Kumon vs Tutor Doctor
Kumon vs Tutor Doctor: Kumon costs $73K to $165K to open; Tutor Doctor costs $62K to $150K. Kumon has 1,689 units, Tutor Doctor has 59. SBA loan history: Kumon = 115 loans (7.0% default); Tutor Doctor = 84 loans (27.4% default). The franchise with more SBA funded units, a lower SBA default rate, and a lower royalty load is the safer financing bet; see the comparison below.
Kumon vs Tutor Doctor: Capital, Scale & Lending Analysis
Analysis based on FDD filings and SBA 7(a) loan level data. Each pairing reflects a unique combination of capital intensity, system scale, and financing path.
Capital Intensity
Tutor Doctor requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($62K vs $73K for Kumon), a 18% spread.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Kumon operates 1,689 units to Tutor Doctor's 59, roughly 29× the system size.
SBA Lending Profile
Kumon has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 115 7(a) approvals compared with 84 for Tutor Doctor. Kumon's peak SBA year was 2024 (11 loans); Tutor Doctor's peak was 2017 (18 loans). Kumon's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Kumon has the most SBA funded units in CA, with 16. Tutor Doctor leads in TX, with 13. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Kumon deals is $230K vs $107K for Tutor Doctor, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 7.0% for Kumon and 27.4% for Tutor Doctor, Kumon has the cleaner SBA loss record by 20.4 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 76 (Strong) for Kumon and 32 (Fair) for Tutor Doctor, giving Kumon the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 76/100 | 32/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 115 | 84 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 7.0% | 27.4% |
Peer Tier | major | established |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $73K to $165K | $62K to $150K |
Franchise Fee | $2K | N/A |
Royalty Rate | 6% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | $150K | N/A |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Not Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 1,689 | 59 |
Franchised Units | 1,671 | 59 |
Company Owned | 18 | – |
Term Length | 5 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1958 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 1983 | N/A |
Years Franchising | 43 yrs | N/A |
Headquarters | SAN CLEMENTE, CA | KATY, TX |
Category | Exam Preparation | Exam Preparation |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2026 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Kumon or Tutor Doctor?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Kumon: $73K starting · Tutor Doctor: $62K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Kumon
Kumon: 115 SBA loans · Tutor Doctor: 84 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Kumon
Kumon: 7.0% · Tutor Doctor: 27.4%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Kumon: 1,689 units · Tutor Doctor: 59 units
More lender financing options
Kumon
Kumon: 63 unique lenders · Tutor Doctor: 17 unique lenders
Decision matrix uses publicly disclosed FDD and SBA loan data. Not a recommendation. Your best franchise depends on capital, market, operating capacity, and risk tolerance.
Need Funding for Kumon or Tutor Doctor?
PeerSense connects you with 500+ SBA lenders and capital sources. Our referral fee is established upfront and paid at closing.
SBA Lenders & Capital Sources
Retainers or Consulting Fees
10% Down Franchise Loans
About These Franchises
Kumon vs Tutor Doctor: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Kumon and Tutor Doctor is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $62K to $165K.
Kumon has 115 SBA loans on record and Tutor Doctor has 84. Those totals are cumulative history rather than a measure of current appetite. Recent lending activity is trending down for at least one of these brands, so current lender appetite has to be checked deal by deal rather than assumed from the totals.
SBA 7(a) loans are the most common franchise funding vehicle, offering up to $5M with as little as 10% down. PeerSense connects franchise buyers with the specific lenders who have approved loans for these brands, not generic referrals, but lenders with actual franchise lending track records.
Data sourced from SBA loan records, Franchise Disclosure Documents, and public filings. Updated regularly. Not financial advice, consult with a lending professional before making investment decisions.
Kumon vs Tutor Doctor, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Kumon or Tutor Doctor?
How much does a Kumon franchise cost compared to Tutor Doctor?
Can I finance Kumon or Tutor Doctor with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Kumon or Tutor Doctor?
Talk to PeerSense
Tell us which brand and your budget. We source capital from lenders who have already funded deals in these systems.
Franchise / SBA 7(a): The desk will reach out. No obligation.
Page Review
Reviewed by Edward L. Freeman, Founder and Managing Director, PeerSense
- PeerSense is a capital advisory firm that places commercial financing with direct capital sources; it does not lend, fund, or approve loans, and the capital source sets final terms.
- Edward L. Freeman founded PeerSense in January 2020.
- He is a Registered Franchise Consultant with Business Alliance, Inc., a credential issued in March 2022, and worked as a franchise consultant there from March 2022 to May 2023.
- His recorded experience includes a $22 million SBA construction loan, with about $16 million funded on the deal.
- In the 12 months through September 30, 2026, PeerSense tracked 912 publicly announced financings with a disclosed size of $361.32 billion. PeerSense Capital Data Report · Methodology page
Last reviewed LinkedIn profileAbout Edward Freeman