November 2003

Briefly speaking: Saving money on textbooks

	Freshman Karina Rojas picks up a textbook for class at the UC Davis Bookstore. (Debbie Aldridge/UC Davis)

Textbooks represent a major expense in the overall cost of a college education, but there are ways to save money on these valuable tools.

Karl van Brenk, book buyer at the not-for-profit UC Davis Bookstore, says UC Davis' gross margin of 22 percent -- before expenses -- is much lower than most university bookstores. Nonetheless, although costs vary widely, students can expect to pay between $250 to $600 per quarter on textbooks, he says.

"Sadly, books are getting more and more expensive," van Brenk says. "This is mainly due to publishing companies raising prices far beyond inflationary rates and we are as much a slave to that as the students."

Buying and selling used textbooks

Often, money spent on books at the beginning of the quarter can be recouped once the class has ended. According to van Brenk, the best way overall to save money on textbooks is to sell them back to the UC Davis Bookstore. For example, the book required for Math 16, Calculus, costs $110 new or $83.05 used. However, it can be sold back to the bookstore for $55.

Although the bookstore purchases used textbooks throughout the year, it pays its top prices during its Used Textbook Buyback, next held Dec. 8 to 13, Jan. 7 to 9 and Jan. 12 to 13. Details are usually advertised in The California Aggie.

Of course, buying used books is one of the best ways to cut costs. However, supplies can be limited.

Online book exchanges

Another way to save money on textbooks is to buy them online, at off-campus bookstores or at the Associated Students of UC Davis' Book Exchange.

The California Public Interest Research Group recently launched a campaign to draw attention to the rising costs of textbooks. As part of that effort, the organization has created an online book exchange.

But van Brenk warns that shopping around for the best deals on textbooks can be time-consuming in the hectic first weeks of the quarter. And while off-campus and online stores may offer some deals, only the UC Davis Bookstore is obliged to carry all the correct versions of all the textbooks required by UC Davis professors.

Top of page

Return to previous page