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Charter Schools in the US - Market Research Report (2014-2029)

Gabriel Seiler Gabriel Seiler New York, United States Last Updated: September 2024 NAICS OD4993

Revenue

$49.6bn

2024

$49.6bn

Past 5-Year Growth

Profit

$X.Xbn

Employees

516k

Businesses

7,090

Wages

$XX.Xbn

Charter Schools in the US industry analysis

Funded by the same public sources, charter schools offer primary- and secondary-level programs more flexible in curriculum design and implementation than traditional public schools. Charter schools receive nearly all their funding from federal, state and local governments, so revenue can fluctuate significantly based on budgetary decisions tied to tax income. However, many charter schools are funded per pupil, enabling schools to drive up enrollment without worrying about financial support. Sustained long-term growth in charter school enrollment saw its first setback in 2022 as alternatives became much more attractive, though growth in per-pupil funding helped offset shrinking student bodies. Overall, industry revenue is anticipated to climb at a CAGR of 0.5% to an estimated $49.6 billion through the end of 2024, including a 0.3% increase in 2024 alone.

Trends and Insights

  • Charter schools are looking to improve their educational outcomes. By showcasing high standardized test scores, charter schools can justify their existence and avoid losing students to popular alternatives, like homeschooling.
  • Charter schools provide primary and secondary education through different combinations of education levels and age groups. Products and services are segmented by school type, as charter schools can't charge tuition and don't directly generate student revenue.
  • The number of school-age children and general regional populations largely influences demand. Population density significantly determines the need for new public schools, as larger groups of children require more schools.
  • Private and alternative schools are siphoning students from charter schools. Voucher programs increasingly make private schools more affordable to more households.

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  • Market estimates from 2014-2029
  • Critical performance data and rankings
  • Detailed analysis of competitive forces and the external environment
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Industry Statistics and Trends

Market size and recent performance (2014-2029)

Industry revenue has grown at a CAGR of 0.5 % over the past five years, to reach an estimated $49.6bn in 2024.

Trends and Insights

Alternative schooling options dragged down revenue in 2022

  • Despite straining disposable income amid inflation, the number of households earning over $100,000 annually has significantly climbed since 2022. Parents in high-earning households are much more likely to choose private schools over charter schools for their kids, dampening enrollment in the industry's schools.
  • Additional trends and insights available with purchase
Charter Schools in the US
Revenue (2014-2029)
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry outlook (2024-2029)

Market size is projected to grow over the next five years.

Trends and Insights

Charter schools will come to account for a larger portion of public education

  • According to data from the National Alliance for Public Charters, 7.4% of all public school students in the 2021-2022 school year were enrolled at charter schools (latest data available). If the prior five-year trend continues, nearly one in ten public school students will study at charter schools by 2029.

Biggest companies in the Charter Schools in the US

Company
Market Share (%)
2024
Revenue ($m)
2024
Profit ($m)
2024
Profit Margin (%)
2024
Los Angeles Unified School District
4,548.7
253.6
5.6

To view the market share and analysis for all 1 top companies in this industry, view purchase options.

Products & Services Segmentation

Charter Schools in the US
Products & Services
IBISWorld Logo Source: IBISWorld

Industry revenue is measured across several distinct product and services lines, including Elementary schools, Middle schools and Secondary and high schools. Elementary schools is the largest segment of the Charter Schools in the US.

Trends and Insights

Charter elementary schools account for the largest share of all public schools

  • The United States Department of Education (USDOE) defines “regular” public schools as neighborhood-based schools mandated to accept all children living in the area.
  • More insights available in the full report

Table of Contents

About this industry

Industry definition

Charter schools offer primary or secondary education but are subject to fewer rules, regulations and statutes than traditional public schools. They receive less public funding than traditional public schools, typically a fixed amount per pupil. Their students are still required to take state-mandated exams. Charter schools are nonprofit entities and can receive donations from private sources.

What's included in this industry?

Teaching basic literacy and numeracy Establishing foundations in science, mathematics, geography, history and other social sciencesProviding access to extracurricular activitiesMeeting accountability requirements outlined in the school's charter

Companies

Los Angeles Unified School District

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Related Terms

SCHOOL DISTRICTNO CHILD LEFT BEHIND (NCLB)VIRTUAL CLASSROOMRACE TO THE TOPK-12

Industry Code

NAICS 2017

NAICS 61111 - Charter Schools in the US

Performance

Get an indication of the industry's health through historical, current and forward-looking trends in the performance indicators that make or break businesses.

Analyst insights

Charter schools are looking to improve their educational outcomes. By showcasing high standardized test scores, charter schools can justify their existence and avoid losing s...

