Mathnasium Vs. Kumon Comparison: Which Tutoring Program Is Better?

If your child is falling behind or having difficulty grasping math class material, take comfort in knowing that they are not alone. According to USA Today, the United States has a lower proportion of high-achieving math students than other countries, and these scores have remained stagnant for two decades without signs of improvement.

Thankfully, there are numerous excellent resources available for families seeking guidance and support, including math tutoring programs. However, with a wide range of options to choose from, it can take time to determine which program best suits your family's needs.

In this article, we review two highly popular and well-established services in the industry: Mathnasium and Kumon, and see how they stack up against the online tutoring service Learner. By exploring the structure, format, tutors, and cost of each program, you can make a more informed decision about which one will foster the greatest academic growth for your child or if another program may be more beneficial.

Quick Facts

Why You Should Consider Online Tutoring

Online tutoring has become one of the best ways for students to grow academically. Private tutors, in particular, provide one-on-one support for students and can adjust their speed and focus according to an individual rather than a group. 

Although some families may prefer in-person tutoring sessions, it’s not nearly as convenient and may not work with busy school schedules and after-school commitments. If you’re a parent with a lot on your plate, you can trust services like Learner to provide quality tutoring and support for your child in multiple academic areas, especially math.

Mathnasium Overview

As the company name suggests, Mathnasium specializes in math tutoring for high school, middle, and elementary school students. Mathnasium has over 950 locations in the United States, and they have proven methods to help students master mathematics.

What Is Mathnasium?

Mathnasium began franchising locations in 2003 and has expanded into five continents. This service offers in-person math tutoring programs for students of all ages and has locations in most U.S. cities. They claim to have higher standards than typical national averages, like Common Core, and its services can improve student math skills. 

Mathnasium offers customized math learning plans, and its goal is to help students thoroughly understand math concepts rather than merely memorize formulas. They also offer online tutoring services that use the same teaching methods as its in-person services. To sign up, you must contact your nearest Mathnasium center to schedule a consultation. 

Mathnasium does not offer other tutoring services besides math programs, and some American cities may not have a location nearby. 

Pros

• Mathnasium has hundreds of locations in the U.S.
• Studies have shown their methods can improve student math proficiency 
• They have an online tutoring option

Cons

• No satisfaction guarantee
• Mathnasium only offers math tutoring services 
• Pricing and quality can vary by location 

Bottom line: Mathnasium offers fantastic services for improving your child’s math skills, though teacher quality and availability can vary. Although Mathnasium is known for their in-person services, they can also arrange online sessions with your local center’s tutors.

Is Mathnasium Legit and How Does It Work?

Yes, Mathnasium is a valid math tutoring service, and they have results that show students improve because of math tutoring. Mathnasium’s tutoring program uses various learning tools to teach confusing math concepts. All students start by taking an assessment highlighting which areas need the most improvement. 

Mathnasium claims to have highly-qualified tutors with specific strengths in teaching kids and young adults. Their tutors use the assessment results to design a personalized program to teach math to each student.

Mathnasium doesn’t assign homework and tries to help students thoroughly understand math concepts rather than just practice similar math problems repeatedly. Tutoring plans typically last for at least 20 sessions, but they can be adjusted according to your child’s needs. 

How Much Does Mathnasium Tutoring Cost?

Mathnasium doesn’t offer standardized rates, and the prices depend on your student’s educational needs. Some Mathnasium franchise websites estimate between $200–$350 per month. 

To find out how much your personal Mathnasium program will cost, you must meet with a tutor at one of their locations or online, and your child will need to complete an assessment.

What Are Customers Saying About Mathnasium?

Mathnasium reviews vary by location; some centers will have higher ratings than others. However, from a broad perspective, some customers have complained about Mathnasium’s services. Some tutors were considered unqualified and overpriced, but others lauded Mathnasium’s tutoring services. Overall, TrustPilot has an average score of 3.5 out of 5 stars.

Kumon Overview

Kumon has hundreds of locations in the United States and offers math and reading programs for students in grades K-12. Kumon also provides online tutoring, and typically, students will complete take-home worksheets in between tutoring sessions—either in-person or online. 

What Is Kumon?

Kumon began in Japan in 1954, and the first Kumon center opened in the U.S. in 1974. Kumon offers math and reading tutoring services for practically all ages—even for young kids that haven’t entered school yet. They have franchised learning centers throughout the country, and students will generally complete worksheets and receive instruction from local tutors. 

Kumon helps students take small, weekly steps to learn and solidify reading and math concepts through curriculums and repetitive instruction.

Kumon also offers virtual classes for the same subject matter, and students can meet with tutors over video conference. Kumon uses the same teaching methods and techniques for online tutoring, and in some cases, it’s more convenient for the student and parents. 

Pros

• Kumon offers both math and reading programs 
• Weekly sessions aren’t too time-consuming
• The pace of the lesson plans can be adjusted according to the student’s progress 

Cons

• Pricing information isn’t provided upfront
• Some Kumon students complain that the pace is too slow or repetitive 

Bottom line

Kumon has been around for a long time, and thousands of students have worked with this tutoring company to improve their math and reading skills. Although Kumon started as an in-person service, you can also schedule online visits for the same subjects. 

