With textbook prices on the rise, many students are struggling to pay for them.
In 2022, The Education Data Initiative put out a report that revealed the average cost of supplies for full-time undergraduatescom was $1,240 per year. With high costs of tuition, housing, and meals, Bradley University students are feeling like textbooks are a broken system.
When asked about his experience purchasing textbooks Cooper Wilt, a Bradley Business major, felt there was a disconnect between professors and students.
“I feel like most of my professors don’t understand how hard it is to be a broke college student. A majority of my books this semester cost over seventy dollars. Although my major requires a lot of reading, I think the university could find an easier way to help students out when it comes to paying for books,” he said.
A report done by the Public Interest Research Groups (PIRG) in 2014 found that two-thirds of students had skipped buying required textbooks since they could not afford them.
“There have been times where I’ve splurged on a book for class and it rarely gets used. Now I’m a lot more cautious about which books I’m buying because I want to make sure it’s actually needed for the class,” said Wilt, “I wish my professors were more clear on which materials were necessary and which ones were not.”
Steven Comandini, a Bradley engineering major, noticed that a lot of the work done in classes is more practical than anything learned through a textbook.
“Since I’m an engineering major a lot of the work we do is hands-on. Although I understand the importance of [textbooks] when it comes to understanding concepts, it feels like I get a lot more out of the work we do in class. It ultimately comes down to the professor’s approach to their class.”
PIRG reported that 82% percent of students feel they would perform better in their courses if textbooks were free. If a student cannot find the money to buy books, it is more likely they will perform poorly in the course.
“I know Bradley does a good job making rentals available, but including textbook prices in tuition costs would take a lot of stress off of working students,” said Comandini.
It is clear that textbooks are not catered to the students they are supposedly made for. Although the system is operating fine as it is, it is apparent that Bradley can find a way to better support its students.