In this chapter (4)

  • Current Performance
  • Outlook
  • Volatility
  • Life Cycle

Key metrics

  • Annual Revenue, Recent Growth, Forecast, Revenue Volatility
  • Number of Employees, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Employee
  • Number of Businesses, Recent Growth, Forecast, Employees per Business, Revenue per Business
  • Total Profit, Profit Margin, Profit per Business

Charts

  • Revenue, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Employees, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Businesses, including historical (2014-2023) and forecast (2024-2029)
  • Profit, including historical (2014-2024)
  • Industry Volatility vs. Revenue Growth
  • Industry Life Cycle

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in supply, demand and current events that are driving current industry performance
  • Expected trends, economic factors and ongoing events that drive the industry's outlook
  • Key success factors for businesses to overcome volatility
  • How contribution to GDP, industry saturation, innovation, consolidation, and technology and systems influence the industry's life cycle phase.

Products and Markets

Learn about an industry's products and services, markets and trends in international trade.

Analyst insight

Charter schools provide primary and secondary education through different combinations of education levels and age groups. Products and services are segmented by school type,...

In this chapter

  • Products & Services
  • Major Markets

Key metrics

  • Largest market segment and value in 2024
  • Product innovation level

Charts

  • Products & services segmentation in 2024
  • Major market segmentation in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Trends impacting the recent performance of the industry's various segments
  • Innovations in the industry's product or service offering, specialization or delivery method
  • Key factors that successful businesses consider in their offerings
  • Buying segments and key trends influencing demand for industry products and services

Geographic Breakdown

Discover where business activity is most concentrated in an industry and the factors driving these trends to find opportunities and conduct regional benchmarking.

Analyst insights

The number of school-age children and general regional populations largely influences demand. Population density significantly determines the need for new public schools, as ...

In this chapter (1)

  • Business Locations

Charts

  • Share of revenue, establishment, wages and employment in each state
  • Share of population compared to establishments in each region in 2024

Tables

  • Number and share of establishments in each state in 2024
  • Number and share of revenue each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of wages each state accounts for in 2024
  • Number and share of employees in each state in 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Geographic spread of the industry across North America, and trends associated with changes in the business landscape
  • Key success factors for businesses to use location to their advantage

Competitive Forces

Get data and insights on what's driving competition in an industry and the challenges industry operators and new entrants may face, with analysis built around Porter's Five Forces framework.

Analyst insights

Private and alternative schools are siphoning students from charter schools. Voucher programs increasingly make private schools more affordable to more households.

In this chapter (4)

  • Concentration
  • Barriers to Entry
  • Substitutes
  • Buyer & Supplier Analysis

Key metrics

  • Industry concentration level
  • Industry competition level and trend
  • Barriers to entry level and trend
  • Substitutes level and trend
  • Buyer power level and trend
  • Supplier power level and trend

Charts

  • Market share concentration among the top 4 suppliers from 2019-2024
  • Supply chain including upstream supplying industries and downstream buying industries, flow chart

Detailed analysis

  • Factors impacting the industry’s level of concentration, such as business distribution, new entrants, or merger and acquisition activity.
  • Key success factors for businesses to manage the competitive environment of the industry.
  • Challenges that potential industry entrants face such as legal, start-up costs, differentiation, labor/capital intensity and capital expenses.
  • Key success factors for potential entrants to overcome barriers to entry.
  • Competitive threats from potential substitutes for the industry’s own products and services.
  • Key success factors for how successful businesses can compete with substitutes.
  • Advantages that buyers have to keep favorable purchasing conditions.
  • Advantages that suppliers have to maintain favorable selling conditions.
  • Key success factors for how businesses can navigate buyer and supplier power.

Companies

Learn about the performance of the top companies in the industry.

Analyst insights

No single school district accounts for more than 5.0% of industry revenue. The mandatory education requirement makes charter schools scattered across the country.

In this chapter

  • Market Share Concentration
  • Companies
  • Company Spotlights

Charts

  • Industry market share by company in 2020 through 2024
  • Major companies in the industry, including market share, revenue, profit and profit margin in 2024
  • Overview of Los Angeles Unified School District's performance by revenue, market share and profit margin from 2018 through 2024

Detailed analysis

  • Description and key data for Los Angeles Unified School District, and factors influencing its performance in the industry

External Environment

Understand the demographic, economic and regulatory factors that shape how businesses in an industry perform.   

Analyst insights

Low-income students receive educational support through the Every Child Succeeds Act. Charter schools largely cater to impoverished communities with poor-performing public sc...

In this chapter

  • External Drivers
  • Regulation & Policy
  • Assistance

Key metrics

  • Regulation & policy level and trend
  • Assistance level and trend

Charts

  • Regulation & Policy historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 
  • Assistance historical data and forecast (2014-2029) 

Detailed analysis

  • Demographic and macroeconomic factors influencing the industry, including Regulation & Policy and Assistance
  • Major types of regulations, regulatory bodies, industry standards or specific regulations impacting requirements for industry operators
  • Key governmental and non-governmental groups or policies that may provide some relief for industry operators.

Financial Benchmarks

View average costs for industry operators and compare financial data against an industry's financial benchmarks over time. 

