2 School Fees on the Rise Again? Here’s What Parents Told The new school year always comes with one thing in common: a thinner wallet. But how heavy is the burden really this year? Jakpat set out to find out directly from 482 parents and guardians with school-age children. Tuition Tops the Spending List Among all school-related expenses, tuition fees came out as the biggest cost. As many as 41.7% of parents said tuition was their largest expense ahead of the new school year, far above other needs.Added up, tuition alone is nearly on par with uniforms, bags, and shoes combined. It’s no surprise many parents feel the pinch at the start of the school year, since tuition isn’t a one-time purchase, it’s a recurring cost. Pricier Than Last Year Here’s where it gets even more interesting. When asked to compare this year’s school preparation costs to last year’s, the responses leaned strongly in one direction: more expensive. Slightly more expensive: 39.5% Much more expensive: 34.5% About the same: 19.5% Cheaper: 2.9% Combined, 74% of parents felt school costs rose this year, whether slightly or significantly, while only 2.9% said costs were lower. Nearly everyone seems to agree: this year’s back-to-school season is hitting wallets harder than the year before. So, What Does This Mean? This data points to two connected takeaways. First, tuition is the biggest burden, and it’s a recurring one hitting families every month or every semester. Second, the majority of parents feel costs have climbed compared to last year. Together, these two factors are what make the new school year feel heavier for so many families. To the parents reading this: what has your experience been like? Is tuition your biggest expense too, or is there another cost that’s actually draining your wallet more?
