Ivy Bound vs Kaplan
Ivy Bound vs Kaplan.
If you’re deciding between Ivy Bound and Kaplan, the real question is usually not “who has a course?” It’s how much live instruction you get, how much support exists outside class, and how accountability is handled. This page puts it side-by-side.
Pricing note: Provider pricing can change. The Kaplan figures below reflect published listings as of Dec 23, 2025. Ivy Bound pricing reflects Ivy Bound’s published store/class listings.
Ivy Bound
18–20h Essentials / 26–28h Premier
Kaplan
SAT Live Online listed at 18h
Private hours
Ivy Bound Premier includes 2 hours
Value
Compare “effective” cost per live hour
Support
Not just a platform login
Timeline
Pick the prep track for your test date
Quick take
Kaplan is a large-scale provider with broad catalog options. Ivy Bound is built around advisor + instructor oversight and higher support density relative to price—especially once you compare beyond “platform access.”
Choose Ivy Bound if you want…
- More accountabilityClear homework expectations, score reviews, and structured pacing.
- Higher-touch supportAdvisor + instructor guidance; Premier includes private hours.
- Value per live hourCompare tuition against live instruction hours and included support.
Choose Kaplan if you want…
- Brand familiarityLarge provider with broad test prep offerings.
- Self-paced entry optionsLower-cost on-demand products for independent learners.
- Platform-first experienceStandardized course structure and digital practice tools.
Compare Ivy Bound vs Kaplan
These tables focus on what families typically care about: total cost, live instruction hours, support density, and what’s actually included.
Pricing & live instruction (SAT & ACT)
Ivy Bound class pricing reflects published program listings. Kaplan pricing reflects published “Live Online” and entry options.
Compare “effective” cost by dividing tuition by live instruction hours (and consider what’s included outside class).
Ivy Bound
Kaplan
| Category | Ivy Bound | Kaplan |
|---|---|---|
| SAT entry option | $48/hr+ (tutoring entry tier) Rate varies by tutor level and engagement type | SAT On Demand: $199 Self-paced product |
| SAT guided live course (headline) | SAT Essentials: $850 18–20 hours live instruction (program listing) | SAT Live Online: $799 18 hours live instruction (published listing) |
| SAT higher-touch live course | SAT Premier: $1,350 26–28 hours live + 2 private tutoring hours included | Higher tiers vary Often positioned as tutoring bundles / premium options |
| ACT entry option | $48/hr+ (tutoring entry tier) Rate varies by tutor level and engagement type | ACT Self-Paced: $179 Self-paced product |
| ACT guided live course (headline) | ACT Essentials: $850 20 hours (program listing) | ACT Live Online: $649 16 hours live instruction (published listing) |
| ACT higher-touch live course | ACT Premier: $1,350 28 hours live + 2 private tutoring hours included | Higher tiers vary Often positioned as tutoring bundles / premium options |
Mobile note: On phones, tables convert into stacked cards automatically.
Support density & what’s included
Where most comparisons go wrong is treating “course access” as equivalent to “support.”
This table separates live instruction from live help, oversight, and practice/test review.
Ivy Bound
Kaplan
| Dimension | Ivy Bound | Kaplan |
|---|---|---|
| Instructor access outside class | High-touch access Live help + advisor/instructor oversight (varies by program and schedule) | Course-dependent Typically includes platform resources and scheduled sessions; support varies by product |
| Private tutoring included | Premier includes 2 private hours Additional tutoring available by tutor tier | Usually separate purchase Tutoring sold as separate packages/bundles |
| Practice tests / test review | Proctored practice + review emphasis Structured practice and score review baked into program flow | Practice tests + QBank Strong platform resources; review structure depends on course and learner consistency |
| Accountability / pacing | Advisor-driven plan + checkpoints Homework expectations and milestone tracking for momentum | Self-managed or standardized Often relies on learner follow-through with platform assignments |
| Best fit | Families who want guided + high accountability Especially helpful when time is limited or motivation is inconsistent | Independent learners who like platform tools Best when the learner reliably completes assigned work |
FAQs
A few practical answers that usually decide this for families.
Often, Kaplan’s entry options (self-paced) are cheaper. For guided live courses, the difference is usually smaller—so the decision becomes
“what support is included” and “how accountable is the plan,” not just tuition.
Compare (1) live instruction hours, (2) whether private tutoring is included, and (3) what happens between sessions
(homework review, test reviews, help sessions, advisor oversight). That “between sessions” support is usually what moves scores.
If your learner is highly independent, self-motivated, and likes platform-driven practice (QBank, videos, drills), Kaplan can work well—
especially for budget-first scenarios.
If you want a tighter plan, clearer accountability, and higher-touch support (especially when motivation fluctuates),
Ivy Bound is typically the better match.
Yes—talk to an advisor and we’ll map your test date, baseline, goal, weekly bandwidth, and recommend the right track and support level.