Analyst insights

Charter schools market their academic and extracurricular achievements to attract students and increase enrollment. Schools now use marketing materials to differentiate thems...

In this chapter

  • Cost Structure
  • Financial Ratios
  • Key Ratios

Key metrics

  • Profit margin, and how it compares to the sector-wide margin
  • Average wages, and how it compares to the sector-wide average wage
  • Largest cost component as a percentage of revenue
  • Industry average ratios for days' receivables, industry coverage and debt-to-net-worth ratio

Charts

  • Average industry operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Average sector operating costs as a share of revenue, including purchases, wages, depreciation, utilities, rent, other costs and profit in 2024
  • Investment vs. share of economy

Data tables

  • Industry Multiples (2017-2022)
  • Industry Tax Structure (2017-2022)
  • Income Statement (2017-2022)
  • Balance Sheet (2017-2022)
  • Liquidity Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Coverage Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Leverage Ratios  (2017-2022)
  • Operating Ratios (2017-2022)
  • Cash Flow & Debt Service Ratios (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Employee (2014-2029)
  • Revenue per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Establishment (2014-2029)
  • Employees per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • Average Wage (2014-2029)
  • Wages/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Establishments per Enterprise (2014-2029)
  • IVA/Revenue (2014-2029)
  • Imports/Demand (2014-2029)
  • Exports/Revenue (2014-2029)

Detailed analysis

  • Trends in the cost component for industry operators and their impact on industry costs and profitability 

Key Statistics

Industry Data

Data Tables

Including values and annual change:

  • Revenue (2014-2029)
  • IVA (2014-2029)
  • Establishments (2014-2029)
  • Enterprises (2014-2029)
  • Employment (2014-2029)
  • Exports (2014-2029)
  • Imports (2014-2029)
  • Wages (2014-2029)

Top Questions Answered

Unlock comprehensive answers and precise data upon purchase. View purchase options.

What is the market size of the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States in 2024?

The market size of the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States is $49.6bn in 2024.

How many businesses are there in the Charter Schools in the US industry in 2024?

There are 7,090 businesses in the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States, which has grown at a CAGR of 1.4 % between 2019 and 2024.

Has the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States grown or declined over the past 5 years?

The market size of the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States has been growing at a CAGR of 0.5 % between 2019 and 2024.

What is the forecast growth of the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States over the next 5 years?

Over the next five years, the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States is expected to grow.

What are the biggest companies in the Charter Schools in the US market in United States?

The biggest company operating in the Charter Schools market in United States is Los Angeles Unified School District

What does the Charter Schools in the US in United States include?

Teaching basic literacy and numeracy and Establishing foundations in science, mathematics, geography, history and other social sciences are part of the Charter Schools in the US industry.

Which companies have the highest market share in the Charter Schools in the US in United States?

The company holding the most market share in United States is Los Angeles Unified School District.

How competitive is the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States?

The level of competition is high and steady in the Charter Schools in the US industry in United States.

Related Industries

Widen your competitive advantage with related industries

Competitors

  • Trade & Technical Schools in the US
  • Public Schools in the US
  • Private Schools in the US

Complementors

  • Tutoring & Driving Schools in the US
  • Community Colleges in the US
  • Colleges & Universities in the US
  • For-Profit Universities in the US

International industries

  • Government Schools in Australia
  • School Education in New Zealand
  • Primary Education in the UK
  • General Secondary Education in the UK
  • Secondary Education in Ireland

View all industries in United States

Methodology

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Our analysts start with official, verified and publicly available sources of data to build the most accurate picture of each industry. Analysts then leverage their expertise and knowledge of the local markets to synthesize trends into digestible content for IBISWorld readers. Finally, each report is reviewed by one of IBISWorld’s editors, who provide quality assurance to ensure accuracy and readability.

IBISWorld relies on human-verified data and human-written analysis to compile each standard industry report. We do not use generative AI tools to write insights, although members can choose to leverage AI-based tools within the platform to generate additional analysis formats.

What data sources do IBISWorld analysts use?

Each industry report incorporates data and research from government databases, industry-specific sources, industry contacts, and our own proprietary database of statistics and analysis to provide balanced, independent and accurate insights.

Key data sources in the US include: 

  • US Census Bureau
  • US Bureau of Labor Statistics
  • US International Trade Commission

Analysts also use industry specific sources to complement catch-all sources, although their perspective may focus on a particular organization or representative body, rather than a clear overview of all industry operations. However, when balanced against other perspectives, industry-specific sources provide insights into industry trends.

These sources include:

  • Industry and trade associations
  • Industry federations or regulators
  • Major industry players annual or quarterly filings

Finally, IBISWorld’s global data scientists maintain a proprietary database of macroeconomic and demand drivers, which our analysts use to help inform industry data and trends. They also maintain a database of statistics and analysis on thousands of industries, which has been built over our more than 50-year history and offers comprehensive insights into long-term trends.

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