Amidst the ongoing discussion on the economic impact of tariffs, attention has focused on high-ticket consumer goods like cars, housing and food. However, a quieter issue is emerging in classrooms across the country: the rising cost of education supplies due to tariffs on imported goods that are essential for students.
While inflation and supply chain disruptions have already affected educational expenses in recent years, tariffs are expected to add yet another layer of financial strain to students and their families. School supplies — ranging from backpacks and laptops to pens and paper — are often imported from abroad, and are set to face steep tariffs.
According to a 2024 report from the National Retail Association, tariffs on Chinese imports have already contributed to a 12 to 18 percent increase in price for basic school supplies. This increase occurred before the latest round of tariffs, which are much larger and will further enlarge this number.
Katherine Neilson, an education policy analyst at The Economic Policy Institute, noted, “We’re seeing families spend significantly more just to get their kids prepared for school. What used to cost $100 now can easily be $130 or more, and that’s for the essentials.”
Textbooks, which were already notoriously expensive, have seen prices rise due to increased printing costs, many of which are affected by tariffs on paper, ink and other materials.
According to a study conducted by Statista in 2024, laptops manufactured and assembled in countries facing U.S. trade tariffs have seen average retail prices increase by 10 to 15 percent. The new tariffs will make it worse, effectively doubling their prices. This has already created a technology gap that is destined to get worse, particularly affecting students in low-income districts where schools cannot afford to provide devices for their students.
Concern about affordability is growing among all grades, from kindergarten to high school and beyond. In a May 2025 Bark survey, results found that 69 percent of students are worried that tariffs will make school utilities unaffordable or inaccessible. The outcome also showed that more than two-thirds of students are aware of the threat these economic changes pose to their access to learning. Higher education institutions are also feeling the wrath.
According to the College Board, non-tuition expenses, such as books, supplies and technology, now account for nearly 35 percent of the total cost of attending a public college. Tariff-related inflation is making it harder for students to manage these costs without taking on additional debt.
Experts warn that if tariffs continue to inflate education-related costs, the long-term impact could be severe.
“There’s a very real risk that we’re creating an unequal education landscape,” said Neilson. “Students from wealthier families will always be able to absorb the cost. But for others, it may mean starting the school year without a laptop or required materials.”
While some policymakers argue that tariffs protect domestic industries, critics say the hidden costs in sectors like education are too high. As Congress debates future trade policies, education advocates are urging lawmakers to consider the broader social costs of tariffs, especially those impacting students and schools.
