SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — The National Retail Federation is reporting an increase in the average spending for college students in 2026.
The report says college students are spending an average of $1437.79, the highest average since 2023.
That’s when the spending average was $1,366.95.
The average has remained over $1,000 every year since 2019.
Ozarks First is speaking to students and parents at Missouri State University’s move-in day. We asked if they are feeling that financial pinch and what they’re doing to avoid it.
“I’d definitely say my computer and more of school supplies for my major [are more expensive now]. It was definitely more expensive, like an extra few dollars to maybe $100 extra, and I’m like, where did that come from? I don’t appreciate that,” sophomore Janyah Gregory said.
Missouri school once again named best community college in U.S.
Gregory says living on her own versus having a roommate was an increase she planned for.
“It’s fun here, and I do feel like my money is worth it,” Gregory said.
Incoming freshmen like Grant Orris say they’re noticing higher prices on average, but say many stores are offering student discounts.
“I have noticed the cost of basic school supplies like pencils, pens, papers, notebooks, steadily increased over my high school years and especially this year. The bigger supplies, like a laptop, I didn’t think were too bad,” Orris said.
“It is a little bit daunting to have to tackle all those funds, but I believe I should be able to get them taken care of,” Adeline Riegler said. “I feel like this is silly, but shoes and back-to-school shopping, I felt [that increase] a lot, and with backpacks. You definitely seen that rise compared to what they looked like before.”
“I got a decent amount of scholarships that can help cover some of that cost. I am going to be a teacher, so having to get all the things possible to be able to cover that is necessary,” Gracen Ruble said. “Student discounts helped a lot, but it is a lot like the dorm supplies and all the things that you have to do to fill your dorm and just things that you have to survive with. It was a lot of money.”
Parents like Christy Straight are dropping off their kid at MSU, but Straight did something different when it came to back-to-school shopping.
She did her shopping throughout her daughter’s senior year of high school, and utilized online shopping sites rather than retail box stores.
“Nothing that was out of the ordinary. We had already gotten her laptop the year before, because her Chromebook died. The most expensive thing was possibly mattress topper,” Straight said. “[Right now] we’re getting moving bags and little odds and ends. Cups, plates, shower stuff, bathroom stuff.”
Straight says she has another child in high school and has seen supplies cost more, but she’s buying fewer items.
“I mean, things are getting more expensive, but they’re getting less as they get into high school. They don’t need as much. They don’t need the crayons. They don’t need every single-colored folder that’s out there. I have a senior this year again, so we’ll be doing it again. Right now, we’ve only done her backpack, so, I mean, there’s not a whole lot,” Straight said.
One purchase that stuck out to Straight was similar to a purchase Reigler mentioned: shoes.
“That was probably the most expensive thing that we got for her was her a good pair of walking shoes to walk around campus,” Straight said.
Copyright 2026 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
For the latest news, weather, sports, and streaming video, head to KOLR – OzarksFirst.com.
