Best 20 Back to School Deals for Americans

Back to school shopping season sneaks up fast, and prices on everything from backpacks to laptops seem to climb every single year. If you’re trying to outfit your kids (or yourself, if you’re heading back to college) without blowing your budget, you’re in the right place. This guide breaks down the best back to school deals Americans can actually use right now, from major retailer sales to tax-free weekends to cash back tricks that stack extra savings on top of already-discounted items.

In this article, you’ll learn where to find the biggest discounts on electronics, clothing, school supplies, and dorm essentials. You’ll also get practical tips on timing your purchases, using coupon apps, and avoiding common mistakes that cost families hundreds of dollars every August. Whether you’re shopping for a kindergartner or a college freshman, there’s something here for you.

Why Back to School Deals Matter More Than Ever

The National Retail Federation has reported that the average family spends well over $850 per child on back to school shopping, covering clothes, shoes, electronics, and supplies. That number has climbed steadily due to inflation, higher tech costs, and longer school supply lists. As a result, families who shop strategically during sale windows can save hundreds of dollars compared to those who wait until the last week of August.

In addition, retailers know that back to school is the second-biggest shopping season of the year, right behind the winter holidays. This means competition drives real discounts, not just marketing gimmicks. However, the deals only work in your favor if you know when and where to look, which is exactly what this guide covers.

If you want an even deeper dive into seasonal pricing trends, check out our companion piece, Best 20 Back to School Deals for Americans in 2025, which breaks down specific retailer calendars and forecasted price drops.

The Best 20 Back to School Deals for Americans

Below are the twenty deals and shopping strategies that consistently deliver the most value each year. These are organized by category so you can jump straight to what you need.

1. Walmart’s Back to School Rollbacks

Walmart typically launches rollback pricing on school supplies starting in mid-July, undercutting many competitors on basics like notebooks, glue sticks, and crayons. Their in-store discounts often stack with digital coupons and cashback offers through the Walmart app, so shoppers who plan ahead can knock an extra 10 to 15 percent off already reduced prices. Walmart also tends to price-match major competitors, which means you can use their rollback as a baseline and then ask for a match if you spot a lower price elsewhere. The best time to shop these rollbacks is during the first two weeks after they launch, since popular items like binders and backpacks sell out quickly once school districts release their supply lists.

2. Target Circle Back to School Bundles

Target’s loyalty program, Target Circle, becomes especially valuable during back to school season. Members regularly receive 20 to 30 percent off bundled supply kits, and Target frequently partners with popular brands to create exclusive backpack and lunchbox collections that are not available anywhere else. The retailer also runs a well-known price match guarantee against Amazon, Walmart, and Best Buy, so if you find a lower advertised price, you can often get it matched at checkout. Combining a Target Circle offer with a RedCard discount, which knocks an additional 5 percent off nearly every purchase, is one of the most reliable ways to stretch a school shopping budget.

3. Amazon’s Back to School Sale Event

Amazon typically runs a dedicated back to school sales event in late July or early August, featuring markdowns on electronics, dorm furniture, backpacks, and even textbooks. Prime members get early access to lightning deals, and Amazon’s “Subscribe & Save” option can shave extra percentage points off recurring purchases like notebook paper or printer ink. Because Amazon’s pricing algorithm changes frequently, it pays to use browser extensions or price-tracking tools to confirm you are getting a genuine discount rather than an inflated “before” price. If you are shopping for a college student rather than a K-12 child, Amazon’s dorm essentials storefront is worth a dedicated look, since it often bundles storage bins, bedding, and small appliances at a combined discount.

4. Staples’ Penny Deals and Loss Leaders

Staples has built a cult following around its weekly “penny deals,” where select school supplies like scissors, pocket folders, or highlighters are sold for as little as one cent after an online coupon or rewards redemption. These items are intentionally priced as loss leaders to drive foot traffic, so quantities are limited and deals usually reset weekly throughout July and August. Signing up for Staples Rewards is essential, since many of these promotions are only available to members and require clipping a digital coupon before checkout. Even outside the penny deals, Staples routinely discounts backpacks, calculators, and printers by 30 to 50 percent during peak back to school weeks.

