Did you know that students at public colleges pay upwards of $1,375 for textbooks and supplies every year, while those at private institutions shell out around $1,200. The average cost of textbooks has risen three times faster than the rate of inflation—but it's time for change. According to the National Association of College Stores, the average college textbook was $57 for the academic year in 2010. Textbooks are valuable and it makes sense for them to have a hefty price. The news headlines scream that college students spend “$1,200 a year on textbooks” and something must be done about the high cost of college. How the Average Cost of Textbooks is Increasing: Infographic. HOWEVER, this article asks entirely the wrong question: it’s not about how much students spend, it’s how much textbooks cost that matters. In defense of the College Board figure… First, agreed 100% that it is not a perfect measure and often gets misquoted. The national average cost of books and supplies hovers around $1,100 per year (considered as two semesters), with that figure continuing to rise with inflation and the rising cost of college textbooks. In fact, the College Board puts the annual cost of books and materials at $1,168. Not buying books isn't an option if you plan to succeed in college, but paying for the books may also seem impossible. New data shows that students have spent an average of 23% less on college textbooks and other course materials for the fall semester of 2019 than they did at the same time last year. The price of college has become a hot-button issue at both the state and national level, but data has been scarce about how much, beyond tuition, California students actually spend on the housing, food, textbooks and other non-tuition items that they also need to earn a degree.. On Thursday, a state survey offered some answers: about $2,000 per month — and many say it’s a struggle. College textbooks can easily cost more than $1,000 a year, and this burden can sometimes be a significant impediment to academic success for financially strapped students who can't handle the cost. Take a look at some data to get a sense of how your college choices might affect the average cost of college tuition. Unfortunately, what students are faced with is anything but ordinary. Higher education is not evenly distributed by type of institution or by student enrollment. This means a book purchased in 1978 for $25 would now cost $203. The latest available data (2016-2017) from the National Center for Education Statistics reports a total of 4,360 colleges and universities in the United States. The College Board found that the average American student spends around $1,200 every year on textbooks and class supplies. Since 1978, they note, college textbooks have risen 812 percent — more than twice as fast as the price of a new home. Average cost of college books declines slightly The National Association of College Stores (NACS) says the average college student will spend $655 on textbooks each year, but with a single textbook easily costing as much as $300, that total can easily be much higher. This price depends on the curriculum, your school and the exact textbook. Of that number, the majority [63%] are private, while 37% are public institutions. For academic year 2018-2019, the average undergraduate tuition & fees is $5,906 for in-state students and $19,082 for out-of-state students. Since average room and board costs don't vary much by school type (i.e., public and private, in state versus out of state), tuition and fees will give you the best comparison point. In defense of the College Board figure… First, agreed 100% that it is not a perfect measure and often gets misquoted. Higher Education Retail Market Facts & Figures. Our infographic will give you a snapshot of the decline of the textbook empire and a vision for the future of educational publishing. Books and Supplies. The total cost of a textbook at the college level is usually between $30 and $240. Following table and charts illustrate tuition and fees by school controls and levels. HOWEVER, this article asks entirely the wrong question: it’s not about how much students spend, it’s how much textbooks cost that matters. Not buying books isn't an option if you plan to succeed in college, but paying for the books may also seem impossible. The heavy cost of textbooks. The real problem is how fast the cost of textbooks are rising in price. Yes, college is expensive, but the frequently cited “$1,200” number is misleading. College textbooks can easily cost more than $1,000 a year, and this burden can sometimes be a significant impediment to academic success for financially strapped students who can't handle the cost. That means, students at public colleges pay 20 percent more than private college students. We all know college tuition and fees are out of control, but there’s one school expense that you may not discover until it’s too late.