This story was produced by SoFi and reviewed and distributed by Stacker.
52 companies that offer student discounts
College comes with a lot of expenses. On top of tuition, fees, books, and housing, students also want to go out and have fun. But going shopping, to see a movie, or to meet friends for lunch or dinner isn't always easy on a student budget. Fortunately, there are widely available deals and discounts designed just for college students. Here's a roundup of student discounts from SoFi.
Key Points
- Major retailers like Amazon and Sam's Club offer special pricing and membership benefits to college students.
- Technology companies such as Apple, Microsoft, and Dell provide discounts on products and software for students.
- Clothing stores like J.Crew, Aeropostale, and Levi's offer a percentage off purchases upon showing a valid student ID.
- Restaurants including McDonald's, Chick-fil-A, and Buffalo Wild Wings provide various discounts and deals for students.
- Travel and transportation services like Greyhound, Amtrak, and United Airlines offer reduced rates for students traveling domestically.
Major Retailers
1. Amazon
Amazon Prime Student provides six free months of Amazon Prime, and after that it's $7.49 per month (about half regular price). Plus, students receive perks like free food delivery, 10% off flights and hotels, and one month free of homework help. Members can cancel at any time.
2. Sam's Club
Sam's Club offers special membership pricing to college students through UNiDAYS , a site that verifies student status and offers exclusive student deals (sign-up is free). Once registered with UNiDAYS, students can get $40 off a Sam's Club Plus Membership or 30% off a Club Membership. They will also qualify to get a $45 eGift Card when they spend $45.
3. Target
Target Circle's College Student Appreciation program offers exclusive perks and discounts to students, which could come in handy when shopping for dorm room decor. To access deals, like 15% off of a purchase, join Target Circle for free, verify student status (by uploading a student ID, class schedule, or tuition receipt), then check back later for offers.
4. Costco
A Costco membership can also help make college more affordable. College students who join Costco as a new Gold Star Member through UNiDAYS can receive a $30 Digital Costco Shop Card.
Technology
5. Apple
Keep this in mind when preparing for college: Apple offers special pricing for current and recently accepted college students (along with their parents). For example, they can get a 13" macbook air with the M2 chip for $999 (normally $1099) or an iPad air for $549 (normally $599).
6. Microsoft
Students (as well as parents and teachers) can save up to 10% off eligible computers and accessories with Microsoft's student discount. They also get Office 365 and access to Teams for free.
7. Dell
Dell offers exclusive discounts on laptops, monitors, and accessories to students with a valid academic email address (such as one ending in .edu). Savings vary depending on the product, but currently students can save $300 (20%) on an XPS 15 Laptop.
8. Lenovo
College students get an extra 5% off their tech purchases at Lenovo. Incoming students can also access the deal by providing a letter of acceptance. Simply verify the student status through ID.me during checkout.
9. Adobe
Adobe Creative Cloud for Students allows students to get an All Apps plan for $19.99 a month for the first year, and $29.99 per month after that (it's normally $54.99 per month). To get the deal, students need to provide a school-issued email address during purchase so they can be instantly verified.
Clothes
10. Aeropostale
Students can benefit from an extra 15% off at Aeropostale. To take advantage of the deal, simply register and verify student status with UNiDAYS.
11. J.Crew
J.Crew gives students (and teachers) 15% off purchases when they present a valid college ID at checkout. The discount can be used up to four times a month.
12. Hanes
Need some basics, like tees or undergarments? Hanes offers students 10% off online purchases. To score the discount, verify student status through ID.me and get a promo code.
13. The North Face
The North Face gives students a 10% discount code to use at full-price locations (not factory stores), as well as online. Students can redeem one code every 30 days.
14. Tommy Hilfiger
Tommy Hilfiger offers students 15% off online or in-store. First, they have to create an ID.me account or log in to their existing one.
15. Levi's
Levi's offers students 15% off online purchases after they verify student status on the site.
16. Club Monaco
Students who are Club Monaco fans can get 15% off online and in-store. Simply register for an account with an .edu email address and a 15% off discount will automatically apply to the student's cart. If shopping in-store, just present a valid student ID at the register.
17. Docker's
Docker's offers students a generous 25% off all purchases made online. Simply verify your student status through the site.
18. Outdoor Voices
Students shopping at Outdoor Voices can score 20% off through Student Beans (a site similar to UniDAYS that helps verify student status and offers discounts to partner stores). Once students register with Student Beans (which is free), they get a discount code to use at checkout.
19. Champion
Champion offers 10% off to actively enrolled students. Simply verify student status through ID.me to get the discount code.
Restaurants
20. McDonald's
Right now, students can get a free Cheeseburger, Mayo Chicken, or McFlurry Original when they buy any Extra Value or Wrap Meal and show a valid student or Student Beans ID.
21. Chick-fil-A
Student discounts vary by location, but many Chick-fil-As offer students a free drink with any purchase.
22. Dunkin'
Dunkin' offers a 10% off student discount at participating locations. To claim the deal, simply show a student ID to the cashier.
