By Rhejean King-Johnson |Staff Writer|
College textbook prices increase yearly.
Textbooks have increased 73 percent since 2006, according to Student Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs).
At CSUSB, a general education (GE) requirement is Communication (COMM) 120, Public Speaking.
The necessary book “The Art of Public Speaking” has a variety of price options.
At the Coyote Bookstore, it costs $199.50, $142.11 on Amazon and on Chegg, $103.99.
There are ways for students to receive low cost for books; they can buy a used book or rent from websites such as Amazon, Chegg and Textbook Rentals.
“The prices are a little bit outrageous for the amount of time we use them for,” said student Austin Bond.
College Board recommends that students budget about 1,200 dollars for higher level textbooks and supplies each year.
“If I don’t have money for the book, then I have to take the class without it,” said Dontaizha Castleberry.
Digital textbook copies are increasing, the prices are lower and more convenient.
There are over 180 open-source textbooks available for students to save money across the country.
These books are free online to download, written by faculty and peer-reviewed just like traditional textbooks, according to NBC News.
“If the book is too expensive, then I usually look for a PDF or I ask a friend,” said Castleberry.
This concern has reached more than just the students who attend school.
The artist Kanye West tweeted that textbook prices cost too much, after he spoke to a friend about the financial burden.
His tweet was retweeted over 71,000 times, according to The New York Times.
“We have to lower the prices of textbooks,” said West.
The rising prices of textbooks have led CSUSB students to be concerned about what classes they take each quarter.
Students have to consider the amount of money they are going to use for school and how many years it will take them to graduate.
Some college professors require textbooks for their courses, but many of them can be found online to make it easier for those who cannot afford them.
More students may be able to afford the textbooks—if they had more time to save for them.
“Professor’s should try to hold off on the textbooks, so students can have more time to buy the them,” said Bond.
A student felt that professors should provide alternative ways for students to get the required textbooks.
Students have found ways to get the textbook but they are not always available.
“One of my professors just put certain chapter we need on blackboard, so we didn’t have to buy the book,” said Holland Jones.
College is not getting easier with the textbook prices increasing and more professors requiring them.
With the financial aid refund, students still won’t have enough to pay for the books they need.
“Since these books are too expensive I don’t buy them unless I have to,” said Jones.
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