Fixing the Broken Textbook Market | U.S. PIRG Stay in touch Like Us Follow Us RSS Contact The Federation of State PIRGs You are here Home > Report: Make Higher Education Affordable Fixing the Broken Textbook Market Released by: U.S. PIRG Education Fund and the Student PIRGs Release date: Monday, January 27, 2014 > Download Report (PDF) The cost of college textbooks has skyrocketed in recent years. To students and families already struggling to afford high tuition and fees, an additional $1,200 per year on books and supplies can be the breaking point. As publishers keep costs high by pumping out new editions and selling books bundled with software, students are forced to forgo book purchases or otherwise undermine their academic progress. 1. High textbook costs continue to deter students from purchasing their assigned materials despite concern for their grades. 65% of students said that they had decided against buying a textbook because it was too expensive. The survey also found that 94% of students who had foregone purchasing a textbook were concerned that doing so would hurt their grade in a course. More than half of the students felt significant concern for their grade. 2. High textbook costs can have a ripple effect on students’ other academic decisions. Nearly half of all students surveyed said that the cost of textbooks impacted how many/which classes they took each semester. Students attend college seeking job preparation and/or degree attainment. Careful course selection is often necessary in order to yield the results that a student is seeking within the timeframe they are prepared to study. It is especially concerning that this process may be being undermined by high textbook costs. 3. Students want alternatives, expressing support for textbooks that are available free online and buying a hard copy is optional. 82% of students felt they would do significantly better in a course if the textbook was available free online and buying a hard copy was optional. This is exactly how open textbooks are designed. Not only is the open textbook an ideal alternative to a traditional textbook from a student point of view, but it is the only product in the marketplace that can directly challenge the high prices that publishers charge for new editions. These high prices, which outpace inflation, underpin the entire textbook marketplace, and drive market conditions for other alternatives such as the used book and rental markets. Overall, this study demonstrates that despite recent steps forward in the marketplace, high textbook costs will continue to be a problem for students unless the cost of high-priced, new editions of college textbooks comes down. Search form Search About About Us Our staff Our Work COVID-19 OUR RESPONSE Together Against COVID Test More, Save Lives PROTECT HEALTH CARE WORKERS Consumer Tips Healthy Living Stop the Overuse Of Antibiotics Hold the Antibiotics: Wendy's Get The Lead Out Healthy Farms, Healthy Families End the Nicotine Trap New Economy Right To Repair Work for Wellbeing Zero Hunger Transform Transportation Electric Buses for America Stop Highway Boondoggles Democracy For The People Big Money Out Modernizing The Vote The New Voters Project Zero Out Toxics Ban Roundup Ban Bee-Killing Pesticides Make It Toxic-Free Zero Waste Beyond Plastic Right To Repair PIRG Consumer Watchdog Protect Your Credit Product Safety Defend Net Neutrality Food Safety Consumer Tips Consumer Defense Defend the Consumer Bureau Make Higher Education Affordable High Value Health Care Blog Donate Jobs Newsroom Resources Reports Get our RSS feed Archives Blog Media Hits News Releases Reports Resources Donate Join Us Support Us Your donation supports U.S. PIRG’s work to stand up for consumers on the issues that matter, especially when powerful interests are blocking progress. donate today Consumer Alerts Join our network and stay up to date on our campaigns, get important consumer updates and take action on critical issues. Optional Member Code HOMEPAGE ABOUT US STAFF CONTACT US NEWS REPORTS DONATE PRIVACY POLICY ACTION CENTER MEDIA RESOURCES UNITED STATES PUBLIC INTEREST RESEARCH GROUP FEDERAL ADVOCACY OFFICE: 600 Pennsylvania Ave. SE, Ste. 400, Washington, DC 20003 | (202) 546-9707 MAIN OFFICE: 1543 Wazee Street, Suite 460, Denver, CO 80202 | (303) 801-0582 Member questions or requests: 1-800-838-6554 Visit the website of U.S. PIRG Education Fund, our sister 501(c)(3) organization. Like Us Follow Us RSS Contact U.S. PIRG is part of The Public Interest Network, which operates and supports organizations committed to a shared vision of a better world and a strategic approach to social change.