America's Back-to-College Shopping List

According to the National Retail Federation, U.S. college students (and their families) are expected to spend a total of $55 billion in preparation for the new academic year starting in late August/early September. But what are they spending all that money on? Are school supplies really that costly these days?

The following chart shows the average back-to-college shopping list for households of college student in 2018. According to the NRF’s finding, electronics, clothing & accessories and dorm room furnishings are the biggest items on the list, amounting to more than half of the average total spending per household.