College textbooks are notoriously pricey. According to CollegeBoard’s 2023 Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid, the average student spends about $310 annually on course materials alone, totaling approximately $1,250 each year for books and supplies at a public four-year institution. This significant expense often eats into the funds from student loans and other financial aid.

Although purchasing textbooks is essential for your courses, buying exclusively from your college bookstore can be costly. To save money, consider exploring third-party services and textbook sites for options to buy, rent, or sell your books.

Is it better to buy or rent textbooks?

Deciding whether to buy or rent textbooks depends on your needs and preferences. Renting is a more budget-friendly option compared to buying outright, but it comes with some limitations. For instance, you typically cannot write in rented textbooks, although highlighting may be permitted by some companies. If you like to take notes directly in your books, renting might not be the best choice.

Your decision also hinges on your field of study. If you anticipate needing a textbook for future reference, such as in STEM fields where technical books may be useful for your career or further education, purchasing the book might be more practical. Additionally, if your course requires access to a virtual textbook with a one-time access code, buying the book is usually necessary.

If you decide to buy, consider opting for a used textbook. While not as cost-effective as renting, used books are generally much cheaper than new ones. You might also want to check with your professor about the possibility of using an older edition, which can offer significant savings over newer versions.

Best places to buy college textbooks

Buying used college textbooks can greatly reduce your expenses, and several websites can help you find the best deals:

  • AllBookstores: This site aggregates textbook prices from various sources like Amazon and Chegg, allowing you to compare and select the best offer. It lists both new and used textbooks and shows how much you’ve saved per book to help you track your savings.
  • BIGWORDS: BIGWORDS acts as a search engine for textbook prices, comparing offers from multiple sites. It also searches for coupons, promotional offers, and discounts to maximize your savings.
  • BookFinder: BookFinder aggregates textbook prices from various retailers. Enter the author, title, or ISBN to search, and you can filter results by price, format (hardcover or softcover), and publication year.
  • CampusBooks.com: This site compares textbook prices from multiple sources, offering discounted new, used, and e-books. The unique BookBag tool lets you add up to five books to compare prices and find the best combination deal.
  • CollegeBooksDirect: CollegeBooksDirect allows you to search multiple ISBNs simultaneously and limits orders to available stock, avoiding back-ordered or out-of-stock items. You can also set a maximum price for your textbook search.
  • eBay: Known for a wide range of items, eBay is a hidden gem for textbooks. You can find nearly any textbook and set up alerts to be notified when your desired book is available at a discount. eBay also offers a generous return policy if the book doesn’t meet your expectations.
  • ThriftBooks: Ideal for finding rare or out-of-print editions, ThriftBooks has a vast inventory. You can narrow your search by price, condition, or format to find the best option for your needs.

Best places to rent college textbooks

Most college textbook rental sites offer flexible options, allowing you to rent books for a semester or a specific period, often at a lower cost than buying. Plus, you won’t need to worry about selling the book once your course is complete.

  • Amazon: Renting textbooks through Amazon is quick and convenient. Prime Student members can receive textbooks in as little as two days, ideal for tight schedules. If you decide to buy the book later, the rental fee can be applied toward the purchase.
  • BooksRun: BooksRun provides free delivery and returns on all textbook rentals, with a daily-updated inventory. You can extend your rental period or purchase books anytime, and the site also buys used textbooks.
  • Campus Book Rentals: This site functions as a search engine for renting new or used textbooks. Enter the book details to view prices and availability, or perform a bulk search using multiple ISBNs. Campus Book Rentals also offers live customer support, extended rental periods, and allows highlighting in the textbooks.
  • Chegg: Chegg offers affordable textbook rentals with flexible rental periods. If you need the books longer than anticipated, you can adjust the rental time or purchase the books outright. Free returns and the option to highlight in the textbooks are also included.
  • ECampus.com: ECampus.com provides free shipping on rentals over $35, making it easy to meet this threshold if you rent several books for a semester. The site has a rewards program for regular renters and offers three rental terms: quarter, semester, or short-term.
  • Your College or University Bookstore: Many college bookstores offer textbook rentals for required course materials, providing a convenient option for students.

How to save money on college books

Even if you choose to buy used books or rent them, covering textbook costs can still be a challenge. Here are some practical ways to save on course materials:

  • Opt for Digital Versions: Many textbooks are available in digital format, which is usually significantly cheaper than the physical copy. You can access these e-books through your computer or tablet.
  • Check Your School’s Library: If you only need the textbook for a specific part of your course, see if it’s available at your school library. Note that you may not be able to mark or highlight the book, and availability could be an issue if other students need it too.
  • Explore Scholarships: Some scholarships can be used to cover textbook expenses. For example, BookScouter offers a scholarship specifically for purchasing textbooks. Look for scholarships that provide funds for books and supplies.
  • Visit the Open Textbook Library: The Open Textbook Library offers over 1,100 textbooks that are freely available and openly licensed. You can download, read, and even edit these textbooks at no cost.

How to sell college textbooks

Once you’ve finished your college course, you might not want to keep your textbooks. Here are some ways to sell your used books:

  • College Library or Book Sale: Some colleges offer buyback programs or hold textbook sales where you can sell or trade in your books. You may also be able to sell your textbooks directly to the college library if they’re updating their collection.
  • Used Bookstores: Many used bookstores buy and stock second-hand textbooks. If you live near a college, check out local bookstores as they are more likely to accept textbooks.
  • BooksRun: This site provides quotes for your textbooks and covers the cost of shipping. After selling your book, you’ll receive payment via check or PayPal within four days.
  • GoTextbooks: A partner of Chegg, this site offers quotes for used textbooks and provides a free shipping label. Payment may take up to 14 days.
  • BookScouter: BookScouter allows you to get quotes from multiple vendors in one place, so you can sell your book to the highest bidder. They also offer $500 book scholarships to students.

In Conclusion

If you’re aiming to cut costs while attending school, exploring options for textbooks can lead to significant savings. Purchasing used books or renting them each semester can help you save hundreds of dollars. Plus, you could recoup some of your expenses by selling your textbooks at the end of the term.

To streamline the cost comparison process, ask your instructors for the ISBNs of the required materials. With these details, you can easily compare prices online and find the best deals.