Back-to-school shopping in 2025 is a $40 billion industry, but families can still find serious savings. The cheapest back-to-school deals this year come from big-name retailers—especially Walmart—offering deep discounts on essential supplies. Whether you’re prepping for elementary or high school, shopping smart can stretch your budget further.
Walmart offers the cheapest school supply basket nationwide
Walmart is the most affordable option across the country. A full basket of school supplies costs just $105.88, which is 18.4% cheaper than its nearest competitor, Dollar General ($129.75). Compared to other big stores, Walmart’s prices are:
- 30.4% cheaper than Target overall
- 33.3% cheaper for middle school supplies
In a strategic move, Walmart froze prices in 2023 to help families manage inflation. This pricing structure continues to offer strong value heading into the 2025 school year.
Dollar General shines for pencils, pens, and backpacks
While Walmart dominates on overall cost, Dollar General has the edge on several individual items—especially writing and drawing supplies.
- 24-pack colored pencils: $0.38 cheaper than Walmart
- 10-pack ballpoint pens: $0.57 cheaper
- Backpacks: $5 at Dollar General vs. up to $7.55 at Walmart
Dollar General also offers seasonal teacher discounts and has over 100 school-related items priced at $1 or less.
Target might be best—for last-minute clearance
While Target’s regular-season prices are higher, it offers significant markdowns after school starts. According to Business Insider, a post–back-to-school visit to Target revealed:
- Backpacks, notebooks, and brand-name supplies marked 50% off
- Popular licensed items like Barbie and The Mandalorian at steep discounts
If you’re willing to wait (and risk empty shelves), Target could be the cheapest option on clearance.
Shop around to score the lowest prices per item
For shoppers with flexibility or multiple nearby stores, mix-and-match shopping is the key to maximizing savings. Here’s where to find some of the cheapest individual items:
- Graph paper & erasers – Meijer
- Pens & pencils – Dollar General
- Folders & glue sticks – Walmart
- Art supplies – Target clearance
Being selective can cut your total spend significantly.
Tips to save on back-to-school essentials in 2025
Even small tweaks in your shopping strategy can make a big difference. Here are five key ways to save this season:
- Make a list: Only buy what’s essential—no extras.
- Check what you already have: Reuse last year’s scissors, rulers, and folders.
- Shop during tax holidays: Some states offer temporary school supply tax waivers.
- Budget ahead: Set aside $10/month in the spring to soften the summer hit.
- Involve your child: Creating a budget together can build financial literacy and curb impulse buying.
Key takeaway
Walmart is the clear winner for cheap back-to-school shopping in 2025—but smart, flexible shoppers can beat even those prices by shopping around or waiting for post–back-to-school markdowns. Whether you buy now or later, planning ahead is the best way to keep your school supply bill in check.
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