Back-To-School Costs Hit Record Highs For North Dakota Parents

The cost of going back to school keeps rising each year for North Dakota students. With the cost of books, clothes, and school supplies continuing to soar, we thought it would be interesting to look at those numbers.

How Much Does It Cost To Send Kids Back To School In Bismarck-Mandan?

According to a report done by Savings.com, local parents will be spending an average of $600 to $700 per child. If your jaw is on the floor right now, SAME. The source says parents are paying record prices this year.

(Also Read: 11 Things Every North Dakota Kid Should Have In Their Backpack)

Oh, and get ready, that number only reflects grade-schoolers; parents of high schoolers expect to spend roughly $800 per child. The median spend per child, all ages, comes out to about $628 for 2025.

Obviously, clothing and tech are the most significant expenses, but notebooks, pens, and binders aren't cheap like they used to be.

Good luck to all the parents bargain hunting right now. Hopefully, you can find ways to cut down the costs here and there. Maybe you can try to give your kids back-to-school haircuts at home. Just watch a few YouTube tutorials, and you will be good to go. Mostly kidding.

To help out, we put together a list of things you might not actually need to buy for the 2025-26 school year. Take a look.