Course Material Affordability

Bay View Analytics partnered with Affordable Learning PA (ALPA) and the Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI) for a comprehensive survey on course material affordability in Pennsylvania. The Pennsylvania Course Materials Cost Survey collected 4,306 responses from students across 14 participating institutions during the spring and fall of 2023. Its goal is to understand the impact of course material choices on students' academic and general life.

Presentation: Online Learning Consortium Innovate 24

Course Materials Cost More than Money: Results from a Student Survey
Date: April 24, 2024
The high cost of course materials in higher education has dire impacts on student success, impacting the courses students take, their choice of a minor or major, or even the institution they attend. Our presentation examines the student perspective on costs, and how organizations can help. The study collected 4,306 responses from students across Pennsylvania. Students were asked about their course load, course material costs, and financial aid coverage. The survey then asked students how the cost of course materials impacted their academic success, as well as larger life choices.
Download presentation slides (PDF)

Online Learning Consortium Webinar: Course Materials Cost Students More than Money

Download presentation slides: Course Materials Cost Students More than Money (PDF)
On-demand access to the webinar

A recent survey by Bay View Analytics shows that the majority of students are worried about meeting the cost of their course materials. Additionally, students report that the cost of course materials have academic consequences including getting poorer grades, failing courses, and even affecting their choice of major or institution.

This webinar reviews the results from the recently completed Pennsylvania student survey on course material costs. The survey also included a national sample, providing a benchmark for comparing Pennsylvania’s response rates to the broader trends in course material costs, academic choices, and preferences. The student responses are reviewed before moving into a panel discussion about the impact of these costs on students. The panelists also discuss how these results can help support advocacy efforts at institution and statewide.

Key Messages:

Student reported statistics on course material costs and their efforts to reduce the costs
The large and small impacts of course material costs on students
How statewide consortia and textbook affordability organizations can use the survey results to support their advocacy efforts

Speakers:

Julia Seaman, Ph.D., Research Director, Bay View Analytics
Elizabeth Nelson, Reference & Instruction Librarian, Penn State Lehigh Valley
Molly Kennelly, Current Student and Director of Academic Affairs for Temple Student Government

Results on Course Material Affordability in Pennsylvania

Download report: Pennsylvania Course Materials Survey 2023
Download presentation slides: Pennsylvania Course Materials Presentation

Affordable Learning PA (ALPA) and the Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI) are pleased to release the results of their comprehensive survey on course material affordability in Pennsylvania in 2023. The Pennsylvania Course Materials Cost Survey, conducted in partnership with Bay View Analytics, collected 4,306 responses from students across 14 participating institutions during the spring and fall of 2023. Its goal is to understand the impact of course material choices on students' academic and general life.

This project builds upon the groundwork laid by the Virginia Course Materials Survey and the Florida Student Textbook and Course Materials Survey, expanding and updating the survey to address Pennsylvania students' unique needs and challenges. The survey also included a national sample, providing a benchmark for comparing Pennsylvania's response rates to the broader trends in course material costs, academic choices, and preferences. Key findings from the Pennsylvania-focused survey include:

Most Students Worry about Course Material Costs

Nearly half of all students surveyed expressed a "moderate" or "extreme" level of concern regarding course material costs, highlighting widespread anxiety over this issue.

Course Material Costs Adversely Affect Student Success

The survey revealed that course material costs have a detrimental impact on students' academic performance, leading to poor grades and forcing students to reduce the number of courses they take. Only 23% of students reported no impact on their academic career.

Course Material Costs Affect Academic Choices

Many students indicated that decisions shaping their academic careers, such as their choice of institution, major, and minor, are influenced by material cost responsibilities and expectations.

Students Actively Seek To Cut Costs

An overwhelming 98% of students have attempted at least one method to reduce the costs of course materials, including buying used copies, searching for a free online version of needed materials, or even going without required materials.

This project was made possible by Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA) funds from the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services administered by the Pennsylvania Department of Education, Office of Commonwealth Libraries. The views, findings, conclusions, or recommendations expressed in this website do not necessarily represent those of the U.S. Institute of Museum and Library Services or the Department of Education. For more information about the survey, its findings, and the upcoming presentation event, please visit Affordable Learning PA (https://www.affordablelearningpa.org/).

Press release

Affordable Learning PA (ALPA) and PALCI Reveal 2023 Survey Results on Course Material Affordability in Pennsylvania

Pie chart of degree students worry about the cost of course materials.

November 15, 2023
Affordable Learning PA (ALPA) and the Partnership for Academic Library Collaboration and Innovation (PALCI) are pleased to announce the results of their comprehensive survey on course material affordability in Pennsylvania in 2023. The Pennsylvania Course Materials Cost Survey, conducted in partnership with Bay View Analytics, collected 4,306 responses from students across 14 participating institutions during the spring and fall of 2023. Its goal is to understand the impact of course material choices on students' academic and general life.