With schools across the United States gradually reopening, parents are experiencing unprecedented financial pressure. According to a recent research report released by The Century Foundation, a policy research organization, the overall cost of back-to-school season in America has sharply risen to an average of $4,000 per child, representing a significant 10.7% increase from last year.
The detailed survey data for the 2026-2027 school year conducted by The Century Foundation revealed significant growth in various core back-to-school expenses, with a particular impact on daily stationery supplies and household dining expenditures.
The costs of stationery supplies including backpacks, notebooks, pencil cases, and classroom essentials increased by 7.7% compared to the previous school year. As the costs of food supply chains and ingredients themselves have risen, the expenses for parents to prepare school lunches and daily meals for their children surged by 10.9%.
Considering all related expenses, the comprehensive back-to-school cost per child has reached $4,000, marking an overall increase of 10.7%.
Experts point out that for families with multiple school-aged children, the expenses during the back-to-school season alone could easily surpass tens of thousands of dollars, forcing many parents to dip into their savings or cut budgets for other essential items.
Adding to the woes of many families, besides the surge in market prices, policy changes have further weakened the resilience of low-income families.
The research by The Century Foundation specifically emphasizes that current federal policy adjustments are seriously jeopardizing the eligibility of many impoverished and low-income children for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), also known as food stamps, while putting at risk the reduction or cancellation of the free lunches commonly provided by schools.
Former Consumer Protection Bureau Director Lorelai Salas, speaking on the “PIX on Politics Daily” program, remarked that these federal policy changes will directly shift more economic pressure onto parents.
Families who previously relied on free school lunches to ease their burdens now not only face rising supermarket food prices but also have to dig into their pockets to prepare every meal for their children, leaving financially tight families unable to make ends meet.
Faced with the hefty burden of $4,000 per child, Director Salas urges parents to maintain rationality in managing back-to-school season expenses and utilize strategies to reduce costs:
1. Make a strict list and consume rationally: Avoid being lured by retailers’ back-to-school season promotions, only purchase items that are clearly required by the school or genuinely needed.
2. Make use of tax-free weekends and government subsidies: Pay attention to the tax-free back-to-school shopping weekends offered by various states and local governments, and actively seek out free stationery distribution resources from community organizations.
3. Advocate for consumer rights: Be vigilant of potential price fraud or false advertising in the market and protect your legitimate rights.