Textbook prices continue to soar at students' expense
By Whitney Garrison | August 29, 2003Although the University Web site estimates textbook cost per semester at $500, many students say they hope that figure is a generous estimate. Textbook prices this year are higher than ever with an average price of $72.83 per book, according to the College Board. Some students try to cut costs by buying used books, but many professors insist students purchase the latest edition. Third-year College student Jean Langley, a psychology major, said her books totaled over $550, mainly because the books were all brand new. All of her professors "said to use the new edition and not the old because there's substantial new material and we're tested on the new edition," she said. Langley's roommate had better luck buying textbooks online. "When I went to the bookstore and found out my books for this semester were almost $600, I nearly flipped," third-year College student Karen Otto said.
