Cheap College Textbooks: Where to Buy, Sell and Rent
Cut textbook costs by renting textbooks rather than buying them, and make sure you compare prices from multiple sellers.
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Textbook costs can quickly add up. Students at four-year colleges spent an average of $1,290 on books and supplies for the 2024-25 school year, according to College Board.
Fortunately, there are ways to save. Renting textbooks or buying used editions can save up to 90% on the listed price. If you buy new, you might be able to recoup some costs by reselling books after the semester ends. Digital textbooks may be cheaper than hard copies, too. No matter which route you choose, compare prices from multiple sellers to get the best deal.
You can use student loans to cover textbook expenses, since they’re part of your total cost of attendance. But before you dip into your loans or stretch your college budget, check out the websites and strategies listed below to find the cheapest option.
» MORE: How to pay for college
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Is it better to rent or buy college books?
You can keep costs low by renting a textbook instead of buying it.
Buying used books and reselling them when you no longer need them is another way to reduce upfront costs and get cash back later. If the textbook is common or used every year or every semester, you’re more likely to resell it.
Whether you rent or buy a used book, ask your professor if an older edition is acceptable. Sometimes old versions might not include everything needed for your course.
It’s also worth asking your professor if you’ll need your own copy of the textbook. Some professors upload PDFs of the textbook pages you need, so you don’t have to buy the book. In other cases, you might be able to share a textbook with a classmate.
7 websites to buy, rent and sell textbooks online
You have plenty of options when it comes to places to buy, sell and rent textbooks, but buying online is the easiest way to compare prices. Many of these websites say you can save up to 90% on your textbook costs by buying or renting from them. Search by title, author or ISBN, which is the code that identifies specific book editions. When buying online, factor in shipping, handling and taxes to the total cost.
These sites are good places to start.
- AbeBooks.com. Buy used textbooks, many of which have free shipping. The site works with TextbookRush and Ziffit to buy back your books for cash.
- Amazon.com. Access free two-day shipping with Prime Student. You can buy, sell or rent ebooks and textbooks. You may get a new or used textbook, based on availability.
- BetterWorldBooks.com. Buy used textbooks. Many orders come with free shipping.
- BooksRun.com. Buy, sell or rent textbooks and ebooks. Shipping is free on all orders, and there’s a 21-day return window.
- CheapestTextbooks.com. Buy new and used textbooks, or rent one. You can also sell books and ship for free.
- Chegg.com. Buy or rent books and digital editions with 21-day returns in case you drop or switch classes.
- Sellback.GoTextbooks.com. This site will buy your textbooks. Enter your book’s ISBN to get an instant quote.
No matter where you get your college books, compare multiple stores and online marketplaces to get the lowest prices.
Other ways to sell college textbooks
If you don’t want to go through an online textbook marketplace like the ones listed above, consider these other reselling strategies:
- Post about your textbook in a social media group for students in your class or major. You could also try posting in a group for students in the year below you.
- Ask the course’s professor or teaching assistants if they can put you in touch with students who may want to buy your textbook next semester.
- Check if your college bookstore (or a bookstore near your campus) will buy your textbook.
- List the textbook on general online marketplaces like eBay, Facebook marketplace and Craigslist.
- Ask around different student groups and clubs you're a part of to see if anyone will need textbooks for an upcoming semester.
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