NAICS 611691 Quarterly Industry Report
Exam Preparation and Tutoring
Comprehensive industry research for valuation professionals, business owners, buyers, and lenders
NAICS Code: 611691Sector: Educational Services (61)Updated: Q1 2026
About This Report
This industry profile for Exam Preparation and Tutoring (NAICS 611691) draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau[8], Bureau of Labor Statistics[6], educational assessment data, and SBA size standards database[7]. Published by Fair Market Value and updated quarterly, it provides valuation professionals, education analysts, and business appraisers with current market data. The editorial analysis reflects the independent assessment of FairMarketValue.com's research team, with all quantitative claims sourced to publicly verifiable databases.
Industry Snapshot
Key metrics for the exam preparation and tutoring industry.
Industry Definition & Overview
Exam Preparation and Tutoring (NAICS 611691) encompasses establishments primarily engaged in offering preparation for standardized examinations and providing academic tutoring services per the U.S. Census Bureau[5]. Exam preparation covers standardized tests including the SAT, ACT, GRE, GMAT, LSAT, MCAT, and professional certification examinations. Tutoring services address subject-specific academic support across K-12 and higher education curricula through individual sessions, small group formats, and online platform delivery.
Roughly 8,905 establishments generate approximately $18.9 billion in U.S. annual revenue per the Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] and Census data, growing at a 2.6 percent compound annual rate over the past five years. Kaplan, The Princeton Review, Sylvan Learning, Kumon North America, and Varsity Tutors rank among the largest operators. The global tutoring market reached $67.5 billion in 2024, with online tutoring projected to grow by $518 billion through 2030 at a 22.4 percent compound annual rate.
Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], the size standard is $12.5 million in average annual receipts. AI-driven adaptive learning platforms and personalized analytics have reshaped service delivery, with high-dose tutoring becoming especially popular in 2023 and 2024. Some colleges and universities have moved away from standardized test score requirements, reducing demand for SAT and ACT preparation, though MCAT, LSAT, and professional certification exam preparation remains strong. Educational data privacy regulations including FERPA and COPPA govern online tutoring platforms serving students in school-based and minor-age populations.
What's Included in This Industry
- SAT and ACT college admissions test preparation courses
- GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT graduate exam preparation
- Professional certification and licensing exam prep
- K-12 subject tutoring in math, science, and language arts
- Online and hybrid tutoring platform delivery
- High-dose tutoring and intensive academic intervention
- College application and essay coaching services
- Small group instruction and study skills development
- AI-powered adaptive learning and diagnostic assessment
- Franchise-based tutoring center operations
NAICS Classification Hierarchy
| Level | Description | Code |
|---|---|---|
| Sector | Educational Services | 61 |
| Subsector | Educational Services | 611 |
| Industry Group | Other Schools and Instruction | 6116 |
| NAICS Industry | All Other Schools and Instruction | 61169 |
| National Industry | Exam Preparation and Tutoring | 611691 |
Related NAICS Codes
| Code | Description | Relationship |
|---|---|---|
| 611110 | Elementary and Secondary Schools | Elementary and Secondary Schools create the primary demand source for K-12 tutoring and standardized test preparation, with academic performance gaps and college admissions pressure driving families toward supplemental tutoring services |
| 611310 | Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools generate demand for graduate entrance exam preparation, with GRE, GMAT, LSAT, and MCAT test prep revenue directly tied to higher education admissions volume |
| 611610 | Fine Arts Schools | Fine Arts Schools compete for the same after-school time slots and family education budgets, though tutoring targets academic performance improvement while arts schools address creative skill development |
| 611630 | Language Schools | Language Schools overlap in test preparation services, with TOEFL and IELTS exam prep creating a shared market between language instruction providers and dedicated test preparation companies |
| 611620 | Sports and Recreation Instruction | Sports and Recreation Instruction competes for family after-school time and discretionary education spending, with parents balancing athletic activity enrollment against academic tutoring priorities |
| 611710 | Educational Support Services | Educational Support Services provide assessment testing, diagnostic tools, and learning management platforms that tutoring companies contract for student progress tracking and adaptive curriculum delivery |
Geographic Concentration
Top states by share of national establishments.
