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CostHelper > Schools & Job Training  > School Uniform

School Uniform Cost


How Much Does a School Uniform Cost?

 
average costStandardized-Clothing Uniforms: $25-$200 per outfithigh costSchool-Specific Uniforms: $100-$500 per outfit

Many private schools and a growing number of US public schools (about 19% in 2009-2010[1] ) require school uniforms. Many private schools mandate specific uniform pieces that must be bought from an official source; for example, a school may dictate the exact blazer, top and pants or skirt that are available only from one or two retailers. Some private schools and most public schools have more general rules that list acceptable styles and colors of standardized clothing that may be purchased from any retail outlet; for example, a standardized "uniform" outfit could be any style or brand of khaki pants with any style or brand of collared shirt in white or the school-designated color(s).

Typical costs:

  • A general uniform of standardized clothing can cost $25-$200 per outfit or about $100-$600 for a school wardrobe (four or five mix-and-match outfits), depending on the quality and number of the pieces, the retailer and the location. Pants might be $5-$50 each, skirts can be about $5-$35 each and tops might be $3-$35 each. If shoes are included in the uniform requirements, they can cost $15-$70.
  • For example, Classroom School Uniforms estimates average costs of $156 for four girls' outfits and $140 for four boys' outfits; a blogger at UniformMom.com[2] reports actual costs of $234 for a standardized-uniform wardrobe for kindergarten; and a task force in North Brunswick Township Schools[3] in North Brunswick, NJ estimates a typical girls' uniform school wardrobe (three pairs of pants, two skirts, five long-sleeve shirts, five short-sleeve shirts, one sweater, one pair of shoes, 5 pairs of socks) costs $283 a year, and the average boys' uniform school wardrobe (five pairs of pants, five long-sleeve shirts, five short-sleeve shirts, one sweater, one pair of shoes, five pairs of socks) costs $315.
  • A more specific school uniform that must be purchased from an official provider or providers can cost $100-$500 or more per outfit, depending on the retailer and school requirements. Prices can vary significantly: some uniform pieces may cost about the same as similar quality non-uniform clothing, while at some schools it can cost $100-$300 or more for just a blazer with the school insignia. For example, Detroit Country Day School[4] in Michigan estimates that in a student's initial year, parents can expect to pay $200-$500 for uniforms that include the DCDS crest.
Related articles: Kindergarten, Elementary School, Middle School, High School

What should be included:
  • Each school will provide detailed information about its school uniforms. For example, Akron Public Schools in Ohio provides a chart of what is allowed[5] ; these items can be purchased through any retail or online store. Marymount School[6] in New York City specifies the uniform requirements for its lower school[7] , middle school[8] and upper school[9] students; the official uniform outfitter is The Corey Company[10] and winter options may be purchased from Land's End[11] .
  • F amilyEducation.com explains the pros and cons of school uniforms[12] .
Discounts:
  • Many schools hold used-uniform swaps or sales. For example, the St. Charles Borromeo Catholic School[13] in Orlando, FL opens its Swap Shop on the first and third Wednesdays of each month; and Marymount School[14] in New York City collects donations of "gently used" uniforms and holds a used uniform sale each fall and spring.
  • Check local consignment stores for used uniforms for local schools.
Shopping for a school uniform:
  • Standardized clothing that meets typical school uniform requirements is available from a variety of retailers, including Kmart[15] , Land's End[16] , Old Navy[17] , Sears[18] , Target[19] and Walmart[20] .
  • Most private schools will supply a list of retailers stocking their uniforms. A few of the major school uniform suppliers and distributors include Classroom Uniforms[21] ; Cookie's[22] ; Dennis Uniform[23] ; Flynn & O'Hara[24] ; French Toast[25] ; Parker School Uniforms[26] and its subsidiary Charter School Uniforms[27] .
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What People Are Paying - Recent Comments
Boarding School Uniforms
Amount: $1,275.00 per year
Posted by: Lily Kurosakebe in Somewhere along the coast., WA.Posted: January 22nd, 2020 09:01PM
School: Let’s keep that a secret.Retailer: Proprietary, student store.
Our uniform cost are included In our yearly tuition ($31,000). I kinda like Uniforms. Ours look cute and I think they show pride of ourselves and our school.
Our packages usually includes;
1 Blazer
1 Cardigan
1 Sweater
1 Sweater Vest
6 Summer Blouses
6?Winter Blouses
6 Skirts
1 Tie
1 Bow Tie
6 Black Pairs of Socks
6 Black Under Shirts
1 Pair of Loafers
1 School Hoodie
3 Gym Shorts
3 Gym Shirts
1 Tracksuit
1 Swimsuit
1 Pair of Shower Shoes
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
School Uniforms
Amount: $249.00 per year
Posted by: Kaleigh Hobbs in Evansville, IN.Posted: February 22nd, 2019 10:02AM
School: Delaware Elementary SchoolRetailer: Kaleigh Hobbs
Wearing school uniforms is just dumb cause there's just no point in wearing them. Cause they cost to much money and they are very expensive. they take away your style.
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
School Uniforms
Amount: $249.00 per year
Posted by: katieeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee in WHO WANTS TO KNOW, FL.Posted: March 16th, 2018 10:03AM
School: Tropical Winds MiddleRetailer: MEEEE
I dislike school uniforms because they can cost way to much (they do) and it doesn't resolve the bullying problem and the students can become less focused in class..
Was this post helpful to you?   yes     no Report prohibited or spam
school uniforms
Amount: $45.00 per year
Posted by: bring hot back yeah in wakamolia, ID.Posted: September 29th, 2017 09:09AM
School: grandeRetailer: god
i hate uniforms.
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External Resources:
  1.  nces.ed.gov/fastfacts/display.asp?id=50
  2.  uniformmom.blogspot.com/2013/02/the-spend-our-actual-cost-for-school.html
  3.  www.nbtschools.org/nbts/Our%20District/News%20and%20Headlines%20Archive/School%20U...
  4.  www.dcds.edu/page.cfm?p=7584
  5.  www.akronschools.com/dotAsset/42521.pdf
  6.  marymountnyc.org/parents/uniform-information
  7.  marymountnyc.org/parents/uniform-information/uniform-requirements-lower-school
  8.  marymountnyc.org/parents/uniform-information/uniform-requirements-middle-school
  9.  marymountnyc.org/parents/uniform-information/uniform-requirements-upper-school
  10.  www.coreyuniform.com/
  11.  www.landsend.com/ix/school-uniforms/index.html?tab=13&seq=1&page=1&pageSize=12&sto...
  12.  school.familyeducation.com/educational-philosophy/individuality/38676.html
  13.  www.stcharles-orlando.org/Page/550
  14.  marymountnyc.org/parents/uniform-information
  15.  www.kmart.com/clothing-school-uniforms/c-20155
  16.  www.landsend.com/ix/school-uniforms/index.html?seq=1&visible=1&cm_re=SchoolUniform...
  17.  oldnavy.gap.com/browse/category.do?cid=5924
  18.  www.sears.com/clothing-school-uniforms/c-1020175?sName=View%20All
  19.  www.target.com/c/school-uniforms-kids-ways-to-shop/-/N-5tg6q#?lnk=gnav_kids_4_62&i...
  20.  www.walmart.com/cp/School-Uniforms-Shop/1086304
  21.  www.classroomuniforms.com/
  22.  www.cookieskids.com/Search.aspx?l=00200070004400000000
  23.  www.dennisuniform.com/
  24.  www.flynnohara.com/
  25.  www.frenchtoast.com/
  26.  www.parkersu.com/
  27.  www.charteruniforms.com/user
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