Katie Kelton, CCC, Bankrate.com
When it comes to shopping back to school, some of us may lovingly consider a new backpack and a fresh pencil scent. However, Bankrate’s 2025 school shopping survey shows that others may simply see dollar signs.
Stubborn inflation continues to convert nearly one into a shop with three back-to-school shoppers (30%), but in recent years that percentage has fallen, indicating that perhaps Americans are used to paying higher prices.
Ronda Sandel House, senior bankrate account manager in Charlotte, North Carolina, has a long back-to-school shopping list for her three children. In addition to school supplies, they buy some new outfits, backpacks and lunch boxes. “It doesn’t seem to last when packing lunch every day,” she says.
That’s why her family looks for deals and compare prices together.
“I’m also involved in price comparisons and decision-making with regard to (my kids) clothes, shoes and backpacks,” she says.
One category they can skip is electronics. “My kids are young, so the only ‘technology’ needs they have are headphones in general,” she explains. “I usually choose a low-cost pair because kids tend to lose or break things and replace them every year.”
Almost half (49%) of shoppers will adopt a money-saving strategy this fall, from finding cheap brands to budgeting to buying less.
“The cumulative impact of higher prices and higher interest rates still weighs on many households,” says Ted Rothman, senior industry analyst at Bankrates. “Tax concerns have also had a major impact on consumer sentiment.”
Important insights into Bankrate School Shopping
Prices today include nearly one in three back-to-school shoppers rethinking their shopping. 30% of shoppers say they are changing the way they shop because of inflation. This is down from 41% in 2022 and 32% in 2024, indicating that Americans are probably adapting to higher price tags. Compared to 2022, the smaller share of shoppers returning to school makes me feel financially tense next year. 20% of shoppers (from 31% in 2022) feel they are putting a strain on their budgets, while another 11% (from 26% in 2022) feel they are putting pressure on them to spend more than what they are comfortable with. Half of shoppers returning to school have used money-saving strategies this season. Forty-nine percent of shoppers plan to take action, buy cheaper brands, find deals, find budgets, and buy less supplies for the upcoming school year.
Inflation continues to plague shoppers back to school, but not as much as they did in the past few years.
One in three (30%) of shoppers returning to school say that inflation is changing the way they shop. This is down from 32% in 2024 and 41% in 2022 peak inflation.
Inflation is currently at 2.4%, well below the 9% peak in June 2022, but prices are 23.7% higher than before the pandemic. However, our polls show that this isn’t that problematic for shoppers. The Bureau of Labor Statistics does not specifically track school supplies prices, but it can look up prices for several similar categories this year (as of May 2025) and last year.
Stationery, stationery supplies and gift wraps are 4.7% more expensive than last year.
Boys’ apparel is 2.1% more expensive, while girls’ apparel is 1.3% cheaper.
Computers, peripherals and smart home support are 3.5% cheaper. However, computer software and accessories are 6.1% more expensive.
Educational books and supplies are 9.4% more expensive.
One in five shoppers (20%) feel that these costs are down from 31% in 2022, putting pressure on around one shoppers (11%) in 2022 to be comfortable.
More millennials and generations of Zers are shopping back to school than older generations overall. This year, more than one in three US adults (36%) shop back to school for themselves or for children. This includes almost half of millennials (ages 29-44, 49%) and Gen Zers (ages 18-28, 44%). One in three Gen Xers (ages 45-60, 33%) and one in five Boomers (ages 61-79, 21%) will be shopping back to school. Most school-returned shoppers do not ow that this season, 6% of shoppers are planning to take on debt for shopping that has returned this year. “We don’t worry about starting school debts, but we know that many families do,” says Sandelhouse.
Almost half (46%) of Americans have credit card debt, according to Bankrate’s 2025 credit card debt report. However, almost half of these debtors (45%) say it is caused by emergency costs such as car repairs and medical costs. Armed with budget and money saving strategies, it is possible to avoid the return season to this school.
