Photo courtesy of Julia Taubitz via Unsplash License
Although technology is slowly replacing physical books, many college professors still require students to acquire physical books and textbooks for classes.
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By Carla Morales
TAMPA, Fla. — College tuition is gradually increasing as the years go by. For instance, in the last 20 years, college tuition has doubled, implying that more individuals are struggling to pay for the upfront cost of college tuition.
Hard copy textbooks can cost as much as $400, with an average price between $100 and $150 according to the Education Data Initiative. With the costs of these books, it would be very beneficial for parents to see how expensive their child’s tuition is without any school-related additional charges being made throughout the year.
I think we can all agree that it would provide an overall simpler understanding of university prices to see all charges included. Therefore, books/textbooks should be included in tuition.
Many parents are paying double or triple college tuition at the same time for multiple children. Even if they have saved for tuition, unexpected textbook costs that can reach up to $1,000 aren’t usually included in those plans. These charges being added in can make school unaffordable for some, or leave students at a disadvantage if they can’t get their required materials.
According to Baylor Lariat, “that extra cost, outside the regular tuition fees, burdens students as they scramble for the hundreds of dollars needed to pay for required materials while balancing the start of new classes.”
Books being included in tuition also encourages equal access to learning, as all students would have the same educational resources regardless of their financial situation. As college is a place where individuals from different backgrounds unite to prepare for their futures, it’s not always known what everybody’s financial background looks like. This would also minimize any embarrassment a student has of not being able to afford any of the books or textbooks a teacher is asking for.
In addition, the inclusion of books in tuition would encourage work and reading habits. Not only would students be encouraged to do their work — as the books are already included — they would feel more accountable knowing parents have invested in those resources.
I know there has been at least one moment during college when you feel slightly guilty about skipping a class for no reason, because our parents are paying for all of it.
Overall, including books and textbooks in college tuition would provide families with clearer financial expectations, reduce the burden of unexpected additional costs, and ensure all students have equal access to necessary learning materials. It would also foster better academic habits and a greater sense of responsibility among students, knowing that the resources they need are already covered by their parents.
By making tuition all-inclusive, colleges can create a fairer and supportive environment, allowing students to focus on learning rather than worrying about affording materials.