Furnishing a College Dorm Costs $760 on Average—Here’s How to Avoid Overspending

Furnishing your home does not come cheap—even if you’re living in a dorm.The average college student spends $760 setting up their space before accounting for rent or tuition, according to a new study by Sallie. And nearly 3 in 10 (28%) spend over $1,000.Payton Bussey, a student at University of Colorado Boulder in Boulder, CO says she spent about $1,000 furnishing her dorm, including both practical items and decor. “I got the basics like bedding, a mattress topper, towels, and storage, but I also bought a bean bag, curtains, a rug, wall prints, and lighting. I probably could’ve skipped a few extras, but decorating was part of what made moving into a dorm exciting, especially since this was my first time away from home,” explains Bussey.If you’re a current or prospective college student (or parent of one), realize that overspending on a dorm or rental is fairly normal but not every purchase is essential. By knowing what is (and isn’t) worth it, you can keep your budget under control. Why it’s easy to overspend on a college dorm or rentalDorm shopping often starts with the obvious essentials, but the smaller purchases add up quickly. The same holds true with an apartment or other ren...