Public School vs. Private School in Utah: What’s the Difference?

What’s the difference between private school and public school in Utah?

For families with access to both types of schools, understanding how they compare is an important part of choosing the right school for their child.

At a high level, the major difference between these schools comes from how they’re funded and governed:

• Public schools, including traditional district and charter schools, are funded primarily through public dollars and operate within Utah’s public education system. These programs must follow state requirements, including standards for what students should know and be able to do at each grade level.
• Private schools such as Rowland Hall operate independently, are funded primarily through tuition and private support, and are governed by boards of trustees. Independence allows each school to create a vision-driven educational program around what they believe best serves students.

Greater independence gives private schools more flexibility when it comes to decisions about programming, staffing, and how resources are invested. Because private schools aren’t bound by the same state requirements as public schools, they can shape those decisions around their students and educational vision. That independence is part of what families are investing in when they choose private education.

But for families with a strong public education option, that financial investment raises important questions:

• Are private schools actually better than public schools?
• Is private school worth the cost?

In this guide, we compare Rowland Hall, a Salt Lake City–based private independent school serving students in grades 3PreK–12, with Utah public schools, focusing on key questions families ask when choosing a school.

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Do students get more individual attention at private schools?

Generally, yes. One indicator of the amount of individual attention students may receive is the student-to-teacher ratio. According to the National Center for Education Statistics, Utah public schools had a 21.6 to 1 student-to-teacher ratio as of the most recent reporting period (2024–2025). At Rowland Hall, that ratio is 9 to 1.

A lower student-to-teacher ratio gives teachers more opportunity to work individually with students, providing support or greater challenge as needed.

Are private school class sizes smaller than public school class sizes?

National data show that private schools tend to have smaller classes than public schools. A directly comparable statewide average isn’t available for Utah public schools; the Utah State Board of Education instead reports class sizes by grade and course. At Rowland Hall, the average class size across the school is 16 students, though class sizes vary by grade and course. In the Upper School, for example, the average is 14 students.

Families often prioritize smaller classes to help ensure their child will have more interaction with teachers and peers and can more easily participate in classroom discussions and activities.

Are private schools more academically rigorous than public schools?

Academic rigor varies widely at both private and public schools, and there isn’t a single measure that determines whether one school is more rigorous than another. Families should consider both what a school means by rigor and what kind of academic challenge will best serve their child.

At Rowland Hall, we believe academic rigor means learning deeply and thinking broadly. Here, students of all ages build understanding and create work with depth and purpose. We describe our approach to turning classroom learning into real-world impact as Learn. Think. Do.: students build a strong foundation of knowledge, engage deeply with questions and ideas, and put what they know to work.

Are private schools better for gifted or high-achieving students?

Private schools can be a strong option for gifted or high-achieving students, particularly when they have the flexibility to provide the right level of challenge in each subject. At Rowland Hall, teachers differentiate instruction based on what each student is ready for, allowing students to move into greater depth and complexity in areas of strength while receiving support where needed. Regular assessment helps teachers adjust that challenge as students grow. Learn more about comparing Rowland Hall with public schools’ gifted and talented programs.

Do private schools offer more AP, IB, honors, or advanced courses?

The number and type of advanced courses students can take depend more on the individual school than whether it is public or private. At Rowland Hall, high school students can choose from over 30 advanced, Advanced Placement (AP), and Advanced Research courses. Ninety percent of AP exams taken by Rowland Hall students earn a passing score, compared with 80% statewide and 71% nationally (as of 2025, the most recent reporting period).

Through our one-of-a-kind Advanced Research program, students conduct original research in fields ranging from the sciences to the humanities, giving them opportunities to pursue their interests at a level rarely available in high school. AR students regularly present at professional conferences, and since 2022, 14 students have had research published in scientific journals.

How do SAT and ACT scores compare between private and public schools?

While test scores are only one measure of student achievement, they can provide an indication of students’ academic readiness for college-level work. Nationally, private school students tend to score higher on college entrance exams than public school students. That pattern is also reflected in the comparison between Rowland Hall and Utah public schools (the figures below reflect the class of 2025, the most recent reporting period):

• ACT: Utah public schools: 20; Rowland Hall: 27.1
• SAT: Utah public schools: 1229; Rowland Hall: 1347

Rowland Hall students score above Utah public school averages on both exams. Because Utah is an ACT-focused state, however, fewer public school students take the SAT, so the ACT provides a more meaningful statewide comparison.

