Claire ThompsonBack in his grade school days, my brother used to dread any kind of schoolwork. We thought he was just being lazy until he cried and told us he was struggling to keep up with lessons and felt left out at school.
Our parents felt bad about always scolding him, realizing he wasn’t being stubborn. He simply needed more personal guidance to better understand his subjects.
We looked into tutoring services in Columbus, hoping they could help him catch up. And guess what? It did more than that… he began to enjoy learning and always came home excited to show us his grades.
Seeing the change in him made me realize that just because some kids struggle doesn’t mean they are slow or incapable. Perhaps they need a different learning approach, which the centers on this list can provide.
How much do tutoring services cost in Columbus?
Tutoring services in Columbus typically cost, depending on grade and complexity. For instance, core subjects typically cost $25 to $40 per hour, while test prep and advanced courses (such as Chemistry and Physics) range from $45 to $200 per hour.
1. Sylvan Learning of Columbus
Address: 5721 N Hamilton Rd
Phone: +16144705826
Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 9 AM–8 PM
- Friday, 9 AM–6 PM
- Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM
Sylvan Learning of Columbus is a well-established tutoring center in the city. They offer both face-to-face and online tutoring in one-on-one or small-group formats (usually a 3:1 ratio).
The center essentially covers the big three: reading, writing, and math. But they also branch out into science, foreign languages like French, and even a STEM camp for the techie kids.
For older students, they can provide support for Advanced Placement (AP) courses and intensive test preparation for the SAT and ACT if you are pursuing a military career.
For the initial meeting, we appreciate their use of the Insight Assessment to identify each student’s academic strengths and gaps. The tutor will then work with the families to create a tailored learning plan.
Most lessons focus on helping learners gradually improve performance in subjects and test prep. With their help, many parents reported that their children achieved strong results in just a few months.
While their price point may not be the lowest, most people we spoke to consider it an investment. They said the visible gains in scores and self-esteem are worth the cost.
I truly appreciate the supportive environment they have created
“My daughter is in first grade and has been going to Sylvan Learning of Columbus for tutoring, and I’m so happy with the progress she’s making. The teachers are patient, encouraging, and really take the time to understand her needs. She looks forward to her sessions, which says a lot! I’ve noticed her confidence growing, not only in reading and schoolwork but also in how she approaches learning in general. The staff is friendly, professional, and always willing to communicate with me about her progress. I truly appreciate the supportive environment they’ve created. I would recommend Sylvan Learning of Columbus to any parent looking for extra support for their child.”
- Hafsa Nuur, Google Review
I really appreciate how they personalize the lessons to fit each child’s needs
“Sylvan Learning has been amazing for my Child! The teachers are so patient and encouraging, and they make learning fun at this age. My child looks forward to going, and I’ve already noticed growth in confidence and skills. I really appreciate how they personalize the lessons to fit each child’s needs. Highly recommend for early learners!”
- Jermain Bratton, Google Review
2. Dr. Nega Educational Center
Address: 760 S Yearling Rd
Phone: +16142641564
Business Hours:
- Monday, Wednesday, Friday, 4–7 PM
- Tuesday and Thursday, 4–6 PM
Dr. Nega Educational Center provides personalized academic support in essential areas and has helped 500+ clients over the past 5 years.
They offer about 10 programs and trainings, including reading, language, and more. In addition to the basics, there is specialized coaching for exams such as the Medical College Admission Test (MCAT) and the Law School Admission Test (LSAT).
At $30/hr for one-on-one tutoring and $20/hr for small-group sessions, we found it quite reasonable, given that some local private tutors charge much more.
While they have also adapted to virtual formats when necessary, the center strongly encourages face-to-face interactions to foster a more hands-on and engaging learning experience.
Rather than a casual or “play-based” approach, Dr. Nega’s approach is more structured and rewards discipline and consistency. It is ideal for those who need strong study habits and steady progress.
Although it may seem more of an old-school approach, parents frequently described the center’s teaching methods as “transformative”. Having been shy and self-conscious, they have noticed their kids have become more confident, both academically and personally.
Dr. Nega’s educational center has done wonders for my daughter
“Dr. Nega’s educational center has done wonders for my daughter, who also struggled with behavior. Now she’s very prepared for 1st grade and most importantly, well-behaved!”
- Lillian Morgan, MBA, Google Review
We love his teaching style
“We are so happy we found Dr.Nega. He got all of our kids caught up to grade level and beyond! We love his teaching style and the way he so easily explains concepts to the children. He has an easygoing and patient attitude, which creates a nurturing environment for the kids.”
- Chris Nikis, Google Review
3. Mathnasium
Address: 2479 Hilliard Rome Rd
Phone: +16149715571
Business Hours: Sunday to Thursday, 12–7 PM
As its name suggests, Mathnasium focuses exclusively on math for students in grades 2 through 12. They believe every child can excel in math when taught in a way that makes sense to them.
