The cost of college continues to rise, and one element of the rising cost of college is the rise in the cost of textbooks. According to information from the College Board, the average cost of textbooks and school supplies for the 2020-2021 academic year is $1,240. In 2019, a report by educational products company Follett found that textbook prices had increased 812% since 1978.
While a little over $1,200 seems like a drop in the bucket next to tuition costs, the reality is that students can still struggle to cover those costs. in fact the us The Public Interest Research Group (PIRG) found that 65% of students do not purchase textbooks and that food insecure students were more likely than their peers not to purchase access codes to digital course materials.
You are reading: College books should be free
These numbers have some claiming that all college textbooks should be free. but does that make sense? Should college textbooks be free? Let’s take a look at some of the issues around textbook costs and discuss whether college textbooks should be free.
why are college textbooks so expensive?
With the rise of discount textbook sellers, it seems counterintuitive that course materials are so much more expensive today. however, one way around this is to use access codes in conjunction with physical course materials.
according to pirg, about four out of 10 college courses require access codes with textbooks. These access codes provide additional materials, such as tests and workbooks. after access codes expire, they cannot be used. later students can get the textbook, usually at a discount, but access codes are not available.
students rarely get to choose what they buy, and there is limited competition in the textbook market. this situation also contributes to the increase in the cost of textbooks. Basically, textbook publishers can charge whatever they want and bundle access codes together so the next student has to buy the whole package, without worrying about the discounted price.
See Also: Kaplan vs Princeton Review Books- Which is The Ultimate MCAT Prep Package? – Exam Genius
Between cost concerns (especially during the recent pandemic) and a lack of reliable internet access, it’s no surprise that 21% of students didn’t buy access codes, even though that meant an automatic reduction in their score because they could not use necessary materials.
so what is the answer? some think that every textbook should be free.
When discussing why college textbooks should be free (or not), it’s important to consider the pros and cons.
pros of free college textbooks
- more affordable for students. college tuition and other costs continue to be a barrier for students, and adding free college textbooks could reduce some of the burden.
- improved completion rate. according to some professors, free college textbooks and course materials result in better results. higher completion rates and better grades for students are the results of free college textbooks.
- use that money for living costs. In situations like the global pandemic, textbook costs put pressure on student budgets and they may skip meals or forget other expenses. free textbooks would free up the budget for other bills.
- textbooks are more expensive than other books. In many cases, the cost of producing a textbook is more expensive than other types of books. meeting certain rigorous standards means higher costs.
- textbook publishers could go out of business. concerns of an even smaller market could result in higher prices and even less competition if free textbooks drive publishers out of business. publishers only make money on new books sold, if there is no incentive to publish new books it can cause problems in your bottom line.
Trying to figure out where to put the cost of free college textbooks could be a daunting task, but it might be possible with more open source educational resources, as long as quality control is maintained to ensure that the textbooks be up to the task .
Another way to keep the cost of course materials down, even if you don’t agree why textbooks should be free, is to require publishers to offer access codes separate from the physical textbook. . that would reduce the total cost of the pool. Publishers may not make money from the sale of new textbooks, but they do make money from the access codes.
Some teachers are also becoming more cost sensitive. When instructors pay attention to the course materials they choose, they may decide to use textbooks that don’t come with access codes or focus on open source materials that are free.
There is no easy solution to this problem, and the cost of textbooks, along with the rising cost of other aspects of higher education, could increasingly hit low-income students in need. college to change their socioeconomic status.
p>
how to save money on college textbooks
See Also: Best DAT Prep Books (2022) | Expert Reviewed & Rated
Whether or not you think the textbook should be free, the reality is that you may have to pay for course materials. As a result, it’s important to find ways to save money on college textbooks. Here are some ways to save money while others worry whether college textbooks should be free:
- Use your school library. In many cases, textbooks are available from your university library. figure out how to access textbooks that way. As long as you don’t need an access code, this can be a way to save money on the physical cost.
- Share materials with your classmates. When possible, consider sharing materials with classmates. you can spend less by combining resources and sharing costs equally. however, depending on how access codes are set up, this may not work for all courses.
- comparison. don’t assume the campus bookstore has the best price. look online to see if there is another less expensive option.
- look for textbook subscription services. In some cases, you may be able to access all of your textbooks for a lower monthly price through a subscription service. research your options to see what’s available.
- talk to your school about grants and other programs. Some schools have grants and other programs designed to help low-income students access course materials. If you can’t afford textbooks and access codes, talk to someone about your options. you may be able to get help.
Another option is to look for low-cost loans. If you’re taking out private loans to fill a funding gap, include your textbooks in the cost of attendance. An organization like Juno negotiates loan rates and terms, and if you take out a private education loan, they can also help you cover the costs of textbooks.
While some think college textbooks should be free to provide more access and support to more students, the reality is that it’s unlikely to happen any time soon. textbook publishers have a corner of the market and many people still value the idea of paying for various aspects of education.
College textbooks are likely to continue to rise unless more is done to make course materials more affordable, and that requires schools to scramble to find ways to help students pay for tuition. textbooks.
In the meantime, students can continue to look for ways to lower the cost of textbooks and advocate for change on their college campuses.
juno can help you find a student loan or refinance a loan at the most competitive rate possible. We gather groups of buyers and negotiate on your behalf with lenders to save you money on private student loans and refinance private student loans.
Join juno today to learn more about your affordable private student loan options to help you finance your degree.