With GTA 6 launching at $79.99 for the Standard Edition, plenty of players are hunting for legitimate ways to shave a few dollars off. One of the better options going around applies to a specific group: a GTA 6 student and teacher discount that reportedly drops the price by 20%, bringing a $79.99 pre-order down to roughly $60.79. If you're enrolled in school or work in education, this is likely the single biggest saving available on a launch-day copy. Here's how it works and how to make sure you qualify.
What the Discount Is
According to deal reports, Target is offering eligible students and teachers 20% off a GTA 6 Standard Edition pre-order through its verified education offers. Applied to the $79.99 list price, that's a saving of about $16 — landing the game near $60.79 before tax.
A few important caveats up front, since deals like this change and vary:
- The discount has been reported around the Standard Edition, not necessarily the $99.99 Ultimate Edition.
- Retailer promotions can shift, sell out, or carry fine print. Treat the exact figure as reported and confirm at checkout.
- Eligibility requires verification (more on that below).
How Student and Teacher Verification Usually Works
Retailer education discounts almost always run through a third-party verification service. The typical flow looks like this:
- Create or log into your retailer account (for this deal, a Target account and its Target Circle membership).
- Verify your status as a current student or a K-12/college educator, usually by confirming a school email address or uploading proof of enrollment/employment through the verification partner.
- Receive a unique promo code or automatic discount tied to your verified account.
- Apply it to your eligible pre-order before checkout.
Verification is generally free, and once you're verified you often unlock ongoing education pricing on other purchases too — not just GTA 6.
Is It Worth Pre-Ordering Now?
That depends on how you feel about pre-orders in general. GTA 6 is not a game likely to sell out digitally, so there's no scarcity pressure. But a locked-in 20% discount is real money, and for students in particular, $60.79 versus $79.99 is a meaningful gap. If you were going to buy at launch anyway and you qualify, the math is straightforward.
Before you commit, it's worth reading our broader guidance on how to pre-order GTA 6 and what the pre-order bonuses actually include, so you're comparing total value and not just sticker price.
Other Ways to Save on GTA 6
If you don't qualify for the education discount, you still have options:
- Retailer gift-card promos. Some stores periodically bundle bonus store credit with big pre-orders.
- Cash-back and rewards programs. Credit-card cash back or store loyalty points can quietly trim the effective cost.
- Standard vs. Ultimate math. Decide whether the Ultimate Edition extras justify the extra $20 for you. If you're unsure, the Standard Edition plus a possible later upgrade may be smarter.
- Physical vs. digital. Remember that physical boxes at launch reportedly contain a download code rather than a disc, which affects resale value — something we cover in our physical vs. digital breakdown.
A Word on "Too Good to Be True" Deals
Any time a hyped game generates discount buzz, scammers follow. Legitimate education discounts run through official retailer accounts and recognized verification partners — they never require you to buy a code from a random third-party seller or hand over login details on an unfamiliar site. If a "90% off GTA 6" offer lands in your inbox, it's a scam. Our guide to avoiding GTA 6 pre-order scams has the full rundown of red flags.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much is GTA 6 with the student discount?
Reports indicate a 20% education discount at Target drops the $79.99 Standard Edition to about $60.79 before tax. Confirm the exact price at checkout, as promotions can change.
Do teachers qualify for the GTA 6 discount too?
Yes — the reported offer applies to both verified students and educators. Verification is typically handled through the retailer's education-offer partner.
Does the discount work on the Ultimate Edition?
The reported deal has been tied to the Standard Edition. There's no confirmation it extends to the $99.99 Ultimate Edition, so check the offer terms before assuming.
Is this an official Rockstar discount?
No. This is a retailer-level education promotion, not an official Rockstar price cut. The base price remains $79.99 / $99.99 as confirmed at pre-order launch.
The Bottom Line
If you're a student or teacher, the reported 20% Target discount is the most painless way to save on GTA 6 right now — roughly $60.79 for a game everyone else pays $79.99 for. Verify your status through the official flow, confirm the price at checkout, and steer clear of any "deal" that doesn't run through a legitimate retailer account. For everyone else, rewards programs and smart edition choices are your best levers.