23. Arby's
Save 10% on your Arby's meal when you show a student ID at participating locations.
24. Buffalo Wild Wings
Students who want to catch the game and eat some wings with friends can score 10% off at many Buffalo Wild Wings locations.
25. Waffle House
Students looking for a late-night meal can enjoy a 10% discount at participating Waffle Houses.
26. IHOP
Many IHOP locations also offer 10% off for students.
27. Qdoba
Qdoba has two discount options for students at most locations: either a free drink with purchase or a burrito meal for just $5.
28. Taco Bell
Students craving a Crunchwrap Supreme can get a 10% discount at participating Taco Bells.
Travel & Transportation
29. Greyhound
Through Student Advantage, Greyhound offers 10% off any fare. The Student Advantage card costs $30 a year and offers students—and parents—a wide range of discounts.
30. Amtrak
Students between the ages of 17 and 24 can travel by Amtrak train for 15% off when booking at least one day in advance.
31. United Airlines
United Airlines offers a 5% flight discount to travelers 18 to 23 years old. To get the deal, book through the United app.
32. Hotels.com
Through UNiDAYS, students can snag steep discounts at Hotels.com, such as 35% off last-minute hotel bookings and up to 40% off the site's Weekend Getaway Deals.
33. FlixBus
Students get 15% off Flixbus tickets with Student Beans. Simply use the FlixBus student discount code at checkout.
34. Hertz
Hertz offers students 21 and older who have had a driver's license for at least one year 15% off cars and 20% off vans.
35. Budget Truck Rentals
Budget Truck Rentals offers students 20% off local moves and 15% off one-way moves any day of the week. Use the discount code TRUKU.
36. Penske
Penske offers college students a 10% discount on all truck rentals and unlimited miles on one-way moving truck rentals. Use the discount code STUDENT at checkout, and then provide a college ID or proof of enrollment status at pickup.
37. Red Coach
RedCoach offers high school, college, and graduate students up to 10% off tickets. To get the discount, check the student option at checkout then show student ID card to the driver along with the ticket.
Entertainment
38. AMC
Students get a lower ticket price at select AMC theaters every day. Just bring photo student ID (and maybe some extra money for popcorn).
39. Cinemark
Student discounts at Cinemark vary by location and time of day, so check with the local box office to see what kind of deals are available.
40. Apple Streaming
Apple's Student Music plan is $5.99 per month for up to 48 months (normally $10.99 per month). Students also get Apple TV+ (usually $6.99) free.
41. Hulu
Hulu offers students its ad-supported plan for just $1.99 a month (a 75% discount). Those interested in bundling Hulu with other services should check out the deal below.
42. Spotify Bundle
Students can get Spotify Premium and Hulu (with ads) for just $4.99 per month. Spotify Premium normally costs $9.99 per month and Hulu (with ads) is $7.99 a month, so college students can snag a monthly savings of $12.99.
43. The Washington Post
The Washington Post has a digital all-access student subscription plan for just $1 every four weeks.
44. Paramount+
Students can get a Paramount+ Essential monthly plan for just $4.50 per month (25% off). They can cancel anytime.
45. YouTube Premium
YouTube Premium (which allows you to enjoy YouTube and YouTube Music ad-free) is available to students at a discounted rate of $7.99 a month, after a free one-month trial. They can cancel at any time.
46. The Economist
The Economist offers students an annual digital subscription for a steep 75% off. They can get the Economist Espresso for $19.75 a year, or the Economist Digital for $52.25.
Home Goods
47. Ghost Bed
Students and teachers can get 50% off their entire order at GhostBed. To take advantage of the deal, just click on the ID.me button and then "Student ID" to sign up and get verified.
48. Mattress Firm
After verifying student status through ID.me, Mattress Firm provides a single-use coupon code that can be used in-store or online. Students get an extra 20% off select purchases or an extra 10% off Purple with the code.
49. Purple
Students can also get a 10% discount directly from Purple. Once eligibility is verified, Purple will email a coupon for 10% off the order.
50. Helix
Students can get a discount code for 15% off a mattress at Helix through UNiDAYS.
51. Puffy
Puffy offers a generous student and educator discount—$1,425 off any Puffy mattress.
52. Brooklyn Bedding
Brooklyn Bedding offers a 30% discount and free shipping to students. Simply verify eligibility through ID.me.
FAQ
How many times can a student discount be used?
It depends on the company. Some retailers and restaurants allow students to use the discount once per visit or purchase; others limit it to a certain number of times per month or year.
How much is the average student discount?
Student deals typically provide 10% to 15% off, though some discounts reach 50% off or even higher. In some cases, a student discount may come with restrictions, such as only being able to use it on full-price merchandise. So it's always a good idea to compare the student discount to any other available deals and sales.
Do student discounts only apply to college students?
Typically, student discounts only apply to college and graduate students. In some cases, high school students can get deals if they have an email that ends in .edu. The colleges and programs that retailers recognize can vary, but most major colleges and universities are eligible.
