Is Mathnasium Learning Centers or Imagine Arts Academy cheaper to open?

Mathnasium Learning Centers costs $127,316–$165,846 and Imagine Arts Academy costs $128,331–$167,800 to open (FDD Item 7). Mathnasium Learning Centers has the lower entry cost.

Which is the better franchise, Mathnasium Learning Centers or Imagine Arts Academy?

FranchiseVerdict grades Mathnasium Learning Centers A and Imagine Arts Academy B, from FDD Items 5–7, 19–21 and SBA loan performance. See the full side-by-side above.

Mathnasium Learning Centers vs Imagine Arts Academy

Franchise Comparison 2026

Both Mathnasium Learning Centers and Imagine Arts Academy are education franchises. Mathnasium Learning Centers requires an investment of $127K – $166K while Imagine Arts Academy requires $128K – $168K. Mathnasium Learning Centers discloses average revenue of $385K; Imagine Arts Academy makes no financial performance representation in its Item 19, which is voluntary under the FTC Franchise Rule. Mathnasium Learning Centers has SBA lending data on file with a 2.6% charge-off rate. FranchiseVerdict rates Mathnasium Learning Centers A (Strongest tier) and Imagine Arts Academy B (Above average).

Metric	Mathnasium Learning Centers	Imagine Arts Academy
Verdict Grade	AStrongest tierStrongest tier	BAbove averageAbove average
Investment Range	$127K – $166K	$128K – $168K
Franchise Fee	$49K	$49K
Royalty Rate	10% of monthly Gross Receipts; beginning in the 24th month of Center operation, the greater of the 10% royalty or a $1,500 minimum monthly royalty. Plus a separate $650/month Base Royalty (per franchisee, not per Center) beginning 6 months after signing the first Franchise Agreement.	8.0%
Average Revenue (Item 19)	$385K	N/ANo Item 19 representation
SBA Charge-Off Rate	2.6% (85 loans)	N/A
Total Units	1,047	27
Unit Growth (YoY)	N/A	+6 units
Year Began Franchising	2003	2018
FDD Year	2026	2025

Mathnasium Learning Centers

AStrongest tier

Imagine Arts Academy

BAbove average

Investment Range

$127K – $166K

$128K – $168K

Franchise Fee

$49K

Royalty Rate

10% of monthly Gross Receipts; beginning in the 24th month of Center operation, the greater of the 10% royalty or a $1,500 minimum monthly royalty. Plus a separate $650/month Base Royalty (per franchisee, not per Center) beginning 6 months after signing the first Franchise Agreement.

8.0%

Average Revenue (Item 19)

$385K

N/ANo Item 19 representation

SBA Charge-Off Rate

2.6% (85 loans)

N/A

Total Units

1,047

Unit Growth (YoY)

N/A

+6 units