5. Office Depot and OfficeMax Supply Bundles

Office Depot and OfficeMax, which operate under the same parent company, frequently offer pre-assembled supply kits based on grade level, which can save parents significant time compared to shopping item by item. These bundles are usually priced 15 to 25 percent below buying each item separately, and many locations allow you to customize the kit slightly at checkout. The chain also offers a rewards program that provides bonus points during back to school season, which can later be redeemed for discounts on printing, ink, or tech accessories. Checking their weekly ad before shopping ensures you catch limited-time doorbuster prices on items like graphing calculators, which are often the single most expensive item on a middle or high schooler’s supply list.

6. Best Buy’s Student Laptop Discounts

Best Buy typically launches a back to school tech sale in late July, offering discounts on laptops, tablets, and noise-canceling headphones that are especially useful for students heading into hybrid or in-person classrooms. Their student deals section often includes free software bundles, extended warranty discounts, and trade-in credit for old devices, which can significantly offset the cost of a new machine. If a laptop purchase is on your shopping list this year, our detailed breakdown in Best 20 Laptop Deals Available Right Now (Budget to Premium) covers specific models and price points across every budget tier, from Chromebooks for elementary students to premium ultrabooks for college freshmen.

7. Apple’s Education Store Pricing

Apple maintains a dedicated education store that offers discounted pricing on MacBooks, iPads, and AirPods for students, parents purchasing on behalf of students, and school staff. While the discounts are modest compared to some third-party retailers, Apple sweetens the deal every year with a free pair of AirPods or a gift card when you purchase a qualifying Mac or iPad during their back to school promotional window, which usually runs from mid-June through September. Because Apple products rarely go on sale otherwise, this is genuinely one of the only times of year to get meaningful savings directly from the manufacturer rather than relying on third-party retailers.

8. Old Navy’s Backpack and Clothing Clearance

Old Navy is known for aggressive clothing discounts leading into the school year, often running buy-one-get-one-50-percent-off promotions on jeans, graphic tees, and layering pieces. Their backpack and lunchbox selection also goes on clearance in early August as new fall styles arrive, which is the ideal window to grab last season’s designs at half price. Signing up for their email list typically unlocks an additional 20 percent off your first purchase, which stacks nicely with existing clearance pricing for families outfitting more than one child.

9. Kohl’s Cash Stacking Strategy

Kohl’s has one of the most rewarding loyalty structures in retail thanks to Kohl’s Cash, which is earned in $10 increments for every $50 spent and can be redeemed on a future purchase. During back to school season, savvy shoppers combine a storewide sale, a Kohl’s Cash redemption, and a Kohl’s Card discount to bring effective savings well above 50 percent on clothing and shoes. The key is timing your purchases so that Kohl’s Cash redemption windows overlap with new sale cycles, effectively letting you shop twice for the price of one.

10. Nike and Adidas Back to School Shoe Sales

Athletic shoe brands like Nike and Adidas typically discount previous-season sneaker styles by 30 to 40 percent right before school starts, making this one of the best windows all year to buy durable, name-brand shoes for growing kids. Outlet stores and official brand apps often list additional member-exclusive discounts that are not visible on the general retail site, so it is worth checking both channels before committing to a purchase. Because kids’ shoe sizes change quickly, buying slightly ahead of trend during a sale rather than waiting for a specific style can result in meaningful long-term savings.

11. Costco’s Bulk School Supply Deals

Costco is an underrated back to school destination for families with multiple children, since buying supplies in bulk, such as boxes of pencils, packs of folders, or multi-packs of glue sticks, often works out to a fraction of the per-unit cost at a standard retailer. Costco also periodically features discounted multi-packs of backpacks or lunch bags bundled with insulated water bottles, which can cover two or three kids in a single purchase. Because Costco does not run traditional weekly sales, checking their monthly coupon book is essential to catch limited-time back to school markdowns before they expire.

