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 SurveyDate: 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 AnalyticsElizabeth 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 2023Download 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
November 15, 2023Affordable 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.
Recent Publications
Digital Learning Pulse Surveys
- Infographic: 2023-2024 Digital Learning Pulse Survey
- The Digital Transformation of the Community College
- Planning for a Smaller Future: Dealing with Declining Enrollments
Course Material Affordability
- Pennsylvania Course Materials Survey 2023
- Pennsylvania Course Materials Presentation
- Course Material Webinar Slides
Open Educational Resources
- Digitally Established: Educational Resources in U.S. Higher Education, 2023
- Curricula of Many Sources: Educational Resources in U.S. K-12, 2023
- Research Brief: Digital and OER Textbook Adoption
- Research Brief: Faculty Satisfaction with Course Materials varies by Publisher
STEM
- Teaching Online: STEM Education in the Time of COVID
- What Makes a STEM Student
- Perceptions of the Future of STEM Education
Distance Education
- Digital Faculty: Faculty Social Media Use and Communications
- Infographic: Digital Faculty
- Grade Increase: Tracking Distance Education in the United States
Follow us on Twitter and LinkedIn.
Privacy
All survey respondents are provided complete anonymity. No personally identifiable information is released. Full privacy policy.