What’s up with Textbook pricing?

Parents and students are asking "Why do Textbooks cost so much"? According to old campus newspapers, parents and students were concerned with the cost of textbooks back in the 1930’s, when the average textbook cost about $3. Things haven’t changed. The concern is still there. Here’s some information parents and college students need to know about textbook pricing.

Where the 'New' Textbook Dollar Goes

A large portion of each dollar spent for a new textbook is used to produce that book and bring it to market. Following is a breakdown of each dollar of a textbook's price, based on data from NACS College Store Industry Financial Report 2003.

In reality, the bookstore doesn’t make much on textbooks. On average, 64.8% of the sticker price on new books goes back to the publisher, mostly to cover development of the book and normal business expenses. The author gets about 11.6% in royalties. The freight company that shipped the book gets 1.2%.

The rest goes to the bookstore, but out of that amount the store has to pay for store expenses. This includes staff wages and benefits, insurance and taxes, electricity, heat, water, office and storage equipment, rent payments, supplies and other expenses. In the end, on average, just 4.5 cents before taxes on every dollar you pay for new textbooks represents profit to the bookstore.

Bookstore revenues also extend to the NIACC Foundation to help with student scholarships, activities and expenses.

The College Bookstore provides as many used books as possible for students to purchase. Many factors can affect the availability of used books. College stores work with textbook wholesale companies to secure additional copies of used books and they also participate in buyback events, where books are purchased from students for resale. New textbooks are typically not ordered until the used book market has been exhausted.

Textbook orders are based on the selection made by the professors who spend many hours reviewing dozens of books to find just the right ones for your courses. However, the need for higher education to stay current with changing information compels frequent revisions to textbooks. This is more significant in some fields, like technology related disciplines, than in others.

When a publisher comes out with a new edition or "bundles" the material, these are not available to order used and must be ordered from the publishers. The use of "bundles" (textbooks packaged with some combination of add-ons) is increasing because the number of faculty requiring these packages for their classes is increasing.

If you’re considering buying online or getting the text from another source, make sure to read the fine print and ask yourself the following questions before you place your order.

The mission of the College Bookstore is to provide appropriate goods and services at a reasonable and competitive price, to reflect an image of competence and quality, and to take an active role in promoting and supporting NIACC and student events through sponsorships, advertising, displays, personal appearances and other appropriate means.

We’re here to partner with parents and students to enhance and support education. Contact the College Bookstore at Niaccbooks@netconx.net with any questions.