Do private schools have better graduation and college-enrollment rates?

Families often wonder about graduation and college-enrollment rates, since they offer insight into how successfully a school helps students complete high school and continue their education.

Graduation rates vary by school, though national data suggest private school students tend to graduate at higher rates than public school students. The four-year high school graduation rate for Utah public schools is 89.8%, according to the Utah State Board of Education’s 2025 graduation data. At Rowland Hall, the graduation rate is 100%.

College enrollment is more difficult to compare because the available data for Utah high school graduates and Rowland Hall graduates measure different outcomes. According to the Utah System of Higher Education, 62.4% of Utah public high school graduates enroll in college within three years of graduation. At Rowland Hall, 100% of seniors are accepted to four-year colleges; nearly all enroll directly after graduation, though some choose to take a gap year or another path before beginning college.

How does college counseling compare at private and public schools?

The available data on college counseling aren’t directly comparable. According to the most recent data from the American School Counselor Association (2024–2025), Utah public schools had 468 students per school counselor. However, at many public schools, college counseling is part of a school counselor’s broader responsibilities rather than a dedicated position.

At Rowland Hall, the student-to-college-counselor ratio is 24 to 1, and our college counselors are dedicated to college guidance. (Rowland Hall also employs student support counselors who focus on students’ broader academic and social-emotional needs.) Each student is paired with a college counselor from junior through senior year and takes Utah’s only College Planning Class. Together, this approach gives students dedicated time and individualized guidance to navigate an increasingly complex college process. Learn more about college counseling at Rowland Hall.

Does private school give students an advantage in college admissions?

Attending a private school doesn’t guarantee an advantage in college admissions. Colleges evaluate students within the context of their high school and the opportunities available to them, so simply attending a private school isn’t a ticket to admission.

Where private schools can offer an advantage is in the preparation and guidance they provide. At Rowland Hall, students have access to a purposeful 3PreK–12 curriculum, right-challenge coursework, opportunities to pursue advanced work, and the best college counseling program in the state. Our students’ college-admission outcomes include:

• 4x the national Ivy League admission rate (2022–2026)
• 85% of the class of 2026 were admitted to at least one of their top-three-choice schools

Are private schools safer than public schools?

School safety varies by individual school, and no school type is inherently safer than another. Families should consider how a school approaches both physical security and student well-being, as well as the resources it dedicates to keeping students safe.

At Rowland Hall, safety is a schoolwide priority led by a dedicated director of safety and security. We regularly review safety procedures, conduct emergency drills, and invest in security systems designed to protect students while maintaining a welcoming learning environment. Just as important, our relationship-centered approach helps ensure students are known and have trusted adults they can turn to. Learn more about health and safety at Rowland Hall.

Are public schools more diverse than private schools?

Public and private schools can both have diverse communities, and the makeup of individual schools differs considerably. At Rowland Hall, 37% of students identify as people of color. We also offer a robust financial aid program that awards more than $5 million each year to make a Rowland Hall education accessible to families across the socioeconomic spectrum. Belonging is woven throughout the Rowland Hall experience, and our Office of Belonging, Equity, and Impact works to intentionally foster a school culture where different perspectives are represented and students feel a sense of belonging.

Do public or private schools have better extracurricular, arts, and athletics opportunities?

The opportunities available at individual schools differ, so families should consider their priorities and where their child will have meaningful ways to participate and excel. At Rowland Hall, students can pursue interests through athletics, the arts, debate, robotics, clubs, and more, as well as create clubs based on their own interests. They can also reach exceptional levels: our athletic teams regularly capture state championships (77 and counting!), our debate program has won five of the last six state titles, and Rowmark Ski Academy has produced Olympians and other elite competitors for nearly four decades.

How much does private school really cost after financial aid? Can middle-income families afford private school?

Financial aid makes a Rowland Hall education accessible to families across a range of income levels, including middle-income families. Each year, we award more than $5 million in financial aid, with the average grant covering more than 50% of tuition. Because aid is based on each family’s circumstances, there isn’t one after-aid tuition figure, and families may qualify even when they aren’t sure they’re eligible. Our admission team is available to answer any questions you have about affording a private school education at Rowland Hall.