Commit - Affordability Counts

Graphical representation of the CPI: College Textbooks vs. CPI: All Items

Graphical representation of percent change since 1978 for educational books, medical services, new home prices and CPI.

Why Commit to Low-Cost?

Over the last three decades, college textbooks and course material expenses have risen more than three times the average increase for all goods and services. Like the unsustainable housing bubble of the last decade, some observers are talking about a “college textbook bubble.”

In Florida, more than half (53.2%) of students spent more than $300 on textbooks during the Spring 2016 term, and 17.9% spent more than $500. In addition to textbooks, 77.2% percent of respondents spent $200 or less on required course materials, while 10.6% of students reported spending $300 or more on required materials (Openaccesstextbooks).However, thanks to a growing number of low-cost alternatives, Florida educators are well equipped to lead the country in response to the textbook crisis.

But we need your commitment. Affordability in Florida depends on the adoption of the emerging low-cost alternatives now available as well as the exchange of those resources between institutions, thereby providing access to quality, affordable education across our state. Together we can reverse the tide of increasing textbook costs.

AFFORDABILITYCOUNTS.ORG

In an effort to address the rising costs of course materials, Affordability Counts seeks to advance affordability for all state universities and colleges by providing a searchable listing of low-cost courses. This listing provides faculty with access to peer-tested information to help reduce the costs of their own course materials.

Here’s how it works: first, we encourage university and college faculty to submit courses meeting the low-cost target of $20 or less of out-of-pocket student expenses per credit. . Our submission form asks faculty to enter information about their course and the costs of materials, which are then sent to review committee for confirmation.

Young woman working on laptop while taking notes. This website lists all the medallion earners according to the State of Florida common course ID numbering system, providing an an easy way for faculty across Florida to search out what open-source or low-cost materials other instructors are using to supplement their courses.

View Awarded Courses