![Year’s Worth of Textbooks Cost as Much as a MacBook Air [INFOGRAPHIC]](https://helios-i.mashable.com/imagery/archives/03qH9VZDAN1v8cDxpBvd42p/hero-image.fill.size_1248x702.v1647021358.jpg)
Even in our struggling economy, it’s a good time to be out of school. Textbook prices are insane, according to a new infographic, which reveals that college kids spend $900 per year on books -- the exact amount of money they could use to purchase a MacBook Air.
I don’t know about you, but I’d rather have a lightweight laptop than a stack of heavy books I may never use.
The infographic, which was made by OnlineEducation.net, attests that “publishing companies have been having their way with college students for far too long” and that the average book ($175) is the same cost as a month’s worth of groceries.
Don’t think class instructors are aware of all this, though. 77% of professors say publishers rarely or never disclose prices, so don’t blame your teacher if he/she asks you to buy a $500 book for a specific course.
Fortunately, there are ways of going around the awful system. You can opt for used books, which can be up to 50% cheaper than new ones. As to be expected, they sell out faster than new books and only comprise 25% of textbooks offered.
Some schools have a textbook renting program, and while it’s not available at all institutions, I’m guessing this is going to have to change over the next 20 years, especially with our tendency to go digital.
Almost all students say they’d rent if they could -- so, publishers, please make this possible so we can put our money toward new laptops instead of books that will only collect dust on our dorm room shelves.
