The days when college students packed a duffel bag of a few essentials
and headed to campus are long gone. The 2004 Back-to-College Consumer Intentions and Actions Survey, found that the average college student will spend $605.69 of their own money on back-to-college merchandise this year. Freshmen and juniors tend to face the biggest expenses. The average freshman, who will likely be moving away from home for the first time, plans to spend $1205.97, primarily on electronics ($759.97). Juniors, who may be moving off campus for the first time, plan to spend $811.83 on average, with nearly
one-third of their spending ($278.47) devoted to dorm and apartment furnishings.
Sophomores' and seniors' spending will be significantly less ($444.66 and $425.23 on average, respectively). Students in graduate or medical school plan to spend $397.44 on average, the least of any group.