12. Dick’s Sporting Goods Deals on Gear and Shoes

For families juggling both academic supplies and fall sports registration, Dick’s Sporting Goods runs a back to school sale that overlaps nicely with the start of youth sports seasons. Cleats, backpacks designed for athletes, and performance apparel are commonly discounted 25 to 40 percent, and their ScoreCard rewards program often issues bonus points redeemable during this exact shopping window. This is a smart one-stop option if your child needs both classroom supplies and sports equipment before the first week of school.

13. JCPenney’s Back to School Clothing Push

JCPenney continues to compete aggressively in the back to school clothing category, often running “doorbuster” style events with extra percentage-off codes stackable on top of clearance pricing. Their private-label clothing lines are typically durable and reasonably priced even before a discount, which makes them a good option for families who need multiple outfits without stretching the budget on brand names. Checking their coupon page before checkout is essential, since JCPenney rarely advertises its best codes directly on product pages.

14. State Sales Tax Holidays

One of the most overlooked back to school savings tools is the sales tax holiday offered by many states each year, typically in late July or early August. During these designated weekends, states like Texas, Florida, Tennessee, and Ohio waive sales tax on qualifying school supplies, clothing, and sometimes computers, which can mean an automatic 6 to 9 percent discount depending on your local tax rate. Because eligibility rules vary by state, such as price caps per item, it is worth checking your state’s official tax authority website before shopping so you do not miss the qualifying window or purchase limits.

15. Bed Bath & Beyond and Target Dorm Essentials Sales

For families sending a student off to college for the first time, dorm essentials can add up quickly once you factor in bedding, storage, and small appliances. Both Bed Bath & Beyond and Target run dedicated dorm sale events in July and August, often bundling twin XL sheet sets, mini fridges, and desk organizers at a combined discount that beats buying each item separately. Registering for a dorm essentials list through either retailer can also unlock exclusive coupons and free shipping thresholds that are not available to general shoppers.

16. Student Discounts on Software Subscriptions

Beyond physical supplies, software costs are an increasingly large part of the back to school budget, especially for high school and college students who need access to programs like Microsoft Office or Adobe Creative Cloud. Both companies offer verified student pricing that can cut subscription costs by 40 to 60 percent compared to standard consumer plans, and many universities provide free access to these tools through campus licensing agreements. It is worth checking your school’s IT department page before paying full price, since a surprising number of students are eligible for free or heavily discounted software they never knew was available.

17. Stacking Cash Back Apps for Extra Savings

Regardless of where you shop, using a cash back app alongside an existing sale can add another layer of savings on top of retailer discounts. Apps that offer cash back on categories like clothing, electronics, and office supplies effectively act as a rebate on money you were already going to spend. If you are not already using one of these tools, our guide to the Best 20 Cash Back Apps Americans Use in 2025 breaks down which apps offer the strongest back to school category bonuses and how to activate them before checkout.

18. Credit Card Rotating Category Bonuses

Several major credit cards rotate quarterly bonus categories that frequently align with back to school shopping, offering 5 percent cash back on purchases at office supply stores, department stores, or select big-box retailers during the third quarter of the year. Activating these bonus categories, which is usually free and takes less than a minute through your card’s app, can meaningfully offset the cost of a large supply run without changing where or how you shop. Just be sure to pay off the balance in full each month, since any interest charges will quickly cancel out the rewards earned.

