Another report has documented how inclusive access and equitable access programs have helped college students save money on course materials. According to the consulting firm Student Monitor’s twice annual study of trends in student spending, spending on materials declined 4% during the 2024-2025 academic year from the 2023-2024 academic year, dropping to $318.
Access programs allow colleges and universities to buy materials on a bulk basis, which students can then pay for as part of their tuition or other fees at below market rates. The programs have become increasingly popular among students, and according to the report, 80% of colleges and universities now offer access program for at least some of their courses, up from 75% in the 2023-2024 academic year. While benefitting students, the programs have also helped publishers. Wiley noted in its recently released financial report for fiscal 2025 that "strong demand" for access programs was a key factor in lifting sales in the year.
“There's no question that e-books—including those delivered through models such as Affordable and Inclusive Access—are a highly cost-effective solution as compared to new, print textbooks,” commented Eric Weil, managing partner at Student Monitor, in the report. “That affordability factor—combined with the consistently high quality associated with these course material models—has encouraged strong growth in adoption.” Weil estimated that by using access programs, students save an average of $300 on materials each year compared to what they would pay buying the materials separately.
