Important Facts

It’s a fact.

Since 1986, textbook prices have increased by 186 percent – while inflation has risen by 72 percent.1

  • According to research conducted by Nebraska Book Company through Harris Interactive, 50% of students state the cost of textbooks and materials causes “an Extremely Difficult” or “Very Difficult” financial burden for them.
  • The General Accounting Office reports the average annual cost of textbooks and supplies is $898 at four-year institutions.2

Practices such as an increased frequency of new editions, bundling and built-in obsolescence have made it difficult for students to keep up.

  • According to the 2005 GAO report, “Publishers told us that textbooks are generally revised every three to four years, compared with cycles of four to five years that were standard 10 to 20 years ago.”
  • In the Harris Interactive study, 40% of students indicated that material that comes shrink-wrapped with textbooks (bundling) is either “Not Useful at All” or “Not Very Useful.”
  • Students reject the use of bundling material by a margin of two to one.

Please watch this demonstration to learn the true costs of textbooks for students. Play

There is a smart solution.

We can make a difference for our students by:

  • improving the rate of early adoptions.
  • informing students and faculty about the buy-back process.
  • ensuring textbook merchandise practices are appropriate and meet the goals of higher learning.

A solid used textbook program on every U.S. campus will give students more purchasing power – helping them save 75 percent on their textbook costs when they buy at the local bookstore.

1 GAO Report, July 2005.
2 GAO Report, page 2, July 2005.