The Best Student Discounts: Food, Clothes, and More

Student discounts can take the edge off your college costs. Sure, it's only a 10%-15% edge. But every little bit helps.

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!

Sources

Like what you’re reading?

Join the CollegeXpress community! Create a free account and we’ll notify you about new articles, scholarship deadlines, and more.

Join Now

Join our community of
over 5 million students!

CollegeXpress has everything you need to simplify your college search, get connected to schools, and find your perfect fit.

Join CollegeXpress
Makiyah Murray

Makiyah Murray

High School Class of 2021

The college application process has been a stressful one, but CollegeXpress has eased some of that stress with its readily available college resources. At the beginning of the process, I frequently used the college search feature, and now that I’m almost done applying, I’ve started using the scholarship search. Both of these resources have made it easier to find relevant information.

Anthony Vidal

Anthony Vidal

High School Class of 2023

CollegeXpress has helped me in a series of different ways when it comes to finding scholarships and learning information about different universities. I actually found my dream university through CollegeXpress and am working on getting there.

Maliha

Maliha

High School Class of 2019

My college search began at CollegeXpress. Due to this helpful tool, I was able to gather a lot of information to guide my college planning decisions. Through CollegeXpress, I was also able to apply to several scholarships to help pay for my tuition. I would definitely recommend this website to anyone who wants to explore colleges and get more information from admission experts, counselors, and real students.

Amelia

Amelia

High School Class of 2023

CollegeXpress helped open me up to many colleges that fit my interests. I’m only a sophomore in high school, so I like having a lot to look at, and CX does a great job of picking colleges that meet my wants. It's a great website that I'll continue to use until it comes time for me to apply for colleges. I also like that it notifies me through email with options to look at. Thanks CX!

Priscilla Yeboah

Priscilla Yeboah

High School Student

I was afraid and timid throughout my search for colleges, but I finally found the college that was fit for me and luckily I got accepted. One of the most influential things that helped me was the articles and advice on CollegeXpress. They've helped me a lot and benefited me as a senior to make the right choices in life. Thank you!

College Matches
X

Colleges You May Be Interested In

John Carroll University

University Heights, OH

Lewis University

Romeoville, IL

Canisius University

Buffalo, NY