation in students' achievement. The results also demonstrated a significant association between school cost, parents' income, and students' outcomes.Originality/valueThis study explores the relationships between school cost, school quality, and students' achievements. Additionally, it examines the influence of socioeconomic factors on the relationships between the study variables. The context of this study is the United Arab Emirates (UAE).