Board 96: Exploring the Impact of Textbook Costs on Undergraduate Engineering Majors

Abstract

In the fall of 2022, the Dartmouth Library and the Thayer School of Engineering launched an exploratory survey to determine the amount spent on textbooks by declared engineering majors in all classes, and the impacts of these costs on student experiences. The goals of this investigation were to determine the average costs incurred by engineering majors, the academic and financial impacts of the costs on students, and how students were paying for their textbooks. This knowledge will help identify where the library can provide additional support for course texts and OER. This survey served as a pilot for a university-wide survey looking at the costs associated with textbooks in various disciplines, launched in April 2023. The goal of presenting this exploration is to encourage similar explorations at other small, private colleges.