Recent studies of textbook prices show that U.S. college students are paying increasingly high costs to publishing companies despite complaints from students and academics alike.

According to a report released by the State Public Interest Research Groups (PIRGs) in January, textbook publishers frequently produce new editions of textbooks with minimal changes in order to make older versions obsolete and force students to buy new copies.  Of the faculty surveyed, 76 percent believe that new editions of books were justified no more than half of the time, with 40 percent saying they were "rarely" or "never" justified. 

These practices have led to a dramatic increase in textbook prices.  Wholesale prices of college textbooks have risen 41 percent since 1998, according to the National Association of College Stores, while nonacademic books have increased by only 20 percent.   

The PIRG study shows that University of California students will spend an average of $898 on textbooks for two semesters of classes during the 2003-04 academic year, a 24 percent increase since 1996-97.  Sen. Charles Schumer (D-N.Y.), who has proposed a $1,000 tax credit to cover the cost of college textbooks, has found that freshmen and sophomores at New York schools pay an average $922 per year for their textbooks. 

And, of course, more money from students does not necessarily mean more for professors.  "Author royalties depend on three parameters: royalty rate, sale price and unit sales," says Michael Lennie, a literary agent and authors’ attorney, according to the Text and Academic Authors Association.  Therefore, reducing textbook prices would not have to hurt the academic community.  "If there is a reduction in royalty rate, a corresponding reduction in sales price, but an offsetting increase in sales, the cumulative royalties will remain the same."  [Brian Dolber]

[February 19, 2004]