College
students spent an average of $602 on required course materials during the
entire 2015-16 academic year. Adding in school supplies and technology items
needed for coursework, their total expenditure averaged about $1,302, according
to the Student Watch 2015-16 survey report.
Students
would still rather study from print materials—easier to use, navigate, and
read, according to survey results—but they will turn to digital materials if
required by their instructors or if the price is lower than print. Students
also like the portability of digital materials.
Rented
materials, both print and digital, continue to be a popular option with
students.
The two-wave
study (fall 2015 and spring 2016) yielded more than 42,000 responses from
students at 56 institutions. The study, conducted by NACS’s research arm,
OnCampus Research, focused on students’ acquisition and use of course
materials.
A free
webinar, underwritten by the NACS Foundation, will provide an overview of the
Student Watch data. Elizabeth Riddle, director of OnCampus Research, will
highlight the year’s key findings at 1 p.m. Eastern on Thursday, July 14.
Advance registration is required in order to receive login instructions.