In spring 2019, ISU students were surveyed about how the cost of textbooks affects them. The observations from the survey below show the cost of textbooks affect ISU students in a number of ways.

35% of students spent $101-$300 on required textbooks and other course materials, 38% spent $301-$500.

73% of students did not acquire a required textbook or other course material due to cost.

89% of students delayed purchasing a textbook or other course material due to cost.

69% purchased a required textbook or course materials that they felt the instructor did not use.

61% were required to purchase an access code, at an average estimated cost of $121.31 per access code.

Students use different funding sources to pay for textbooks and other course materials: 32% of students use credit cards, 13% use loans, 23% use work money, and 21% use money provided by family.

Students use a variety of sources to acquire textbooks and other course materials: 18% use Barnes & Noble College, 22% use Alamo II, 28% use Amazon, 17% use Chegg, and 7% use Milner Library.