Almost half of shoppers plan to use money-saving methods
Alene Laney, a personal finance writer and mom of five in Provo, Utah, finds creative ways to save money on shopping back to school. Their local public schools provide supplies, but her family is still on hooks for new school clothes, technology, backpacks and more.
“I try to keep costs as low as possible. The additional costs come from the essential household items monthly budget category,” says Laney.
She is almost half (49%) of shoppers returning to school who have adopted one or more of these money-saving strategies in 2025.
A fifth buys cheap brands
20% of shoppers returning to school say they will buy or buy brands that are cheaper than usual, starting from 35% in 2022.
Try choosing a general version of your child’s favorite brand or comparing prices between stores to reduce your budget. “I buy cheap brands for things that don’t matter (paper, binders, scissors),” says Sandelhouse. “I also compare prices on in-store transactions (Target, Walmart) and Amazon Online. Usually, highlighters, expo markers, ironically, you can put a lot of glue sticks and then split between kids.
A fifth of them look for deals
20% find or plan more deals and coupons than they have in the past. However, that is down from 47% in 2022.
With five children, it’s important that Laney and her kids buy what goes on without breaking the bank. “I don’t go to the cheapest brands. I’m trying to get the best quality at the lowest price,” she explains. “That’s why I’m a huge Costco fan. I also shop at all the discount stores, including TJMaxx, Ross, Marshall’s, Burlington Coat Factory.”
Nearly a fifth of the budget will budget for schools
18% have already put their money aside or their shopping budget back in school, down from 33% in 2022.
Budgeting prevents impulse purchases. This is a weakness for many Americans. It also helps you identify other categories that may cost less this season, so you have enough money to go round. You can also start saving for shopping back to school a few months in advance.
Approximately one person will buy school supplies
Compared to 36% in 2022, 16% are purchasing fewer school supplies than in the past few years.
“Consider asking your child’s teacher what is essential on the first day. Your child may not need the whole list anytime soon, and you may be able to use last year’s backpack, folder, pen, pencil, etc.
5 Ways to Save This Back to School Season
Once summer camp is over and schools start sending emails again, there are a few lessons that will help you shop at affordable prices as you’re back here.
Set a budget. A seasonally fluctuating monthly budget allows you to plan your spending in advance at school by withdrawing money from other everyday categories. For example, if you budget $500 for school supplies, you might be able to save $100 by skipping $200 from your family’s meal budget, $200 from entertainment, or expensive snacks, and buying only that month. Create a shopping list. You actually have a list of things you stick to in your hands – you won’t be sucked into buying more than you need, what your kids throw into the cart. The list is based on budgets and recommendations from the school, but also look for ways to reuse supplies from last year. Stack discount. “Combine reward credit cards with store promotions, online shopping portals, and/or card-related offers,” advises Rothman. These small savings can be summed up into a big shopping list. Include your child in the process. Shopping back to school is a way to teach children about budgeting while minimizing quarreling about what to buy. “I put elementary school students in charge of keeping a list of stores and marking what we do,” says Sandelhouse. “We’ll also talk about the brand and price of the items they’re choosing.” When her six-year-old wanted a video game-themed pencil box, he chose to compromise on a more affordable lunchbox. I’m going to shop for second-hand items. Saving clothing and supplies can help reduce prices while supporting the environment, where possible. Laney and her children often shop second hand and re-tiring items. “I’ve always been amazed at the high quality clothes I can indirectly get,” she says. “We are happy to take on the hands and wear the treasures of garden sales.”
Methodology: Bankrate asked YouGov PLC to conduct the investigation. Unless otherwise stated, all numbers are from Yougov plc. The total sample size is 2,616 adults, of which 914 are making purchases that have returned this year, or will they take the time to go? Fieldwork took place between June 2nd and 4th, 2025. The survey was conducted online. The numbers are weighted and represent all American adults (ages 18 and above).
©2025 Bankrate.com. Distributed by Tribune Content Agency, LLC.
