Course Material Affordability

Statewide Survey Finds Course Material Costs Shape Major Student Decisions Across Virginia

New findings show course material costs increasingly influence students’ choice of institution, major, and minor

A statewide survey of nearly 10,000 students reveals that the cost of course materials is playing an increasingly influential role in major academic decisions for students across Virginia. The 2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey was conducted by VIVA, Virginia’s academic library consortium, in partnership with Bay View Analytics. The survey examined how course material costs affect students’ educational choices, learning experiences, and academic outcomes across the Commonwealth.

Compared to results from a similar statewide survey conducted by VIVA in 2021, the 2025 findings show that a growing share of students are selecting their institution, major, and minor based in part on course material costs, underscoring the financial pressures facing students in higher education.

Key findings from the survey include:

Seven in ten students worry about affording required course materials for the current academic term.
The influence of course material costs on students’ choice of institution (53%), choice of major (24%), and choice of minor (13%) has increased since 2021.
Nearly all students (97%) report taking steps to reduce course material costs, including delaying purchases, sharing materials, or seeking lower-cost alternatives.

Reports

Key reports for the 2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey are available below and have passed Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.2 and PDF/UA requirements have been checked by PAC Version 24.4.4.0.

2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey: Executive Summary (pdf): Brief summary of the 2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey Key Findings.
2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey: Results & Findings (pdf): Detailed analysis of the 2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey, including the Key Findings and associated reports.
2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey: Identifying Students Most Impacted by Costs (pdf) : A detailed analysis of student respondents’ demographic and other characteristics, aiming to identify those whose academic success and well-being are most impacted by costs.
2025 Virginia Course Materials Survey: Student Experience with Inclusive Access (pdf) : An in-depth examination of Virginia students' opinions and experiences with programs that bundle course materials with tuition or student fees.

Majority of U.S. college students are worried about meeting their course material costs

Download report (pdf): https://www.bayviewanalytics.com/reports/2023_student_course_material_affordability.pdf.
Report as a webpage: https://www.bayviewanalytics.com/reports/2023_student_course_material_affordability.html.
Press release: Majority of U.S. college students are worried about meeting their course material costs

In a recent national survey, 71% of undergraduate students in the U.S. say that they're worried about meeting their course material costs for the current academic term; 30% saying they are “moderately” or “extremely” worried about meeting the costs. Over half of students who participated in the survey say that their course material costs per term is over $200.

7 in 10 students are worried about meeting their course materials costs.

These findings are from the latest national survey conducted by Bay View Analytics on course material affordability for U.S. college students. This national research project, supported by Affordable Learning PA (ALPA) and the Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI), was conducted in conjunction with the state of Pennsylvania’s comprehensive survey on course material affordability. The goal was to raise understanding of the impact of course material choices on students' academic and general life. This project builds upon the groundwork laid by the Virginia Course Materials Survey and the Florida Student Textbook and Course Materials Survey.

Course Material Affordability in Pennsylvania

Download report: Pennsylvania Course Materials Survey 2023 (PDF: Opens in a new window)
Download presentation slides: Pennsylvania Course Materials Presentation (PDF: Opens in a new window)

Bay View Analytics partnered with Affordable Learning PA (ALPA) and the Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI) for a comprehensive survey on course material affordability in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Course Materials Cost Survey collected 4,306 responses from students across 14 participating institutions during the spring and fall of 2023. Its goal is to understand the impact of course material choices on students' academic and general life..

This project builds upon the groundwork laid by the Virginia Course Materials Survey and the Florida Student Textbook and Course Materials Survey, expanding and updating the survey to address Pennsylvania students' unique needs and challenges. The survey also included a national sample, providing a benchmark for comparing Pennsylvania's response rates to the broader trends in course material costs, academic choices, and preferences. Key findings from the Pennsylvania-focused survey include:

Most Students Worry about Course Material Costs

Nearly half of all students surveyed expressed a "moderate" or "extreme" level of concern regarding course material costs, highlighting widespread anxiety over this issue.

Course Material Costs Adversely Affect Student Success

The survey revealed that course material costs have a detrimental impact on students' academic performance, leading to poor grades and forcing students to reduce the number of courses they take. Only 23% of students reported no impact on their academic career.

Course Material Costs Affect Academic Choices

Many students indicated that decisions shaping their academic careers, such as their choice of institution, major, and minor, are influenced by material cost responsibilities and expectations.

Students Actively Seek To Cut Costs

An overwhelming 98% of students have attempted at least one method to reduce the costs of course materials, including buying used copies, searching for a free online version of needed materials, or even going without required materials.

This project was made possible by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Department of Education. For more information about the survey, its findings, and the upcoming presentation event, please visit Affordable Learning PA (https://www.affordablelearningpa.org/).

Presentation: Online Learning Consortium Innovate 24

Course Materials Cost More than Money: Results from a Student Survey (PDF: Opens in a new window)
Date: April 24, 2024
The high cost of course materials in higher education has dire impacts on student success, impacting the courses students take, their choice of a minor or major, or even the institution they attend. Our presentation examines the student perspective on costs, and how organizations can help. The study collected 4,306 responses from students across Pennsylvania. Students were asked about their course load, course material costs, and financial aid coverage. The survey then asked students how the cost of course materials impacted their academic success, as well as larger life choices.
Download presentation slides (PDF: Opens in a new window)

Online Learning Consortium Webinar: Course Materials Cost Students More than Money

Download presentation slides: Course Materials Cost Students More than Money (PDF: Opens in a new window)
On-demand access to the webinar

A recent survey by Bay View Analytics shows that the majority of students are worried about meeting the cost of their course materials. Additionally, students report that the cost of course materials have academic consequences including getting poorer grades, failing courses, and even affecting their choice of major or institution.

This webinar reviews the results from the recently completed Pennsylvania student survey on course material costs. The survey also included a national sample, providing a benchmark for comparing Pennsylvania’s response rates to the broader trends in course material costs, academic choices, and preferences. The student responses are reviewed before moving into a panel discussion about the impact of these costs on students. The panelists also discuss how these results can help support advocacy efforts at institution and statewide.

Key Messages:

Student reported statistics on course material costs and their efforts to reduce the costs
The large and small impacts of course material costs on students
How statewide consortia and textbook affordability organizations can use the survey results to support their advocacy efforts

Speakers:

Julia Seaman, Ph.D., Research Director, Bay View Analytics
Elizabeth Nelson, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Molly Kennelly, Current Student and Director of Academic Affairs for Temple Student Government