Cost Sensitive Students are Spending Less on Course Materials

OBERLIN, OH July 5, 2016 - Students are smart when it comes to keeping college costs in check. Take course materials, for example: Today’s college students are spending less on materials than students were two, three, four or even eight years ago, but still buying almost the same number of materials.

According to the latest National Association of College Stores (NACS) Student Watch: Attitudes & Behaviors toward Course Materials 2054-2016 report, students spent an average of $77 per course in 2015-16. The annual average of student spending on course materials has decreased 14% since 2007, from $701 to $602 (see chart).

Student Spending on Required Course Materials

Source: National Association of College Stores

Today’s students are being more strategic in selecting the materials they need. They’re taking advantage of lower-cost options—such as used books, rentals, digital course materials and open educational resources (OER).

About The National Association of College Stores
The National Association of College Stores (NACS) is the professional trade association representing the $10 billion collegiate retailing industry. NACS represents nearly 4,000 campus retailers and approximately 1,000 industry-related companies that supply course materials and other merchandise and services to campus stores. NACS provides education and other resources that help its member stores support student success, the campus experience, and the academic missions of higher education institutions. NACS is headquartered in Oberlin, Ohio. Additional information can be found online at www.nacs.org.