Fact: College is expensive. There's no question about that. Whether it's a community college or an Ivy League university, tuition is thousands of dollars. Even with scholarships, grants, and other financial aid, college leaves many of us broke.
Another fact: College does come with perks. Did you know as a college student you can get lots of discounts? And not just discounted tickets to sports games or other events your college hosts. Real discounts at stores all across the country on everything from clothing to food to electronics to travel fare.
Student discounts can take the edge off your college costs. Sure, it’s only a 10%–15% edge—but every little bit helps! Here are some of the best discounts for college students. Keep in mind that some of these discounts are not guaranteed and/or may vary from place to place, so always check to see if you’re at a “participating location” before assuming you’ll get a student discount.
Clothing and apparel discounts
- Alex and Ani: 10% off
- Asos: 10% off full-price online orders
- Banana Republic: 15% off regularly priced items
- Club Monaco: 20% off sale and full-priced items
- Express: 15% off regularly priced items
- J. Crew: 15% off regularly priced items
- Kate Spade: 15% off
- Levi: 15% off regularly priced items
- Madewell: 15% off regularly priced items
- Ralph Lauren: 15% off
- Topshop: 10% off
Electronics and tech discounts
- Adobe: Up to 60% off Creative Cloud
- Amazon Prime: 6 months free, then 50% off after
- Apple: 20% off select products
- Microsoft: Up to 10% off
- Spotify: $5 per month for Spotify Premium
- Adorama: 15% off select tech items
Restaurant discounts
- Arby’s: 10% off
- Buca di Beppo: 10% off
- Buffalo Wild Wings: 10% off
- Burger King: 10% off
- Chick-fil-A: Free drink with purchase
- Chipotle: Free drink with purchase
- Dairy Queen: 10% off
- Dominos: Discounts vary depending on location
- Dunkin Donuts: 10% off
- Firehouse Subs: 10% off
- Kroger: 5% off
- McDonalds: 10% off
- Pizza Hut: 10%–20% off
- Qdoba: $5 burrito deals or free drink with purchase
- Schlotzky's Deli: 10%–20% off
- Shoney’s: 15% off
- Subway: 10% off
- Taco Bell: 10% off
- Waffle House: 10% off
Travel discounts
- Amtrack: 15% off when you book in advance
- Greyhound: 10% off
Miscellaneous discounts
- Cinemark: Discounts vary depending on location
- FedEx: 20%–30% off
- Regal Cinemas: Discounts vary depending on location
- Sam’s Club: Discounts vary depending on location
Other places to ask for student discounts
- Cell phone service carriers (Verizon, Sprint, AT&T, and other carriers usually offer student discounts!)
- Museums
- Sight-seeing companies
- Small local businesses
While these discounts may not seem like a lot, even 5% off is better than nothing. It’s true that some of these discounts don’t apply everywhere, and you do sometimes have to ask if a location offers student prices…which can be scary. But the worst they will say is no. Do you really want to lose out on saving money just because you were too nervous to ask?
Also, there are tons of discounts this list does not cover. It doesn’t hurt to ask basically any business if they offer a student deal. Just have your college ID on you so you have proof, hold your head up, and ask away. Who knows, you may find an amazing student discount that no one else knows about! (If you do, please share it with the world so the rest of us college students can join in!)
What’s the best student discount you’ve ever found? Share it in with us on Twitter @CollegeXpress!
