How Much Does It Cost To Become A Taekwondo Black Belt?

What Is the Price of Taekwondo? Education Explanation

The amount of tuition you will have to spend each month to learn in taekwondo for yourself or your child depends on a number of factors. Style, association, the standard of the facilities, and the location are all factors.

The majority of tuition prices are most heavily influenced by location of these categories. In two different cities or towns, the same training and level of facilities can make a significant difference.

The average cost of studying taekwondo in the US during a three-year period is $5400, making tuition by far the most expensive component. A 1st dan black belt takes an average of three years to obtain. In most institutions, this fee covers attendance twice a week.

The area’s income and housing costs have an impact on the retail rental rates for dojang space. The cost of renting spaces for TKD instructors will increase as these two rise. For students, this translates to greater tuition.

There are certain exceptions, but in general, market size and population numbers are directly correlated. Taekwondo tuition rates rise in larger cities because housing costs are greater, retail space costs are higher, and there are typically more affluent demographics there.

Cost Breakdown for Taekwondo Training Tuition Rates

Let’s examine each size of an area to get an idea of what your charges would be as the cost of tuition for Taekwondo schools depends on the area. The average income, housing costs, and retail rental rates in a particular area all have a significant impact on tuition.

In terms of population, we shall examine three sizes:

Costs of Taekwondo Classes in Smaller Cities

The least expensive tuition will be found in these less populated places where the combined population of the town and its environs is less than 100,000. Prices will be between $50 and $100 a month in a neighborhood community center and a retail building, respectively.

Costs of Taekwondo Classes in Large Cities

The cost of tuition increases significantly in cities with populations between 100,000 and 500,000. Additionally, they can vary based on where you are in the city and your income. In general, you should expect to pay between $100 and $200 per month for tuition.

Costs of Taekwondo Classes in Bigger Cities

Remember that not all of these important cities are being discussed here. The majority of low- to low-mid-income locations will have tuition costs in the range of a medium-sized city. Here, we’re referring to urban and suburban locations with greater wages and more expensive real estate. The monthly cost of tuition in these places might range from $250 to more per student.

Association of Taekwondo Membership Fees

The distinction between an association and an organization in the martial arts may not be evident to all.

Believe me, I’ve heard and witnessed some horrifying fleecing, particularly when parents aren’t aware of it. Because they only have incomplete knowledge, some dishonest instructors take advantage of the parents’ desire for the best for their children by charging exorbitant costs.

Membership Fees for the World Taekwondo (WT) Association

World Taekwondo (WT; formerly WTF) charges relatively affordable annual dues for membership and competition eligibility as well as their own brand of certification for dan ranks and now even color belt rankings for member schools or individuals. The majority of the time, students are enrolled through their school, however it is also feasible to register on your own.

What Distinguishes WT From Kukkiwon?

A quick reference for the distinction is provided below:

Expenses for Taekwondo Belt Testing Most disciplines, including Taekwondo, have two different categories for belt testing fees. The instructor of the school or organization, not typically an association, “certifies” color belts. The WT and other federations and associations’ attempts to record them are the exceptions here once more, albeit certification may be a strong word for gup or kup ranks.

To give to students as inexpensive certificates, instructors can purchase “official” association certificates; however, if they purchase these in quantity, the cost to the school is typically much below $1 per certificate. If boards and belts are given, there may be additional costs as well.

I don’t mean to imply that testing costs for color belts are improper, just that they are applied differently than for black belt grades. Since instructors are entitled to compensation, they rely on the proceeds from color belt exams to fund their daily operations.

Just remember where the money is going with the fee so you can watch out for overcharging.

Black Belt Exam Fee for Taekwondo

On the other hand, the instructor often does not retain all of the black belt testing expenses for taekwondo. In the majority of cases, associations keep track of students who achieve the dan rank levels and charge fees for doing so.

Taekwondo students often pay $500 for a 1st dan black belt exam, which includes the new belt, a unique diploma, boards to break, and perhaps even a new uniform. The exam fee increases with each dan rank above the first dan level.

In some cases, the certificate that is presented to the student must also be bought from them. These might be better, and the pricing will reflect that.

How are these fees structured in some of the largest Taekwondo federations and associations?

Testing Fees for Black Belts in Kukkiwon (WT)

Another location where you can place a bet is here. The WT’s certification division is called Kukkiwon. Along with instructors, teachers, referees, and other competition authorities, they register all legal black belts in the organization.

The South Korean Kukkiwon headquarters demands a fee to become a black belt in the WT. The paying instructor, not the enrolling student, is responsible for this cost. According to the dan rank, the student often pays the teacher $500 or more for the assessment and certification.

I’ll say it again: I’m not saying a markup is illegal. These companies have costs, risks, and all the other characteristics of small businesses. This is merely to inform you and let you know that something is wrong if you hear of a $800 or $1000 black belt testing price.

The costs that teachers forwarded to Kukkiwon in order to certify pupils as dan level black belts in the WT are listed below.

Fees for ATA Black Belt Testing

Black belt testing fees are determined by the instructor and ultimately determined by the market they are in, much as the charges connected with the ITF. As part of the certification procedure, some parts are shipped to the ATA headquarters.

ATA Taekwondo charges between $150 and $500 for a black belt exam, based on the rank of black belt desired and the location of the institution. Other expenses in the ATA include the black belt aspirants’ preparatory curriculum known as Black Belt Camp.

The ATA is known for being a family-run institution, and instructors occasionally give family discounts on testing costs if more than one member of the family is taking the exam.

Black Belt Testing Fees for Independent Taekwondo Association
The cost of testing varies greatly for schools that are a part of independent federations. Some increase tuition and add testing, while others add a fee for each test.

Some institutions charge $500 or more, while others only charge for supplies like belts, boards, and certificates. When referring to independent or tiny organisations and schools, there isn’t truly a norm.

What Does TaeKwonDo Equipment Cost?

To be honest, many parents are shocked by this. These foam cushions can be quite a little more expensive than people anticipate. They occasionally exist, such as when the ATA is bundled with the first membership, but they are typically few in number and of low quality.

The majority of Taekwondo sparring equipment will run you about $300 for a full set. These kits might come with a mouthpiece, a helmet, a chest protection, hand and foot padding, etc. The shin, elbow, and forearm pads are a few more. Sports fans are typically extra and up to the student to get.

Sparring equipment is required for almost all Taekwondo tournaments in almost every organisation, however the specific components and types vary. Even in the majority of dojangs, this equipment is required for even minor contact sparring (TKD training hall).

When deciding whether to let your child or even yourself participate in these activities, use caution. Some are professionally run real events, while others are money-grabbing opportunities that can make you or your child lose interest in the sport as a whole.

The ones supported by the WT are often well-regulated and focus more on international competitiveness. About the majority of the other groups, this may be said with a higher degree of hit-and-miss. WTF schools are more careful about how competitions are organized because they are associated with the Olympics.

This is not to imply that other organizations don’t host competitive events that are reasonably priced. This is highly probable. Just be aware that, similar to many activities, the more you participate, the higher the prospective expense may be.

Does Taekwondo merit the cost?

It costs a lot of money to train you or your child in this manner. This takes the shape of both your money and your time. So, does it all end up being worthwhile? Does Taekwondo merit the cost?

If one does not have inflated hopes for the sport of taekwondo, the investment is worthwhile. Taekwondo is a sport-kick-based martial art that is excellent for children, teenagers, and even entire families for exercise, creativity, and fundamental self-defense. If other objectives are forced on taekwondo, it may be a waste of time and money.