From essentials to decorations, the cost of moving in stacks up quickly
By Max Davis-Housefield
Sept. 18, 2026 9:55 a.m.
American college students and their families are expected to spend $103.5 billion on back-to-school shopping in 2026, and students moving into UCLA dorms for the first time are finding that dorm essentials are a hidden cost in the college experience. The Daily Bruin explains these costs by talking to experts and students to understand the move-in experience.
Filmed by: Max Davis-Housefield
Edited by: Max Davis-Housefield
Executive Producers: Max Davis-Housefield, Nina Ali and Nora Gallagher
Davis-Housefield is the 2026-27 Video director. He was previously a 2024-25 assistant Video producer. Davis-Housefield is a fourth-year economics and public affairs student from Davis.
Davis-Housefield is the 2026-27 Video director. He was previously a 2024-25 assistant Video producer. Davis-Housefield is a fourth-year economics and public affairs student from Davis.
