Students Increase Discretionary Spending 260% First Year of College

SANTA CLARA, Calif., Oct. 2, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Chegg, the student hub, today revealed the findings of its second annual survey profiling the spending habits of college students.  According to the survey, entering college is a key inflection point in establishing buying behavior, brand preferences and influence over family purchases.  Marketers engaging this important group of 16 to 24-year-old consumers have a great opportunity not only to increase sales today but also to create brand loyalty for years to come.

Five important trends emerged from the study:

• Personal spending increases significantly starting freshman year.  Students who just graduated from high school estimate they spent $2,941 on discretionary purchases (all non school-related items) in the past year, while students who just completed their freshman year of college estimate they spent $10,525 − an increase of 260%. 
• Brand preferences change significantly during the college years.  Current college students have new favorite brands in both high-ticket items and daily purchases at rates that significantly outpace incoming freshmen such as laptops (68% vs. 46%) and shampoo (59% vs. 28%).
• Students are willing to budget in one area and splurge in another.  While 91% of students surveyed agree with the statement "I have to be conscientious about my purchases so that I don't get into debt," 68% report they are willing to spend more money on quality brands. 
• Students' influence over family spending goes well beyond their own pocketbooks. Students surveyed report helping their families research and purchase products including entertainment (56%) and travel expenses including airplane tickets (37%).
• Students are avid media consumers and more connected than ever before.  Even in today's media-saturated world, media consumption grew by 30% year over year – reaching 49 hours per week among students. Driving this growth is increased time online, with students now spending 11 hours per week consuming online media via a mobile device (up 120% year over year).  

"Today's college students are savvy consumers who make and influence spending decisions every day," said Elizabeth Harz, vice president of business development at Chegg.  "Marketers who understand the student mindset and embrace new ways of engaging this audience are well positioned to establish lifelong customer relationships."

Chegg will reveal its original research at 11am ET today during Advertising Week in New York.  For a summary of key findings, please email [email protected].

Methodology:

The qualitative research consisted of 10 on and off-campus groups comprised of incoming college students to recent college graduates and was conducted with TRU Insight, a division of TNS in Chicago and Boston in May 2012.  The students were a mix of Chegg and non-Chegg users.  The online survey among 2,891 Chegg registered users was fielded in August 2012.

About Chegg:

Chegg, the student hub, is transforming the way millions of students learn by connecting them to the people and tools needed to succeed in college through homework help, course selection, eTextbook and textbook options as well as school and scholarship connections.  Students nationwide use Chegg 365 days a year to make learning easier, more accessible and more productive. As a part of the company's philanthropic efforts, Chegg is dedicated to its Chegg For Good program, which empowers students to be a catalyst for change on their campus, in their communities and around the world. Since its founding in 2007, Chegg's growth has made it one of Silicon Valley's most successful start-ups. From starting as a textbook rental company to evolving into the student hub, Chegg is enhancing education for millions of students by saving them time, saving them money and helping them get smarter.  For more information, visit www.chegg.com.

SOURCE Chegg