Searching for the perfect backpack can feel a lot like playing the part of Goldilocks in her escapade at Papa and Mama Bears’ house. One is too small, the other too big, and another is just way overpriced. And a backpack and all its contents can get pricey.

Depending on the quality they’re looking for, the size they need and what they’re willing to pay for it, the average student can expect to spend anywhere between $15 and 100 on a backpack.

Secondary education major, senior Kelly Heincker says he spent roughly $90.

But the cost doesn’t stop there.

Once students find the right backpacks, they have to fill them with pencils, pens, highlighters, paper, notebooks, calculators, etc.

“I’ll say $70 all together,” elementary education major, senior Courtney Landrian said.

For sophomore Dallas Welch, double major in music theatre and vocal performance, the cost was similar, around $50

Textbooks also increased the bill.

“I think generally the rent offer is popular for books outside of the major,” text floor coordinator Tony Calvert said.

Calvert said most students tend to buy books for their field and rent the others. Calvert also said that students will buy used often.

“I bought them all new and literally spent $520,” Landrian said. “Some of the books can be helpful after I graduate.”

Welch said he didn’t have to buy books, as he’s majoring in dance. However, his dancewear checks in between $200 and 300. Heincker said it would cost between $350 and 500 to replace his bag and all of its contents, depending on the day. His books alone cost a grand total of $730.

For some students, even that number doesn’t compare to what they would lose if their bag were to go missing.

“Probably $800 or 900,” mechanical engineering student, junior Phillip Rivera said. “Assuming the price for the textbooks I bought and rounding off for my computer and phone.”

Computer science major, junior Faith Slaymaker said her estimated expenses round off at a whopping $2,000.

“The computer is the most expensive,” she said. “But my textbooks were around $400 and my graphing calculator was about $100. They’re all expensive but necessary.”