Is Kumon Legit and How Does It Work?

Kumon’s tutoring services are legitimate and have helped many students with reading and math comprehension. Although not every location may have the same quality of instructors, Kumon claims to hold its instructors to a high standard—though many are high school or college students.

First, parents will attend an orientation and meet with a tutor at their local Kumon learning center, where they are encouraged to ask questions to learn more about the teaching methods.

The student will then take an assessment to determine their comprehension and tutoring needs for the subject. Parents will receive pricing information, and the student will undergo a specified amount of instruction and worksheet practice. 

Kumon tries to tailor lesson plans according to the student’s needs, and tutors can alter the curriculum depending on the student’s progress. Typically, students will study at Kumon after or before school, and sessions last around 30 minutes twice a week. Students also receive take-home assignments to do on their own time. 

How Much Does Kumon Tutoring Cost?

Kumon doesn’t specify universal pricing information, and it will vary depending on the Kumon learning center. According to a local tutoring center website, monthly costs range from $150–$200 per subject, plus additional sign-up fees and deposits. This rate will differ depending on your location and the services your child needs; your local Kumon learning center can provide a detailed pricing breakdown.

What Are Customers Saying About Kumon?

Kumon reviews vary by location, and most people have reported positive results. However, some families have expressed concerns about the repetitive nature of the exercises, and there have been cases where students did not show any significant improvement beyond what they would have achieved through regular school instruction alone. 

Your local Kumon branch may have more detailed reviews, and in general, most of the reviews across the board are neutral.

Mathnasium vs. Kumon: Which Is Better?

Mathnasium and Kumon are both reputable and legitimate tutoring companies that offer similar math tutoring services, and their methods claim to help students master individual concepts.

Similarities

• In-person and online math tutoring programs 
• Both services require your child to complete an assessment
• Personalized lesson plans adapted to the student’s skill level 
• Suited for elementary, middle, and high school learning levels

Differences

• Mathnasium only offers math tutoring, whereas Kumon also has reading programs
• Kumon assigns homework, while Mathnasium only has students work during tutoring sessions

Bottom Line: Mathnasium and Kumon both offer similar services, but for a more comprehensive learning experience, Kumon is the better option, as it has more tutoring programs available, and students can do more work on the go. 

Although both tutoring programs excel in multiple areas, Learner’s tutoring services exceed parents’ expectations.

Why We Recommend Learner Instead

We recommend Learner because they have some of the best online tutors in terms of personalization and care for your student’s development. 

With Mathnasium and Kumon, some tutoring sessions may occur collectively as a group, and sometimes your child may not receive the best individual support. The work may also get repetitive or feel too similar to your child’s school’s curriculum, whereas Learner can customize the lesson plans according to their level. Learner offers one-on-one online services for reading, writing, math, and SAT & ACT prep. 

Unlike Mathnasium and Kumon, Learner was developed for virtual delivery, and it has an innovative platform to maximize engagement and positive feedback. The program was designed to accelerate student learning so they can reach their potential, and Learner’s team of world-class, highly vetted tutors is committed to meeting your child’s educational needs.

When tutors have the opportunity to work with students individually, they can promptly address recurring mistakes, resulting in accelerated progress. Additionally, they offer encouragement and positive reinforcement, which boosts student confidence, and research has shown a direct link between student confidence and academic achievement.

Whether you’re looking for general help for younger students, a custom-matched math expert for high school students, or a standardized test tutor for college admissions, Learner’s tutoring programs accelerate your child’s progress from wherever’s most convenient. Lesson plans unfold at your child’s pace, and you never need to worry about ineffective material that repeats itself. Learner offers some of the best online private tutors and custom-matched tutors who understand your child’s personality, motivation, and learning style.

Learner also offers the best satisfaction guarantee out of all three services, and 99% of customers had positive interactions. In the rare chance that you or your child isn’t satisfied, Learner offers a 100% risk-free satisfaction guarantee. Your first session is always free—no strings attached. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are some common questions we hear about these popular tutoring services.

How much does tutoring cost?

Tutoring costs depend on a few factors, such as subject, type of service, and duration. Prices can range anywhere from $150–$400+ per month, and some specialized tutors may charge even more. Once your child completes a consultation, you will receive the tutoring rate. 

How much should I pay my tutor?

Typical rates for qualified tutors usually start around $30 per hour, but they can increase with more complex or specific learning goals (like college admissions consultants). Some tutors may earn more than $100 per hour, but more common K-12 tutors earn between $30 and $80 per hour. 

Is a tutor worth it for your child?

Some children may not need a tutor, but for most students, it’s beneficial to hire a tutor. The extra assistance can give your child an advantage and a higher understanding of their schoolwork, leading to better test scores, college admissions, and scholarships. 

How can I find a tutor online?

To find the best online private tutor, Learner offers a short 1-minute assessment to help understand your and your child’s tutoring needs. After a brief call, you’ll get connected with a custom-matched tutor. 

Is online tutoring better?

No single tutoring or teaching method may work for every student, but generally, online tutoring offers more flexibility and specialization for your child’s tutoring needs. Instead of limiting your child to your area’s local tutors, you can connect them with the right instructor and meet at your convenience.