From laptops and new shoes to dorm furnishings and personal care products, Nevada households are preparing for an academic year expected to generate record spending amid higher prices across both the K–12 and college markets.
The Retail Association of Nevada (RAN) projects that families will spend $374.8 million preparing K–12 students and another $174.7 million on college-related purchases, putting the combined statewide total above $549.5 million.
Nationally, back-to-school and back-to-college spending is forecast to reach a record $146.8 billion, according to the National Retail Federation (NRF).
Affordability is top of mind for shoppers this year as 61 percent of consumers indicated they are seeing higher prices on back-to-school items, according to the NRF.
In response, 46 percent of shoppers are comparing prices cross stores, while 41 percent plan to shop at discount stores.
Other ways consumers are staying on budget include looking for coupons or sales (38 percent), buying fewer items overall (38 percent) as well as purchasing from a different brand that they would normally prefer (30 percent). The NRF also noted several economic factors affecting spending this year. As of April, the national savings rate was 3.0 percent, well below the long-term average of 8.4 percent. Additionally, the bottom 80 percent of households by income level have experienced flat or shrinking growth in their savings accounts and other liquid assets over the past three years.
“Nevada families are facing real pressures at the checkout counter this year, having to make tough choices and stretch every dollar to ensure their kids walk through the school doors with everything they need.
“With K-12 households projected to spend an average of $864, contributing to a record $374.8 million statewide total, parents are hunting for sales, buying in bulk, and switching brands due to rising costs in our state that have made essential items like electronics, clothing, and basic classroom supplies harder to afford,” said Bryan Wachter, President of the Retail Association of Nevada.
Early back‑to‑school shopping is already underway, with 62 percent of families starting in early July, a pace that’s slightly slower than last year but far ahead of 2024. Shoppers are motivated by affordability concerns, prompting many to begin early so they can hunt for deals, stretch their budgets, and avoid last‑minute price spikes.
Retailers are responding with strong promotions and convenient shopping options, and families are taking advantage – more than half reported using major June sales events such as Prime Day and Walmart Deals to get a head start on school purchases.
Nationwide, spending for students in elementary school through high school is expected to reach a record $43.3 billion, up 9.9 percent from $39.4 billion last year. The average K–12 household plans to spend approximately $864, up 0.8 percent from last year.
In Nevada, families preparing K–12 students are projected to spend $374.8 million, a 3.6 percent increase from last year and a new high. Electronics remain the largest component of the school-shopping budget, followed by clothing and accessories, shoes and traditional classroom supplies.
Together, these purchases reflect the increasingly broad cost of preparing students for the classroom, extending well beyond notebooks, backpacks and other basic supplies.
Back-to-college spending is rising even more sharply nationally. College students and their families are expected to spend $103.5 billion, a 16.6 percent annual increase and the first time the NRF survey has placed college spending above $100 billion.
Average planned spending is approximately $1,438 per household, up 8.4 percent from $1,326 last year. Electronics remain the largest spending category, followed by dorm or apartment furnishings, clothing, food and personal-care products.
In Nevada, college-related purchases are projected to reach a record $174.7 million, representing an 8.9 percent increase and statewide high. Electronics are again expected to lead spending, while furnishings, apparel, food and personal-care products will account for substantial portions of college budgets.
Online shopping remains the favored choice for both K-12 (50 percent) and college shoppers (41 percent). Other popular shopping locations for K-12 families include department stores (47 percent), discount stores (44 percent), and clothing stores (39 percent). College families similarly favor discount stores (33 percent), department stores (33 percent), and college bookstores (25 percent).
The new year begins Monday, August 17 in Douglas County, Tuesday, August 18 for the Carson City School District and Wednesday, August 19 in Lyon County. Fall instruction at the University of Nevada, Reno begins Monday, August 24 and Western Nevada College on Monday, August 31.
