One of the most common questions we get is, “How much do martial arts classes cost?” Honestly, it can range from $25 to over $300 per month. At Farrell’s Martial Arts, our most common tuition plan is $165 per month as of this writing.
We’ve been in business in the Des Moines area since 1989, so we’ve seen a lot of martial arts schools come and go. Not all martial arts schools are created equal, hence the big range in tuition costs. Generally speaking, there are three types of schools:
- Recreational schools
- Part time schools
- Full-time schools
Let’s break down each of these schools and their associated costs.
Recreational Schools ($25-$50 per month)
Recreational schools are typically through community parks and rec departments. Many of these programs will be taught in community facilities by an instructor who just wants to give back to the community. Most of the time there are only a few classes to choose from and there are multiple students of a variety of ranks and ages in the same class. Your options for class times and one-on-one attention will probably not be plentiful. If an instructor gets sick or hurt, it’s likely that classes will be canceled. If you’re just looking for an activity, recreational schools can be a great way to learn more about martial arts.
Part-Time Schools ($50-$150)
Part-time schools are typically run by one instructor or a small group of instructors that have other careers that pay the bills. They have a love of teaching martial arts and run a school on the side. Many times class times are limited because they are also working another job. Most of the time these schools are a small facility in a strip mall. We see a lot of these types of schools come and go because it’s mostly focused on one individual instructor or a very small team.
Full-Time Schools ($150+)
Full-time schools are fully invested in martial arts as a profession. Schools like Farrell’s Martial Arts employ a team of full time and part time instructors and support staff to coach and train students. They have dedicated facilities that are focused only on martial arts instruction. These schools cost more because of the investment that they make in their instructors, their facilities and their curriculum. As a result, you’ll get an experience that includes consistent and multiple class times, a variety of specialized instructors, a proven curriculum and a responsive team.
Each type of school plays a role in teaching martial arts in our communities. We encourage you to consider what you are looking for in your martial arts experience before choosing a school.
We’d love to have you come in for a free class and check out our school! Click here to see our calendar and book your class online.
