PANAMA CITY, Panama – Most private schools in Panama will maintain current tuition and enrollment fees for the 2026 academic year, according to a recent report from the Consumer Protection and Competition Authority (Acodeco). The October 2025 analysis of 140 private institutions reveals that while price stability dominates the sector, education costs continue to present significant financial challenges for Panamanian families amid economic pressures.
The comprehensive study, updated through October 15, 2025, indicates that 79% of monitored schools—equivalent to 111 institutions—will not increase enrollment or annual tuition fees for the upcoming school year. Despite this general stability, approximately one-fifth of surveyed educational centers did report price increases across various service categories.
“The majority of private educational centers in the country decided to maintain their enrollment and registration fees without changes for the 2026 school year,” stated the Acodeco report [Translated from Spanish].
Panama’s private education sector encompasses 536 registered institutions according to Ministry of Education (Meduca) data. Acodeco’s sample of 140 schools represents approximately 26% of the country’s private centers, providing a significant overview of cost evolution within the sector.
Enrollment Fee Increases and Variations
Enrollment costs include registration fees, laboratory payments, parent association contributions, and other expenses separate from monthly tuition. Nationally, primary school enrollment fees demonstrate extreme variation, ranging from $40.00 at Colegio El Buen Pastor David in Chiriquí to $2,023.33 at Colegio Isaac Rabin in Panama City.
Among the 19% of institutions implementing primary level enrollment fee increases, the most significant adjustments included Escuela Clara Ophelia Wattley in Panama Centro with a $112.50 increase representing 53.7%, Scala International Academy in Coclé with a $111.67 increase (52.6%), and Instituto Bilingüe Santa María La Antigua (ISMA) in Panama Centro with a $50.00 increase equivalent to 11.9%.
At the preschool level in Panama Centro, Escuela Clara Ophelia Wattley reported the highest monetary and percentage increase at $105.00, representing a 55.3% jump from previous rates.
Annual Tuition Adjustments Show Disparity
Annual tuition costs—representing monthly school payments—also show wide national disparity, varying from $410 at Colegio Inmaculada Concepción de María in Panama Este to $7,225 at El Colegio de Panamá in Panama centro.
At the primary level, 11 schools reported tuition increases, with notable adjustments in Panama City institutions. El Colegio de Panamá implemented a $525 increase (7.8%), Instituto de Ciencias Aplicadas increased by $275 (10%), and Colegio Internacional de María Inmaculada raised tuition by $250 (10.4%).
“Unemployment, which could end the year in double digits, and the loss of purchasing power of households have contributed to a reduction of more than 35 thousand students in private schools in the last five years,” the report noted regarding enrollment trends [Translated from Spanish].
The analysis also documented rare tuition reductions. Colegio Claret Panamá reported decreases in annual tuition across all educational levels (preschool, primary, pre-middle, and middle school) due to the elimination of a project fee charged in 2025. The primary level reduction amounted to $200, representing an 11.1% decrease.
Panama’s Most Expensive Private Schools
The Acodeco report identified institutions with the highest average annual tuition costs for the 2026 academic year, concentrating on primary and pre-middle school levels where the sample’s most elevated costs appear.
Colegio Isaac Rabin in Panama centro shows the highest pre-middle school tuition at $8,166 among reporting institutions. The school also maintains the most expensive primary level enrollment nationally at $2,023 with average primary tuition of $6,616.
El Colegio de Panamá in Panama centro presents the highest primary school tuition at $7,225, with pre-middle school costs reaching $7,700. Sabis International School in Panamá Oeste demonstrates costs comparable to Panama City institutions despite its location, with pre-middle tuition of $8,020 and primary level at $6,705.
Colegio Brader in Panama centro maintains consistent pricing with pre-middle tuition of $7,600 and primary level at $6,575, while enrollment remains $750 for both levels. Colegio Internacional del Caribe in Colón stands out within its province with primary tuition of $5,440 and enrollment costing $1,870.
The consumer protection authority recommends that parents verify exact costs for specific grade levels, as prices can vary significantly between academic years within the same institution.
Additional Costs and Economic Context
Beyond standard tuition and enrollment fees, families face additional educational expenses including the controversial “donation” requirement. According to collected information, 15 private institutions explicitly list donation requirements, particularly for first-time students.
These financial pressures occur within a challenging economic landscape where Panama’s minimum wage remains below $700 monthly and average salaries barely exceed $1,500. This economic reality forces many families to balance educational aspirations against tightening budgets when selecting schools.
The Ministry of Education continues to monitor private institution compliance with fee disclosure requirements as the October enrollment period begins, traditionally marking the annual scramble for securing student placements in Panama’s private education system.