| # | State | % Est. | Total Est. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | California | 20.6% | 2,118 |
| 2 | New York | 9.0% | 929 |
| 3 | Texas | 8.6% | 885 |
| 4 | Florida | 7.3% | 754 |
| 5 | New Jersey | 5.0% | 509 |
| 6 | Georgia | 3.8% | 395 |
| 7 | Illinois | 3.5% | 359 |
| 8 | Virginia | 2.9% | 298 |
| 9 | North Carolina | 2.6% | 273 |
| 10 | Washington | 2.6% | 264 |
% Of Establishments
0%
21%
Source: County Business Patterns, U.S. Census Bureau[3]
SBA Lending Summary
592
Total SBA Loans
$215.3M
Total Loan Volume
$364K
Average Loan Size
11 yrs
Average Loan Term
10.53%
Average Interest Rate
7,584
Jobs Supported
Source: SBA 7(a) Program Data, U.S. Small Business Administration — FY 2025[4]
Key Insight: Per the SBA Table of Size Standards[7], Exam Preparation and Tutoring (NAICS 611691) has a size standard of $12.5 million in average annual receipts for federal contracting purposes. SBA lending programs[9] support technology platform development, franchise acquisition, and center buildout for qualifying tutoring operators. Eligible businesses can access SBA 7(a) loans[10] for working capital, equipment, and acquisition financing, while 504 loans[11] support major fixed-asset purchases including real estate and heavy machinery.
Top SBA Lenders
| # | Lender | Loans | Volume | Avg Loan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Merchants Bank of Indiana | 16 | $37.9M | $2.4M |
| 2 | Community Bank & Trust-West Georgia | 8 | $30.1M | $3.8M |
| 3 | U.S. Bank, National Association | 40 | $18.3M | $459K |
| 4 | Live Oak Banking Company | 32 | $16.7M | $523K |
| 5 | New Millennium Bank | 8 | $16.7M | $2.1M |
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about this industry.
What is the NAICS code for tutoring and test prep companies?
NAICS 611691 covers exam preparation and tutoring establishments, including SAT/ACT prep, graduate exam preparation, K-12 subject tutoring, and professional certification exam prep per the U.S. Census Bureau[5].
How large is the U.S. tutoring market?
What is the SBA size standard for tutoring companies?
The SBA size standard[7] is $12.5 million in average annual receipts, determining eligibility for federal small business contracting programs and SBA lending products.
Who are the largest tutoring and test prep companies?
Kaplan, The Princeton Review, Sylvan Learning, Kumon North America, and Varsity Tutors rank among the largest operators, serving millions of students annually across in-person and online delivery channels.
How has test-optional admissions affected SAT/ACT prep?
Some colleges moving away from standardized test score requirements has reduced SAT and ACT preparation demand, though MCAT, LSAT, and professional certification exam preparation remains strong per Bureau of Labor Statistics[6] industry data.
What is high-dose tutoring?
High-dose tutoring delivers frequent, intensive academic intervention sessions, typically three or more times per week, and became especially popular in 2023 and 2024 as schools invested in closing post-pandemic learning gaps.
How is AI changing the tutoring industry?
AI-driven adaptive learning platforms analyze student performance data to personalize instruction pathways and diagnostic assessments, reshaping how tutoring companies deliver scalable one-on-one instruction through automated recommendation engines.
What data privacy rules apply to online tutoring?
FERPA and COPPA govern online tutoring platforms serving students in school-based programs and minor-age populations per U.S. Department of Education[12] regulatory guidance, requiring parental consent and student data protection safeguards.
Sources & References
Government datasets and editorial sources used in this report.
- [1]U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages bls.gov
- [2]U.S. Census Bureau, Economic Census census.gov
- [3]U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns census.gov
- [4]U.S. Small Business Administration, SBA 7(a) Loan Program Data data.sba.gov
- [5]U.S. Census Bureau census.gov
- [6]Bureau of Labor Statistics bls.gov
- [7]SBA Table of Size Standards sba.gov
- [8]U.S. Census Bureau data.census.gov
- [9]SBA lending programs sba.gov
- [10]SBA 7(a) loans sba.gov
- [11]504 loans sba.gov
- [12]U.S. Department of Education ed.gov
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