There is a growing demand for supplemental education. In recent years, this has created a significant market opportunity. Whether you’re an entrepreneur, STEM professional, or someone who has had a passion for education but worried about long-term earning potential, investing in a franchise that serves the supplemental school market could be the right fit for you. You’ll help students succeed academically, fill critical gaps in their education, and build a profitable enterprise with more earning potential than in the public sector.
Teacher Shortages Continue
Every state and the District of Columbia reported shortages in more than one teaching area for the 2024–25 school year. States most commonly reported shortage areas in special education (45 states), science (41 states), and math (40 states), according to The Learning Policy Institute. A Gallup study found that 48% of U.S. K–12 educational leaders reported it is very challenging to hire well-qualified math teachers, more than for any other subject. Another 34% described it as somewhat challenging. These shortages are especially noticeable in lower-income and rural areas, where over 55% of leaders report it’s tough to hire math teachers, compared with 45% in more affluent or urban regions.
Due to the lack of teachers qualified to teach high school-level STEM subjects, parents want experts who can provide their students with the math, science, and technology content they need to prepare for college and careers. According to a Pew study, approximately 90% of parents stated that it’s extremely or very important to them for their children to be financially independent as adults. About 41% reported that it’s extremely or very important to them that their children earn a college degree, with that number rising to 70% for Asian respondents.
Tutoring franchises that can offer quality instruction in math and other high-need subjects can meet these urgent needs.
The Supplemental Education Services Market Is Booming AND Recession-Resistant
Economic downturns can lead to school budget cuts, larger classes, and fewer educational opportunities for students. Tutoring centers can help fill this gap, and parents are willing to invest in personalized instruction, making secondary education a recession-resistant field.
The popularity of supplemental tutoring continues to gain momentum. Between 1997 and 2022, the number of private tutoring centers increased more than threefold, from approximately 3,000 to 10,000. The private tutoring market in the United States is estimated to grow by $28.85 billion between 2025 and 2029, according to Technavio.
One tutoring franchise, Mathnasium Learning Centers, was recently named a top 2025 Recession-Resistant franchise by our team here at Franchise Business Review and has experienced significant growth since the onset of the pandemic. Following a steady increase from 2020 to 2022, Mathnasium’s expansion accelerated significantly between 2023 and early 2025, adding more than 50 centers in the United States during that period.
An Alternate Path to Becoming a Teacher
Working as a licensed teacher can be a rewarding career, but it requires a significant time commitment. Most states require teachers to earn a bachelor’s degree in a specific subject area, complete a months-long, supervised student teaching assignment, and pass exams to gain state licensure. Yet, a beginning teacher makes $46,526 per year on average, although this amount varies by state and years of experience.
If you’re passionate about helping students succeed, earning a teaching license isn’t the only way you can serve students and earn a living. You don’t need a state license, formal degree, or teaching credential to run a tutoring center. While licensed teachers often possess strong content-area backgrounds, STEM-industry professionals can deliver highly motivating, context-rich lessons that resonate with today’s learners in ways traditional instruction may not. And, because tutoring franchisors provide franchise owners and their staff with time-tested curricula and assessments, you get a proven roadmap created by educators with years of experience.
Why Investing in a Tutoring Franchise Is a Faster Entry Point
Investing in a tutoring franchise offers a faster and more accessible way for you to make a difference in your community. Instead of spending years and thousands of dollars meeting licensing requirements, franchise owners can:
- Offer high-demand support in core subjects like math, science, and English.
- Fill gaps left by teacher shortages and crowded classrooms.
- Start making an immediate impact, helping students boost their performance and prepare for college or careers.
You may also have more income potential as an owner of a tutoring franchise than you would as a public school teacher. According to Item 19 in Mathnasium’s Franchise Disclosure Document, the median revenue reported by centers in 2024 was $367,545, with an operating profit of $115,190.
If you’re worried that your math skills may not be up to par, be assured that franchise success relies more on business and leadership skills than a teaching credential. Leading tutoring franchises offer a comprehensive curriculum, training, and operational support, eliminating the need for owners to create lesson plans from scratch or spend time refining curricula. Instead, you can focus on student enrollment, local marketing, and customer service.
Franchise models can provide a structured path to profitability, compared to starting your own business. Aligning with a national franchise gives you instant brand recognition, proven systems, and diversified revenue streams. Some tutoring companies even offer flexible ownership models, allowing owners to delegate the management of their centers to directors or assistant directors.
Mathnasium: A Proven Business Model
Founded in 2002, Mathnasium Learning Centers support students in grades pre-K through 12 with curriculum materials and personalized instruction. Today, there are more than 1,200 Mathnasium centers worldwide, spanning 12 countries, with continued expansion meeting the rising demand for math tutoring. Families pay monthly membership fees, and instructors create custom learning paths using Mathnasium’s proprietary curriculum.
Owners hire local instructors, including retired teachers, college students, and advanced high school students, who are trained in the Mathnasium Method™. You can also choose to tutor students if you enjoy working with children. On the business side, the Mathnasium corporate office assists new owners in opening centers, launching marketing campaigns, and establishing sales goals.
The company’s membership model differentiates it from traditional tutoring, where families pay a private tutor by the hour. Instead, families pay a monthly fee to their Mathnasium center, which ensures predictable revenue for owners while encouraging consistent attendance and long-term retention.
Even owners with teaching backgrounds credit Mathnasium’s business model and instructional approach. Former teacher and Mathnasium center owner Becky McDaniels left the public school classroom but missed working with students. Now, she serves 200 families across two centers and enjoys the freedom she has to meet individual students’ needs.
“I love working with the kids and seeing them light up,” said Becky McDaniels, a Mathnasium franchise owner. “I can achieve my goals of serving as many kids as possible and making the biggest impact in their lives.”
Adding It All Up
Owning a tutoring franchise requires an upfront business investment that can range from a few thousand dollars to several hundred thousand dollars. Most Mathnasium owners launch their centers using a combination of personal funds, financing options, and small business support programs.
Mathnasium’s total initial investment ranges from $112,936 to $149,155, which includes:
- A franchise fee ($49,000)
- Leasehold improvements, technology, furniture, etc.
- Working capital for the first 3–6 months
Your franchise fee covers an extensive training program, as well as the services of two dedicated professionals to assist with startup and ongoing operations. After you sign your Franchise Agreement with Mathnasium, a Field Support Specialist (FSS) will work with you to help you find the right space and to get your physical location open for business. Your FSS stays with you between 6 months and up to a year. Once your center is open and operating, your Franchise Business Consultant (FBC) will work with you as you build your business. Your FBC has experience with franchising and understands the intricacies specific to Mathnasium. They serve as your private business coach, calling you, checking in on you, and helping guide you on your journey of continual growth.
Not only are Mathnasium owners profitable, but they’re also enjoying their businesses and the support they receive from the corporate office. According to one of our recent Franchise Business Review surveys, owners put Mathnasium at the head of the class.
- 91% agreed they enjoyed operating their business
- 90% agreed they were supportive of the Mathnasium brand
- 89% agreed they enjoyed being a part of the organization
Before investing in a tutoring franchise or any other franchise business, it is essential to identify your strengths and areas where you could benefit from additional support. Many Mathnasium owners with strong business backgrounds hire tutors in specific subject areas, whereas others with strong education backgrounds seek support in business operations.
To learn more, explore Mathnasium’s website and download this free report.
