College Packing List on a Budget 

Are you a student who’s about to head off to college for the first time, or a parent whose child is about to leave the nest? Then it’s almost time to start packing!

Everyone knows college students need a backpack, computer and toothbrush—but what else should go on the packing list? What shouldn’t go on the list? And how can you get everything you need on a budget?

If you’ve been asking some of these questions lately, you’ve come to the right place! Here’s a list of things you’ll need to pack for college—plus a few items you won’t need on your college packing list if you’re tight on space or sticking to a budget.

College Packing List Essentials

Furniture and Storage

Your dorm will provide most of the big furniture, like desks, chairs and bed frames. But don’t forget these other important touches:

• Mattress (or, if your college already supplies a mattress, a comfortable mattress topper)
• Trash can
• Alarm clock
• Bedside lamp
• Storage bins for the closet and under the bed

Bedding and Bath

This might be the most important part of your college dorm checklist: bedding and bath linens! You should buy these items new, but you can save money by comparing prices on Amazon or visiting discount stores like T.J. Maxx and Ross.

• Twin XL sheet set and pillowcases (because this size will fit most dorm mattresses)
• Comforter or duvet
• Throw blanket
• Bath towels
• Washcloths
• Hand towel

Health and Personal Care

Stay fresh, clean and healthy with these essential bathroom products for your dorm:

• Pain relievers
• Thermometer
• Vitamins
• Hand soap
• Shampoo and conditioner
• Body wash
• Lotion
• Face wash and moisturizer
• Toothbrush and toothpaste
• Hairbrush or comb
• Blow-dryer, hair straightener and curling iron
• Tweezers
• Nail file and clippers
• Razors and shaving cream
• Q-tips and cotton balls
• Bandages
• Shower caddy for your bathroom and shower products
• Shower shoes (if you have a communal bathroom)
• Cosmetics kit
• Shower loofah

Laundry, Clothing and Accessories

When it comes to clothes, a good tip is to only pack the clothes you need for the semester you’re in. That means you don’t need your winter sweaters and boots when you’re heading into spring and summer. You can trade out your wardrobe when you go home for a visit on school breaks.

Curious about what other clothes and laundry items to pack for college? Check out this list:

• Laundry hamper and mesh laundry bag
• Laundry detergent and fabric softener
• Quarters for the laundromat
• Lint roller
• Stain remover pen or spray
• Clothes hangers
• Travel steamer or clothes iron
• Closet and shoe organizers
• Underwear and socks
• Pajamas
• Shirts
• Shorts
• Jeans
• Dresses
• Skirts
• Sweats or loungewear
• Workout outfits
• Swimsuit
• Athletic shoes
• Sandals
• Dress shoes
• Walking shoes
• Snow, rain and/or hiking boots
• Jewelry and a watch (stick with the basics and leave the expensive stuff at home)
• Winter jacket, warm hat and scarf (if it’s appropriate for the season)
• Belts (black and brown are safe bets!)
• Sunglasses or hat
• Purse or wallet
• Computer bag or backpack

Decor

When you’re thinking about what to pack for college, you don’t need to go crazy finding the perfect curtains or knickknacks if they’re going to blow your budget. Adding small touches like family photos and your favorite blanket can make your dorm feel homey until you save money for more decor. But here are a few ideas if you want to add a splash of style without breaking the bank:

• Area rug
• Posters or framed photos
• Curtains and tension rod
• Wall-safe picture hangers

Electronics and School Supplies

We’re in the digital age, folks! Here are some electronics—and traditional school supplies—you’ll want to bring to make your life easier:

• Laptop or desktop computer, plus their cords
• Computer mouse
• Flash drive
• Cell phone and charger
• Docking station or Bluetooth speaker
• Earbuds or headphones
• Pens, pencils and highlighters
• Notebooks, binders and folders with pockets
• TV and DVD player or streaming device

Food and Kitchen Gear

If you’ll be living somewhere with a kitchen, don’t forget to add cooking gear to your list. Here are some essentials:

• Silverware set
• Easy-to-make meals and snacks (granola bars, soup, macaroni and cheese, popcorn, sandwich ingredients, etc.)
• Water bottle
• Coffee mug
• Plates and bowls
• Mini fridge
• Microwave (if your dorm or apartment doesn’t provide one)
• Dish towels or paper towels
• Tupperware
• Ziplock baggies
• Can/bottle opener
• Dish soap and scrubber

Personal Documents and Money

You might not think of personal records as important items to pack for college, but you’ll want to make sure you have these forms of ID (and keep them in a safe place so they don’t get lost or stolen):

• Driver’s license
• Student ID
• Social Security card
• Copy of birth certificate
• Health insurance card
• Car registration and insurance
• Debit card and cash (Hopefully mom and dad can help out in this department!

Other Items

Don’t forget these random household items when you’re deciding what to pack for college. It’ll make a big difference to have these things on hand when you move into your dorm:

• Trash bags
• Lightbulbs
• All-purpose cleaners
• Tissues
• Vacuum or mop
• Calendar
• Mini tool kit
• Lawn chair or picnic blanket for outdoor events
• Fan or extra blankets (if you and your roommate disagree about room temperature)

What You Don’t Need to Bring With You

It’s definitely tempting to bring all your favorite things from home, but remember that living in a dorm is temporary—and you want to make the most of the space you have. Here are a few items you probably won’t need to bring to college:

• A million throw pillows (one is plenty)
• Clothes for every season
• Any duplicate electronics or appliances that your roommate will bring
• Bulky or single-use kitchen appliances (like a convection oven or rice cooker)
• Ironing board (if you use a clothes steamer instead)
• Printer and printer paper (if there’s a community printer available)
• Multiple suitcases (because you probably only need one)
• Your entire DVD or book collection

You’ve Got This!

Whew, that’s a long checklist of things to pack (or not pack) for college! Don’t get overwhelmed, though. Just move through each section and see what you’ve already got and what you might need to buy. And no matter what, don’t take on any debt to decorate your dorm. It’ll take some discipline, but you can do it!