Lots of nostalgic adults like to look back at college as the best four years of their lives. While that may or may not be the case for everyone, one thing is true: it's the best four years for discount shopping. Sure, you can bargain shop the rest of your life, but, no other time in your life will you get quite so many discounts simply by flashing your ID.
Sure, the purpose of the student ID might be to get access a meal plan or the library. The true magic happens off campus. With your card in hand (or, sometimes just an email ending in .edu), you can score deals on everything from laptops to clothes.
We've rounded up our favorite retailers that offer discounts for students (and educators!) for up to 50% off the listed price. Click through to see — you could be saving big at places you already love.
Apple offers education pricing on a number of their products, from MacBooks to iPhones, as well as back-to-school deals like free headphones with purchase. Students also qualify for a discount on their Apple Music membership.
Photo: courtesy of Apple.
Both students and teachers get 15% off full-priced items in stores with an ID.
Photo: courtesy of Banana Republic.B
Amazon is pretty much a one-stop-shop on college essentials from textbooks to red solo cups. Get free two-day shipping on all your must-haves with a six-month trial, followed by 50% off the yearly Prime membership fee. Membership also gets you access to Prime Video, where you can stream all the movies and TV you want, as well as Amazon-exclusive programs like Transparent.
Photo: courtesy of
Get 15% off year-round on Amtrak on all trains, with the exception of non-holiday, weekday Acela trains. You can book online and just have to show valid ID when boarding.
Photo: Getty Images.
Student shoppers receive 20% off all purchases — even sale — both online and in person. Simply enter a valid .edu address to get an online code, or show a valid ID in stores.
Photo: courtesy of Club Monaco.
Discounts vary by location, but many Goodwills offer a student discount day every week for as much as 20% off your purchase.
Photo: Getty Images.
Frye offers 20% off all full-priced items for students in stores and online, making your next investment piece a bit more within reach.
Photo: courtesy of Frye.
Students and educators get special digital access rates starting at $1 a week, as well as a a 50% discount on the print version of the paper.
Photo: Getty Images.
College students as well as teachers get 15% off full-priced items in-store only, at both regular and J.Crew Factory stores.
Photo: courtesy of J.Crew.
Madewell
J.Crew's sister company, Madewell, also offers 15% off of in-store purchases for students and educators.
Photo: Courtesy of Madewell.
If you're living with a crowd (and have the space), save you and your roommates some major cash by stocking up on essentials at Sam's Club. Student membership is $40/year, and includes a $15 gift card when you sign up in stores.
Photo: Courtesy of Sam's Club.
Stock up on classic denim with a 15% discount online for students with a valid .edu address.
Photo: Courtesy of Levi's.
Students get 10% off all year with a discount code online.
Photo: Courtesy of TopShop
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