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Textbook Affordability


Affordability of textbooks and course materials is an important issue to many students, faculty, and staff at Illinois State University.


The Issues

Since the late 1970s, textbook prices have risen over 800%, or 3.2 times the rate of inflation.

The cost of textbooks has a potential negative impact on student success in higher education. Around 2/3 of students have not purchased a required textbook due to cost, and about 1/3 of students believed they received a poor grade due to textbook cost. An annual, nationwide survey reveals that a majority of faulty and department chair persons believe that “the cost of course materials is a serious problem” for their students.


This Website

This website provides information about available campus resources and strategies faculty and students can take to reduce textbook costs.

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