Study Says Textbooks Are the Leading Financial Burden for Students, After Tuition

Morning Consult and Cengage have published a new study evaluating how much college students spend on course materials. They surveyed over 1,500 students, and found that after school tuition, textbooks and supplies are the largest financial burden, leading many to sacrifice basic needs to afford them.

According to the report, 85% of college students found that paying for course materials is financially stressful, as compared to 73% for housing, 69% for healthcare and 63% for food. A vast majority of students found textbooks to be overpriced, and about 40% of those students reported skipping meals in order to pay for their materials. About one-third of students also reported that they forego trips back home to visit family in order to afford the cost of textbooks.

The high price of course materials takes an even higher toll on minority students, according to the study. Students of color reported having an even more difficult time finding the resources to purchase textbooks. Female students reported making more sacrifices than men to afford their materials.

This is an original press release from UWire.