In fact, they use their own teaching style called the Mathnasium Method. It’s a customized plan that teaches students in the way they learn best—through mental, visual, or written instruction. This fills any learning gap and helps them catch up or even get ahead in math.
They cover the entire K-12 spectrum, ranging from basic skills like counting to more advanced subjects such as Algebra and Geometry.
The center uses a drop-in model, which we found highly convenient. Rather than booking appointments, families pay a monthly membership fee, and students can attend a set number of sessions per week.
We appreciate the virtual option for those who can’t attend the face-to-face sessions.
Their method appears to work effectively for most of their learners. According to the families, their children became less frustrated with math, and the improved grades they got at school greatly boosted their confidence.
They seem to be enjoying going there and are excited about math
“I have enrolled my daughters in Mathnasium about a month ago. So far so good. They seem to be enjoying going there and are excited about math, which I am happy about. The owner, Adam, treats the kids so well and wants what is best for them. Looking forward to seeing my girls thrive in math both at the center and in the classroom!”
- Fowsiya, Google Review
Mathnasium has given him the encouragement he needed
“We absolutely love Adam and all of the tutors at Mathnasium of Hilliard! My son started with absolutely no math skills and no desire to learn. He was very discouraged. Mathnasium has helped him so much that he actually says that what he is learning in school now is easy. Mathnasium has given him the encouragement he needed to help him succeed.”
- Melissa Barnes, Google Review
4. Huntington Learning Center
Address: 83 Neverland Dr, Lewis Center
Phone: +17402011880
Business Hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 12–8 PM
- Saturday, 10 AM–4 PM
Huntington Learning Center has over 50 years of experience, providing tutoring and test-preparation programs for students. Their primary focus is to improve comprehension, critical thinking, and knowledge in each discipline.
Tutors here work with students from kindergarten through high school, covering a wide range of academic areas. This includes math, reading, writing, and even ADHD-related support.
Each lesson at Huntington can be done in person at one of their local centers or online. There’s also a hybrid option for families who need more flexibility in their schedules.
We appreciate that the process starts with a 2-hour evaluation, during which they will dive deep into your academic knowledge to pinpoint exactly where you fall short. After that, a personalized plan is created to address those gaps.
One thing we find impressive is the center’s transparency. Parents we spoke to shared that the directors regularly hold conferences with them to review progress reports and adjust goals together, ensuring everyone’s on the same page.
Although it’s also worth considering that the center is among the most expensive options in the city. The assessment fee alone is $150+, and hourly rates are up to $75.
We had a great experience
“We had a great experience with Huntington Learning Center. Our son was very behind due to changing schools several times over several years. We set up a program that fit his needs. They worked with our schedule and budget to help him build his confidence and skills. He looked forward to going to each lesson.”
- Jennifer Wissinger, Google Review
The best place to learn and grow
“Huntington’s teachers know how to make the classes interesting, and they all have a different approach to each student according to their own needs. I will definitely recommend Huntington Learning Center to everyone. The best place to learn and grow.”
- Arpine Arakelyan, Google Review
5. Tutoring Club of Hilliard
Address: 3935 Trueman Blvd
Phone: +16146649474
Business hours:
- Monday to Thursday, 11 AM–8:30 PM
- Saturday, 9 AM–1 PM
With over 28 years of experience, Tutoring Club of Hilliard focuses on building long-term academic foundations that students can leverage over time. Meaning they go beyond just completing homework.
Their ongoing mentorship also supports the development of healthier study habits, organization, and time management.
The center serves students from Pre-K through 12th grade. This means it can cover a wide range of subjects, from basics to more advanced topics such as Chemistry and Physics.
Their approach to conducting lessons is pretty unique. By using the “anti-classroom” design, you won’t find students sitting boringly in front of a whiteboard. Instead, students actively engage with activities and materials tailored to their learning styles.
Not only have many students earned higher grades, but parents have also noticed lower anxiety and a calmer attitude toward schoolwork. Seems common, but a very helpful benefit of personalized tutoring is reducing stress around learning.
However, highly individualized and comprehensive programs like this are more likely to cost more than basic hourly tutoring. But they offer $50 off an academic assessment for new students, which can be a valuable opportunity for parents to gain a clearer picture of what their child needs.
Tutors were great in teaching all the subjects
“Tutoring Club has helped a lot for my daughter for ACT. We saw a 6-point increase within 3-4 months. Tutors were great in teaching all the subjects in ACT. My daughter had a few points increase in all the subjects. There was a small discrepancy in total hours, but Jon gave a few extra tutoring hours for my daughter to help increase the score. I would definitely recommend the Tutoring club for ACT and SAT to increase their scores.”
- Sireesha Gangaraju, Google Review
This is an amazing place for kids’ tutoring
“This is an amazing place for kids’ tutoring. The faculty here encourages the kids with rewards, and personal care is taken for all students to improve their skills. I am very happy to see my kids’ progress in the last year. I would definitely recommend this.”
- Mounika Akula, Google Review
