Apple Just Raised Education Prices — Here’s What Students Still Save in 2026

On June 25, 2026, something quietly changed. In addition to raising prices for all of its Mac and iPad models, Apple also increased the cost of education that teachers, parents, and students depend on. It didn’t make front-page news. But for a college sophomore budgeting for a new MacBook, or a teacher stretching a school allowance, it mattered.

Apple rarely discounts anything. That’s part of its whole identity — the premium positioning, the polished storefronts, the sense that prices are what they are. So the Education Store has always felt like a small, quiet exception. Year-round discounts of roughly 5% to 15% on Macs, iPads, and select Apple Watch models. Not dramatic, but real. Additionally, even 10% off is significant for items that cost hundreds or thousands of dollars.

The average savings are roughly $100 off a MacBook Air, $200 off a MacBook Pro, $100 off an iPad Pro, and $50 off an iPad Air. The Apple Watch, which was previously unavailable, was also added to the education pricing mix by Apple as of May 2026. Students can now purchase an Apple Watch Ultra 3 for up to $80 and a regular Series 11 for about $40. Adding a lifestyle gadget to what has historically been a productivity-focused discount program is an intriguing move.

You must be a teacher or staff member at any grade level, including K–12, a parent making a purchase on behalf of a student, or a higher education student presently enrolled in a college or university in order to be eligible. UNiDAYS, which requests a university email address, is typically used for verification. It’s a fairly low barrier, which contributes to the program’s high usage.

Beyond hardware, it’s important to understand the software side of things. For $5.99 a month, which is about half the regular cost, eligible students can subscribe to Apple Music, which also includes Apple TV+. Another option is the $199.99 Pro Apps Bundle for Education, which includes Final Cut Pro, Logic Pro, Motion, Compressor, and MainStage. That’s a really alluring offer for a student of music or film. When bought separately at retail prices, the same software would cost significantly more.

It’s still unclear if the price increase in June 2026 will force students to choose refurbished Apple products or even rival companies with their own student programs, like Dell and Microsoft. Observing the education technology market, it appears that Apple’s brand appeal is still strong on campuses. The ratio of MacBooks to everything else in any university library speaks for itself. However, students are price sensitive, and loyalty is not unconditional.

Historically, the best time to purchase has been during Apple’s yearly Back to School promotion, a seasonal deal that usually adds free AirPods or gift cards to already-existing education discounts. With the June 2026 price adjustments now settled, many expect that promotion to launch soon in the U.S. For anyone already planning a purchase, it’s probably worth waiting a few more weeks to see what Apple puts on the table.

To be precise, the Apple Education Store is not a secret. But Apple doesn’t advertise it loudly either. It sits at a specific URL, accessible to those who know to look. For students and educators navigating hardware costs that keep creeping upward, it remains one of the more straightforward ways to take a meaningful amount off the price of a Mac or iPad — even if that price itself just got a little higher.