Back-to-School Spending Hits Record as Families Budget 864 Dollars Per K-12 Student
Families plan to spend an average of $863.86 per K-12 student on back-to-school shopping in 2026, a record high. College shoppers expect to spend over $1,400. Rising costs for supplies, clothing, and electronics are driving the increase as inflation remains elevated.
Families plan to spend an average of $863.86 per K-12 student on back-to-school shopping in 2026, a record high, according to consumer spending data released in August.
College shoppers expect to spend even more, with average planned spending exceeding $1,400 per student. The figures reflect rising costs for school supplies, clothing, electronics, and dorm furnishings as inflation remains elevated above the Federal Reserve's 2 percent target.
The record spending comes as families are already managing higher costs across housing, food, and insurance. Mortgage rates have remained near 6.58 percent throughout the summer, limiting relief for homeowners and prospective buyers. Insurance premiums have continued to climb, adding to household financial pressure.
The back-to-school season is one of the largest retail events of the year, second only to the winter holiday period. Retailers including Target, Walmart, and Amazon have been running promotions since late July to capture early shoppers.
Consumer spending data shows that families are prioritizing technology purchases, with laptops and tablets among the top items on shopping lists for both K-12 and college students. Clothing and footwear remain significant categories, though some families report cutting back on discretionary items to manage overall costs.
The elevated spending figures come despite persistent concerns about household finances. U.S. credit card debt hit $1.26 trillion earlier this year, and the New York Fed reported that approximately 2.6 million student loan borrowers were transferred to the Department of Education's Default Resolution Group in the first quarter of 2026.
