Apple Back to School Sale Offers $179 in Free Accessories

Apple's annual Back to School Sale is now underway, running from June 17 through September 30. While this event happens every year, the specific promotions are different for 2025. When you purchase a qualifying iPad, MacBook, or iMac through the Apple Education Store, you can receive an accessory valued up to $179, or apply up to $179 off a more expensive accessory. The Education Store offers discounts of up to 10% off standard pricing for faculty, staff, students, and parents of currently enrolled students, and these promotional items can be combined with that education discount.

Apple's Back to School Sale is Live

Apple Back to School Promotion is Active

Receive up to $179 towards Apple accessories, such as a pair of AirPods, with the purchase of an eligible iPad, MacBook, or iMac using an Education Store discount.See it at Apple Store

Please note that not all of the latest iPad models qualify for this promotion. The specific offers are outlined below:

Purchase an iPad Air or iPad Pro, and Choose From:

Apple Pencil Pro (save $119)AirPods 4 (save $129)AirPods Pro 2 for $129 (save $129)Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 11-inch for $130 (save $119)Magic Keyboard for iPad Air 13-inch for $180 (save $119)Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 11-inch for $160 (save $119)Magic Keyboard for iPad Pro 13-inch for $210 (save $119)

Purchase a MacBook Air or MacBook Pro, and Choose From:

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (save $179)AirPods Pro 2 for $70 (save $179)Magic Mouse (save up to $99)Magic Trackpad (save up to $149)Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numpad (save up to $199)

Purchase an iMac, and Choose From:

AirPods 4 with Active Noise Cancellation (save $179)AirPods Pro 2 for $70 (save $179)

Apple's Back to School Sale is Among the Year's Top Apple Promotions

If you prefer to buy your Apple products directly from Apple and you qualify for an Education discount, the Back to School promotion is arguably the best time to shop. The value of these deals is comparable to what we typically see during Apple's Black Friday sales, with the key difference being that Black Friday offers are generally available to all shoppers, not just the education community. While the Education Store already provides about a 10% discount on most iPads, MacBooks, and iMacs, this sale lets you add an accessory you may have been planning to purchase anyway. Even if you opt for a premium accessory that requires an additional payment, it's still a great value. For instance, paying an extra $120 to get the AirPods Pro 2 with an iPad purchase still beats the top Amazon Prime Day 2025 deal, which offered the same AirPods Pro for $129.

Are iPhones Included in the Back to School Sale?

Unfortunately, the Apple Education Store has never provided discounted pricing or promotional gifts for iPhone purchases, and 2025 continues this policy. If an iPhone discount were to ever appear, it would be major news. For the best iPhone deals, you are better off leveraging carrier-specific sign-up offers and trade-in credits rather than shopping the Apple Education Store. The optimal time to buy an iPhone is typically in the fall.

Which iPad Model is Right for You?

With Apple's wide range of iPad models, choosing the right one for your needs can be difficult. The lineup consists of four main models: the standard iPad, iPad Air, iPad Pro, and iPad Mini. If you're simply looking for a tablet, the standard base iPad offers the best value. However, if screen quality and processing power are important, we recommend upgrading to the iPad Air, which features a powerful M-series processor. The M3 chip is more than capable of handling any task, and pairing it with a keyboard can transform the Air into a laptop-like experience. For a more detailed analysis, check out our iPad guide to find the perfect model for you, or browse a list of all generations to see what older models are still available.

Which MacBook Model is Right for You?

Apple's MacBooks have a well-deserved reputation for being among the best laptops available. They offer consistently reliable performance, sleek designs, and superior software, ensuring you get a high-quality product built to last. If you're already invested in the Apple ecosystem with an iPhone, iPad, and Apple Watch, choosing a MacBook over a MacBook alternative is the most logical choice. Deciding on the exact model for your needs can be challenging, so we've created this guide to help. In summary, the MacBook Air is the most popular model for good reason, but creative professionals seeking a primary workstation should consider upgrading to the MacBook Pro.