A recently released study has found that the majority of college undergraduates forego purchasing required materials for classes because of rising textbook prices.
The U.S. Public Interest Research Group surveyed 1,905 undergraduates and found seven out of 10 students have gone without textbooks to save money. According to the study, textbook prices have risen 22 percent in the last four years.
So, how are textbook publishers and university bookstores getting away with this quadruple inflation?
PIRG states that bundling is one of the most successful tricks of the trade. A practice familiar to many students, bundling the strategy used when bookstores package the main text with CDs, codes, dictionaries, or other supplemental materials – making the consumer purchase products he or she does not need.
The study also cites the publishing of new editions of textbooks. Publishers frequently release new editions every few years, even if there is little to no change in the material.
According to College Board, students spend $1,137 a year on course materials alone. When added to the mandatory tuition fees, rent and every day living expenses that students and their families must pay, it is no surprise that textbooks can be viewed as an optional expense when the bills start rolling in.
The University is not exempt from this national trend, according to some students.
Lauren Breland, a senior majoring in psychology, said she has taken classes without the required books every year.
“And you know what? Never made a difference,” Breland said. “Textbooks are overrated.”
Katie Fay Kines, a recent UA graduate who studied food and nutrition, said she agrees with Breland. Kines, who graduated summa cum laude from the Honors College and is currently pursuing graduate work at UAB, said she never felt going without books was detrimental to academic success.
“I usually didn’t buy [the] high-priced books that were required for classes,” she said. “Instead I just made sure that I went to every class and took good notes.”
However, some students may be hesitant to attend class without the text the teacher has required. For these students, there are several options to save money.
Sites like Chegg.com allow students to rent textbooks at lower prices, though students who frequently highlight or make notes in their books may be hesitant about this option. Amazon frequently sells textbooks at prices lower than the competition, if you are patient enough to allow for shipping time. Or simply visit several different stores in your area and compare prices before making your big purchases.
In the end, however, some students believe that success in the classroom is not dependent on a grossly inflated book.
“Honestly, most professors won’t test you on anything they don’t go over in class. I go every day and pay attention,” Breland said. “Relying on the book is dangerous anyway – there’s so much information. Trying to memorize all the details without a guide is unrealistic.”
“You can get by without books, I’m sure of it,” Kines said.
