New vs. Used Textbooks: How to Save Money on College Books

This article was published in 2013 and updated in October 2026.

After tuition and rent, textbooks are one of the biggest costs of studying — many students spend hundreds of dollars a year on books and course materials. You can buy new, buy used, rent, go digital or sometimes get your books for free. Which option is best depends on your course, how you study and your budget. Here is how to decide.

Reasons to buy a new textbook

Clean pages: no highlighting, notes or doodles from previous owners that distract you while reading or make it hard to add your own notes.
Access codes and extras: many textbooks come with an online access code for homework platforms, quizzes or e-book versions. These codes usually work only once, so a used book often won’t include a valid one — check whether your course requires it before buying used.
The latest edition: some subjects update their content regularly with new research, legislation or technology, and professors may require the current edition.
A book you’ll keep: for core textbooks in your major that you’ll use for years, a new copy in good condition can be worth the money.

Reasons to buy a used textbook

Price: used books are often much cheaper than new ones.
Helpful notes: a well-annotated copy from a good student can even help you spot the important parts.
Older editions: if your professor allows it, an older edition can cost a fraction of the new one. Compare the tables of contents and borrow a current copy to check what changed.
Sustainability: reusing books saves paper and resources.

Other ways to get your textbooks

Rent: many campus bookstores and online retailers rent print textbooks for a semester — ideal for courses outside your major.
E-books and digital access: digital textbooks are usually cheaper, searchable and lighter to carry. Some colleges offer “inclusive access” programs that add digital materials to your tuition bill; check the price and whether you can opt out.
The library: libraries often keep course textbooks on reserve and provide free access to many e-books.
Open educational resources: free, openly licensed textbooks such as those from OpenStax cover many introductory courses. Ask your professor whether they can be used.
Share or swap: share a book with a classmate, or buy from students who took the course last semester.

Tips to save money on textbooks

Wait for the syllabus or the first class to confirm which books you really need.
Check the ISBN to make sure you get the right edition and format.
Compare prices for new, used, rental and digital versions.
Sell your books at the end of the semester while the edition is still in use.

New or used: which is better?

There isn’t one right answer — it depends on the course, whether you need an access code, how you like to study and your financial situation. Either way, the right materials are important for success at college, so plan ahead and spend your book budget where it matters most.