Lightbridge Academy vs Tutor Time
Lightbridge Academy vs Tutor Time: Lightbridge Academy costs $590K to $3.1M to open; Tutor Time costs $98K to $751K. Lightbridge Academy has 43 units, Tutor Time has 80. SBA loan history: Lightbridge Academy = 50 loans (0.0% default); Tutor Time = 108 loans (12.0% 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.
Lightbridge Academy vs Tutor Time: 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 Time requires the lower minimum capital commitment ($98K vs $590K for Lightbridge Academy), a 502% spread. Initial franchise fees come in at $50K for Lightbridge Academy versus $55K for Tutor Time, Lightbridge Academy has the lower entry fee.
System Scale & Tenure
On scale, Tutor Time operates 80 units to Lightbridge Academy's 43.
SBA Lending Profile
Tutor Time has the deeper SBA lending track record, with 108 7(a) approvals compared with 50 for Lightbridge Academy. Lightbridge Academy's peak SBA year was 2019 (11 loans); Tutor Time's peak was 1997 (15 loans). Lightbridge Academy's more recent peak generally indicates fresher lender appetite. Lightbridge Academy has the most SBA funded units in NJ, with 14. Tutor Time leads in NY, with 21. Borrowers should pick the brand whose strongest SBA state matches their own state for warmer lender introductions. Average SBA loan size on funded Lightbridge Academy deals is $1.5M vs $282K for Tutor Time, useful as a sizing anchor when modeling your own unit.
Risk Signal
SBA default rates are 0.0% for Lightbridge Academy and 12.0% for Tutor Time, Lightbridge Academy has the cleaner SBA loss record by 12.0 points. PeerSense FPI scores come in at 71 (Strong) for Lightbridge Academy and 27 (Fair) for Tutor Time, giving Lightbridge Academy the stronger composite signal across SBA performance, lender appetite, and operational consistency.
Health & Performance
FPI Score | 71/100 | 27/100 |
Health Tier | Strong | Limited |
Confidence | N/A | N/A |
Lending Trend | Stable | Declining |
SBA Lending
SBA Loans | 50 | 108 |
SBA Volume | – | – |
Default Rate | 0.0% | 12.0% |
Peer Tier | established | major |
Investment & Costs
Total Investment | $590K to $3.1M | $98K to $751K |
Franchise Fee | $50K | $55K |
Royalty Rate | 7% | N/A |
Ad Fund | 2% | N/A |
Liquid Capital | N/A | N/A |
Net Worth Required | N/A | $200K |
Financial Performance (Item 19)
Item 19 Status | Disclosed | Not Disclosed |
System Size & Operations
Total Units | 43 | 80 |
Franchised Units | 43 | 80 |
Company Owned | – | – |
Term Length | 15 yrs | N/A |
Brand Information
Year Founded | 1997 | N/A |
Franchising Since | 2011 | 1960 |
Years Franchising | 15 yrs | 66 yrs |
Headquarters | HOBOKEN, NJ | CONGERS, NY |
Category | Child Day Care Services | Child Day Care Services |
Website | ||
FDD Year | 2025 | N/A |
Which Is Better, Lightbridge Academy or Tutor Time?
Lower upfront capital required
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: $590K starting · Tutor Time: $98K starting
More SBA lender confidence
Tutor Time
Lightbridge Academy: 50 SBA loans · Tutor Time: 108 SBA loans
Lower SBA default rate
Lightbridge Academy
Lightbridge Academy: 0.0% · Tutor Time: 12.0%
Larger system & brand presence
Tie
Lightbridge Academy: 43 units · Tutor Time: 80 units
More lender financing options
Tutor Time
Lightbridge Academy: 16 unique lenders · Tutor Time: 45 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.
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About These Franchises
Lightbridge Academy vs Tutor Time: Franchise Funding Comparison
Comparing Lightbridge Academy and Tutor Time is about more than brand preference. It's about which franchise fits your financial profile and funding strategy. Investment ranges from $98K to $3.1M.
Lightbridge Academy has 50 SBA loans on record and Tutor Time has 108. 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.
Lightbridge Academy vs Tutor Time, Frequently Asked Questions
Which is a better franchise investment, Lightbridge Academy or Tutor Time?
How much does a Lightbridge Academy franchise cost compared to Tutor Time?
Can I finance Lightbridge Academy or Tutor Time with an SBA loan?
Which has a lower SBA default rate, Lightbridge Academy or Tutor Time?
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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; 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