Students sound off as textbook prices inflate
Experts say many factors play role in setting cost of books
Lisa Riordan
Issue date: 4/6/07 Section: News
"We know textbook prices are too high," said Steve Eckrich, General Manager and CEO of the OSU Bookstore. "We're doing everything we can to keep prices as low as possible."
College textbook prices have increased steadily over the past two decades, at twice the rate of annual inflation, according to a study performed by the Government Accountability Office.
The National Association of College Stores said that the average higher education student spent between $801 and $904 on textbooks during the 2005-06 academic year.
The GAO predicts that textbook prices will continue to rise, attributing this trend to the increased demand for CD-ROMS, specialized Web sites and other supplemental materials.
This technology drives up the cost for students, and forces some to spend more money than necessary.
"I don't even buy textbooks because they're so damn expensive," said Sam Holzman, a senior in exercise and sports science. "If I really need it, I just ask someone else. There's always going to be some sucker that buys the book."
Holzman said most of his courses are lecture-based and that the books only act as a secondary source.
"Why buy something I don't need, when I can just get it from the Internet anyway?" Holzman said.
Nathan Becker, a junior in English, said the prices have become ridiculous.
"Course packets are really expensive," Becker said. "At least for English classes, you pay $50 for a mishmash of things your professor threw together, and 50 bucks for a booklet of paper is silly."
Many students try to find a cheaper price online, only to find that shipping and handling negates any possible savings.
"I've bought books off of Amazon.com and it was cheaper," said Kerry Hart, a senior in dietetics. "But then there was also shipping and handling."
Other students complain that the book buyback process at OSU isn't always worth it.
Sean Ogle, a senior in finance, usually spends around $300 a term on books and receives about $80 back at the end of the term.
College textbook prices have increased steadily over the past two decades, at twice the rate of annual inflation, according to a study performed by the Government Accountability Office.
The National Association of College Stores said that the average higher education student spent between $801 and $904 on textbooks during the 2005-06 academic year.
The GAO predicts that textbook prices will continue to rise, attributing this trend to the increased demand for CD-ROMS, specialized Web sites and other supplemental materials.
This technology drives up the cost for students, and forces some to spend more money than necessary.
"I don't even buy textbooks because they're so damn expensive," said Sam Holzman, a senior in exercise and sports science. "If I really need it, I just ask someone else. There's always going to be some sucker that buys the book."
Holzman said most of his courses are lecture-based and that the books only act as a secondary source.
"Why buy something I don't need, when I can just get it from the Internet anyway?" Holzman said.
Nathan Becker, a junior in English, said the prices have become ridiculous.
"Course packets are really expensive," Becker said. "At least for English classes, you pay $50 for a mishmash of things your professor threw together, and 50 bucks for a booklet of paper is silly."
Many students try to find a cheaper price online, only to find that shipping and handling negates any possible savings.
"I've bought books off of Amazon.com and it was cheaper," said Kerry Hart, a senior in dietetics. "But then there was also shipping and handling."
Other students complain that the book buyback process at OSU isn't always worth it.
Sean Ogle, a senior in finance, usually spends around $300 a term on books and receives about $80 back at the end of the term.
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