19. Bulk Teacher and Classroom Supply Discounts

Many major retailers offer special bulk pricing or “buy nine, get one free” style promotions specifically for teachers stocking their own classrooms, and these deals are often open to parents willing to buy in bulk for a classroom donation or a homeschool setting. Office Depot, Michaels, and Staples all run teacher appreciation discounts during back to school season, typically requiring a simple sign-up for a free rewards or educator account. Even if you are not a teacher, some of these bulk discounts apply broadly enough that a family with several children in different grades can benefit from the lower per-unit pricing.

20. Secondhand and Thrift Store Backpacks and Clothing

Rounding out the list, thrift stores and consignment shops remain one of the most underrated back to school resources, particularly for growing kids who outgrow backpacks, jackets, and shoes within a single school year. Many secondhand stores see a fresh inventory surge in late summer as families clean out closets before the new school year, which means better selection and lower prices than shopping earlier in the season. Combining a thrift store run for basics with a targeted retail purchase for higher-use items like a primary backpack or winter coat is a practical way to balance cost and durability.

How to Maximize Your Back to School Savings

Knowing where the deals are is only half the equation. Getting the most out of back to school season also comes down to timing and strategy. Start by making a detailed list broken down by category, clothing, electronics, and classroom supplies, since mixing categories often causes shoppers to overspend on impulse items that were never on the original list. Next, track sale calendars for two or three of your most-used retailers rather than trying to monitor everything at once, since spreading your attention too thin usually means missing the best individual price drops.

It also helps to separate needs from wants early in the process. A functional backpack that will survive a full school year is worth paying slightly more for, while trendy items with a short shelf life are better bought during deep clearance rather than at full price. Finally, do not underestimate the power of waiting. While early shopping locks in supply availability, prices on clothing and electronics often drop further in the final two weeks before school starts, as retailers work to clear remaining seasonal inventory.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

One of the biggest mistakes families make is shopping without a price-tracking habit, which leads to paying full price for something that would have been 20 percent cheaper a week later. Another common error is ignoring loyalty programs entirely, since many of the deals on this list require free membership sign-ups that take less than two minutes but unlock meaningful percentage-off savings. Overbuying is also a frequent issue, particularly with school supplies, since many districts specify exact brands or quantities that differ from what a generic bulk pack provides. Finally, waiting until the absolute last week before school starts can backfire, since popular sizes and styles in clothing and backpacks frequently sell out even when prices are still favorable.

Frequently Asked Questions

When do back to school deals usually start?

Most major retailers begin rolling out back to school promotions in mid-to-late June, with the deepest discounts typically appearing between mid-July and the third week of August, depending on regional school start dates.

What is the single best time to buy school supplies?

The two weeks immediately following a state’s sales tax holiday tend to offer the strongest combination of low prices and decent inventory, since retailers often extend or layer additional discounts on top of the tax savings.

Do sales tax holidays apply to online purchases?

In most states that offer a sales tax holiday, the exemption applies to both in-store and online purchases as long as the order is placed and, in many cases, delivered within the qualifying date range, though rules vary by state.

so it is worth double-checking your specific state’s guidelines before assuming online orders automatically qualify.

Is it better to buy electronics early or wait until closer to school starting?

Electronics, especially laptops, often see their steepest discounts during dedicated back to school tech sales in July, but waiting until Labor Day sales in early September can sometimes yield even deeper markdowns if you do not need the device immediately.

How can I stack multiple discounts on a single purchase?

The most effective approach is combining a retailer’s advertised sale price with a loyalty program discount, a cash back app activation, and a rotating credit card bonus category, since each of these operates independently and can be layered on the same transaction in most cases.

Final Thoughts

Back to school shopping does not have to drain a family’s budget if you approach it with a plan rather than reacting to whatever sale pops up first. By spreading purchases across the retailers and strategies covered in this guide, tracking sales tax holidays, and stacking rewards programs with cash back tools, most families can realistically cut their total back to school spending by 20 to 40 percent compared to shopping without a strategy. Start early, stay organized, and treat each of these twenty deals as a checklist rather than a single solution, and you will head into the new school year with everything you need and money left over in your pocket.