5 Education Franchises Worth Buying In 2024

The demand for quality education continues to rise around the country, presenting lucrative opportunities for aspiring franchisees. From fostering early childhood development to providing specialized tutoring and science, technology, engineering, arts and mathematics (STEAM)-focused programs, these five franchises cover diverse educational needs.

Funtastik Labs

• Investment Range: $257,250-352,250
• Unit Count: 1

Funtastik Labs is a children’s entertainment franchise that offers STEAM activities including robotics, art, a slime bar and other engaging experiments. The concept focuses on providing an environment that empowers each child to have fun and explore through hands-on experiences without the pressure of academic evaluation. Offering walk-in experiences, birthday parties and summer camps, Funtastik Labs has become a favorite of countless families and sees a rapid growth trajectory in the coming years.

Sylvan Learning*

• Investment Range: $98,087–$199,582
• Unit Count: 710+

With over 40 years of experience, Sylvan Learning is a prominent provider of personalized education for K-12 students. They use a proven tutoring approach that combines skilled teachers with SylvanSync technology on the iPad to create an engaging learning experience. Sylvan offers STEM and accelerated courses through Sylvan EDGE, as well as college and test prep courses through Sylvan Prep. Sylvan supports families at every stage of the academic journey.

Mathnasium*

• Investment Range: $112,860–$149,155 
• Unit Count: 1,000+

Mathnasium is a math education franchise that provides individualized instruction in a fun and engaging learning environment to help kids catch up and get ahead in math. Instead of relying on memorization and repetition, the franchise focuses on making math fun by customizing for each student, setting the brand apart from other brands on the market. In addition to breaking into a crucial and high-demand industry, Mathnasium owners are positioned to become a community staple to secure a strong return on investment. 

IDEA Lab Kids

• Investment Range: $163,000–$465,000
• Unit Count: 20+

IDEA Lab Kids is an award-winning education franchise that was established to encourage children to explore STEAM subjects. The franchise provides after-school classes, camps, birthday parties and open labs. Positioned as a leader in STEAM education, IDEA Lab Kids has franchises in the US, Canada and internationally.

Kumon

• Investment Range: $67,428–$145,640
• Unit Count: 25,000

Kumon is a franchise that focuses on individualized learning and aims to help students develop strong foundational skills in math and reading. Students progress through the Kumon program at their own pace, starting from a level that matches their current abilities and gradually advancing to more challenging material. Notably, Kumon's franchise fee of just $2,000 is relatively low compared to other opportunities, making it an accessible option for aspiring business owners.

Whether you're drawn to the personalized tutoring offered by Sylvan Learning, the innovative math education provided by Mathnasium or the STEAM-focused programs of IDEA Lab Kids, each of these franchises presents a creative opportunity for success. Whichever path you choose, the education sector offers a rewarding venture that goes beyond financial returns — it's an investment in shaping the future of young minds.