Full Breakdown
Back-to-School Supply Costs Surge in 2026
8/23/2026, 8:12:55 PM
Rising Prices and Their Drivers
A new analysis by the Groundwork Collaborative and The Century Foundation finds the average school-supply list now costs nearly $175—about 8 % higher than in 2025. Essential items such as lunch boxes, notebooks and tissues have risen 20 % or more, while headphones are up 6.6 % and typical lunch items 10.9 % more. The report links these hikes to President Donald Trump’s tariff agenda, which the Federal Reserve says has lifted the price of many imported goods, and to higher gas and food prices tied to the ongoing war in Iran. Major brands cite the same pressures: Newell Brands raised prices to offset more than $170 million in tariff costs, and ACCO Brands warned of “additional cost increases globally” in a July earnings call.
Impact on Parents and Teachers
Parents are feeling the squeeze. A Credit Karma survey shows 57 % of parents start the school year with credit-card debt, and a NerdWallet poll finds 62 % plan to hunt for sales while 72 % say supplies feel noticeably pricier than a year ago. Brandi McGrath, 48, of Salt Lake City, described paying $2.79 for a basic folder versus $1 the previous year. Families are forgoing purchases, seeking donations, or buying the cheapest alternatives. Teachers face similar pressures; many receive only a $200 annual classroom-supply allowance, prompting teachers like the third-grade educator in Perryville, Kentucky, to solicit online donations.
Official Statements and Industry Response
ACCO Brands’ president and CEO Thomas Tedford confirmed the company expects further global cost increases. Newell Brands and other manufacturers attribute their price hikes to the combined effect of tariffs, higher fuel costs, and supply-chain disruptions.
Verbatim Quotes
- “It’s insane how expensive things have gotten,” — Brandi McGrath, 48, of Salt Lake City
- “There’s all sorts of balancing I have to do now,” — Brandi McGrath, 48, of Salt Lake City
- “We do anticipate having to push through additional cost increases globally,” — Thomas Tedford, president and CEO of ACCO Brands, in an earning call in July
- “Families continue to face rising costs for school supplies, while teachers regularly encounter students who arrive without the basic materials they need to learn,” — Joan Perry, a spokesperson for the foundation
- “That’s like one tank of gas for my truck,” — Jarrett Peavler, of Perryville, Kentucky
