How to budget for your college textbooks

According to College Board, books and supplies at a four-year college cost approximately $1,240 each year, which makes it worthwhile to consider your options in obtaining your textbooks.

First, consider the pros and cons between buying, renting, or going digital — we’ve broken them down in the table below. Then, take a look at three common college textbooks and how their costs compare when you’re buying vs. renting, and opting for used, new, or digital.

The Art of Public Speaking by Stephen E. Lucas (13th Edition)

Chemistry: The Central Science by Theodore E. Brown, H. Eugene LeMay, Bruce E. Bursten, Catherine Murphy, Patrick Woodward, Matthew E. Stoltzfus (14th Edition)

Social Psychology by David G. Myers and Jean M. Twenge (13th Edition)

Note: Prices were pulled from Amazon.com in December 2020.