Digital textbook codes can cost as much as print materials: New York Times
New research by the Student Public Interest Groups in the US has found that digital textbook codes can cost as much as traditional textbooks. In a study of 10 colleges and universities, the average access code, sometimes only found in printed textbooks, cost $100 and increased to $126 when offered with a traditional text. The rise of digital access codes may make it harder for usual cost-cutting alternatives, such as sharing, and could be prohibitive for some students. Professors will come under increasing pressure to match the curriculum with cloud-based or open source resources, thereby ensuring affordable access to required texts.

Jeanne Ryder, a sophomore at Rutgers University, said she learned about the drawbacks of access codes last year, when she spent hundreds of dollars on a hardcover Italian textbook that was stolen, along with her backpack. The book had come with an online activation code, she said, but it was missing and the publisher told her she would have to buy a new one. She was unable to obtain a new replacement code, even though she had her receipt. She ended up borrowing the book from another student.

Here are some questions and answers on college textbooks and access codes:

How can I keep the price of textbooks manageable?

Most students visit their campus bookstore for convenience, but it’s also wise to check prices online. Sites like CampusBooks.com compare prices for renting and buying from various online merchants. Also, you can check with your school’s library to see if it makes copies available, or if it offers open source textbooks.

What if I can’t afford to pay for a digital access code?

Ms. Allen suggests discussing your situation with your instructor. Sometimes purchasing the code is merely recommended. But if the teacher requires the code for a class, students may have no option but to buy it if they want to take the course. “They’re pretty stuck,” Mr. Senack said, “and that’s our concern.” The college store association data from 2016 indicate that more than a quarter of faculty at two- and four-year institutions said they would require students to buy access codes in the coming year.

Can I buy a used textbook with an access code?

In some cases, yes. Some campus stores and online sellers sell used books along with access codes, Mr. Senack said. And sometimes, students who buy a textbook that comes with an access code may not be required to use the online materials, so they may sell the code separately. But when buying from private channels, it’s “buyer beware,” Ms. Allen said, as there is the risk the code may be invalid.