Back-to-School Shopping: What to Know Before Hitting the Stores

For 2026, back-to-school spending for grades K-12 is expected to hit an average of $863, up slightly from 2025, and a record $1,400 for college students.

But before you go shopping, NBC’s Christine Romans stops by TODAY to share ways to save, including offerings from Walmart, Target, Staples and Amazon. She also shares strategies for comparing prices, buying refurbished tech and more.