American families will pay nearly 8% more for back-to-school essentials this year, pushing the average cost per student to over £3,000, according to new research. The sharp rise in prices—driven by tariffs, higher energy costs, and lingering inflation—comes as parents prepare for the second-largest shopping season after Christmas.

Why back-to-school costs are rising

A joint analysis by progressive think tank The Century Foundation and advocacy group Groundwork Collaborative found that a typical basket of school supplies, including notebooks, lunch boxes, and index cards, now costs 8% more than in 2025. School lunches have seen an even steeper increase, with prices up 11% year-on-year.

The research estimates families will spend roughly £3,100 per student this academic year, with £175 allocated to supplies and £2,900 to packed lunches. "It’s the second-biggest shopping event of the year, and families are going to be facing a lot of pain," said Lindsay Owens, executive director of Groundwork Collaborative.

Tariffs and global conflicts fuel price hikes

Many school supplies, such as pens, markers, and binders, are manufactured overseas, making them vulnerable to US tariffs. The Century Foundation and Groundwork Collaborative found that steeper import duties have directly increased the cost of items like pencils and glue.

Corporate earnings calls reveal the impact: Newell Brands, maker of Sharpie pens and Elmer’s glue, announced price hikes to offset "sharply higher tariff costs." Logitech, which produces electronics like headsets, cited tariffs for a "sizable" increase in US prices. Meanwhile, Acco Brands—parent company of Mead and Five Star notebooks—blamed rising oil prices, linked to Middle East conflicts, for driving up production costs.

  • Notebooks, binders, and index cards: subject to higher tariffs
  • Pens, markers, and glue: imported, facing steeper duties
  • Electronics like headsets: price increases due to tariffs
  • Packed lunches: 11% more expensive than last year

Families cut back as debt rises

With costs climbing, nearly half of parents surveyed by Credit Karma expect to take on debt to cover back-to-school expenses. Deloitte’s research found that 50% of families plan to reduce household spending elsewhere to afford supplies.

"Parents do what they can to ensure their kids have the essentials," Owens said. "It’s not surprising that families are cutting back to make it work."

While US inflation eased to 3.5% in June, gas prices have since risen again due to renewed Middle East tensions, further squeezing budgets. Experts warn that without relief on tariffs or supply chain costs, the financial strain on families could worsen in the coming months.