The news: More than one-third (38%) of parents are stressed about affording back-to-school items, per Zip’s back-to-school survey.

• On average, families are spending $466 for the 2025 back-to-school season.
• 60% of families are preparing to spend more than last year.
• 36% admit to blowing their budgets. 

K12 to college: Families with multiple student-aged children are feeling the strain the most.

• Tech buys are eating up budgets: College parents are allocating nearly half (46%) of their budgets to new tech, with elementary school parents following closely behind at 39%. 
• Boarding materials like bed linens and storage bins are driving up spend for both groups, at 37% and 25%, respectively.