Do I Really Need the Latest Edition of a Textbook?

girl standing holding textbooks

The high price of college textbooks is well known. The commonly cited statistic claims that their prices have risen over 186% (about twice the rate of inflation) between 1986 and 2004, and there are a number of reasons for this substantial price hike. For example, until recent legislation changed circumstances, most professors were unaware of [...]

To Buy or To Rent, That is the Question…

young woman reading textbook

With the astronomical price of buying new textbooks, thousands of college students are looking for alternative sources to either buy used or to rent textbooks on sites such as Amazon.com and Chegg.com. My first semester of college, I ended up buying some of my books used from the bookstore and some from online sites. Although [...]

Know Your University’s Textbook Refund Policy

couple of college students

You’ve just spent $160 on a Biology textbook for the upcoming Spring semester. However, two weeks into the semester, you realize Biology is not the course for you and you immediately fill out a “drop” form. You head on over to the bookstore to return that dreaded Biology book that cost you two day’s salary. [...]

The Story Behind the High Cost of Textbooks

boy staring at bookshelves

Here’s a question any college student could probably answer: What category of items have increased in price at nearly quadruple the rate of most finished goods? If you guessed “textbooks,” you’re right! Averaging $900 per year and adding 20% to already rising tuition costs, textbooks are a significant part of the cost of higher education. [...]

Returning Your Rented Textbooks? Be Sure to Follow These Guidelines

college piggy bank on calculator

Renting textbooks is becoming a booming industry for college students looking to save money at the beginning of each semester. Buying textbooks for classes often leaves students paying hundreds of dollars for overpriced books they may crack only once or twice for a course. While purchased textbooks can be sold back at the end of [...]

Tired of Paying for a Book You Will Barely Use? Buy per Chapter

bookshelves overflowing with books

Any college student can adamantly describe their frustration to learn that they’ve just paid $90 for a textbook in which they will only be using chapters 5, 6, and 7. While there are many professors that do use material from every chapter in a textbook, you will find many who simply pick and choose a [...]

Pros and Cons of Purchasing Digital Copies of College Textbooks

digital or print textbooks?

With the technological advancements of Kindles, iPads, and other e-readers, many foreshadow that textbooks will eventually be offered mainly as digital copies. With the invention of such devices, students can simply download a digital copy of their required textbooks (often for a fraction of the cost) and view the content on the device. While the [...]

Could Adopting An Open Source Textbook System Save Students Money?

man studying with laptop

The average college student will spend upwards of $900 this year on textbooks. For a community college student, this $900 may equal half of their tuition. For a public four year institution student, this may equal 20% of their tuition. With no end in sight for the continual rise of textbook prices, the U.S. PIRG [...]

Mistakes Students Make When Selling Back Their Textbooks

college girls sitting on grass

At the end of the semester most students cannot wait to unload their textbooks and get some cash to spend on a summer vacation. However, there are a few common mistakes that students make each semester that costs them a sale or money. First off, consider the condition of the book before attempting to sell [...]

Find & Rent Your College Textbooks Online

college girl pondering over thoughts

If every semester you go through the hassles of purchasing overly priced textbooks from the bookstore, only to find that your buyback price is significantly lower than the original purchase price or that it isn’t eligible for return, you should consider renting your textbooks. Recently gaining a lot of attention, renting a textbook is a [...]