August 25, 2025
New Reports from Student Watch and Student Monitor Show That Students Are Saving More and Spending Less on Course Materials
According to two independent research groups, NACS Student Watch and Student Monitor, college students are saving more and spending less on their higher education course materials.
Recently released reports from both groups found that student spending on course materials has continued to decline. This trend is a remarkable bright spot for students, especially amid the rising costs of higher education overall.
- Student Watch reported that student spending on course materials declined 40% between the 2014-2015 and 2024-2025 academic years, going from $563 a year to $341.
- Student Monitor reported the student spending on course materials declined by 54% between the 2014-2015 and 2024-2025 academic years, going from $691 to $318 per year.
Students Give Affordable Access High Marks
According to research from both groups, students remain highly satisfied with course material models like Affordable Access, which provide students with high-quality course materials on (or before) the first day of classes at below market rates.
According to the National Association of College Stores Student Watch survey, students indicated that the top reasons they liked Affordable Access programs were:
- Convenience
- Knowing that they’ll have cost materials for the first day of class
- Knowing they’ll have the correct materials for the first day of class
- Cost
Eric Weil, Managing Partner of Student Monitor, noted “As we study affordable access, we have observed the remarkably high levels of Affordable Access satisfaction and attitudes about it in both participating schools and students.”
According to the Student Monitor report, more than 90% of students said that Affordable Access programs made it possible for them to get more out of their courses and receive better value for the cost of their tuition.
Affordable Access Programs Contribute to Student Success
Multiple research studies have found that students who participate in Affordable Access programs are both more successful and less likely to withdraw, and experienced increases in their final grades. In 2025, an independent report found that 84% of students enrolled in Affordable Access programs felt better prepared for their courses, and 81% of students indicated that these programs positively impacted their academic success.
More and More Schools Embrace Affordable Access
The winning combination of quality, affordability, and ease of access has made Affordable Access programs increasingly popular at colleges and universities across the country. In fact, this year’s Student Monitor survey found that the share of colleges and universities embracing Affordable Access programs is climbing at a rapid rate, with 80% of schools surveyed using one of these programs, an increase of 5% as compared to the previous year.
Student Watch and Student Monitor Methodologies
The Student Watch report surveyed over 12,000 students across 29 higher education institutions. The Student Monitor findings are the result of hour-long, one-on-one, on campus intercept interviews conducted among 1,200 four-year, full-time undergraduates attending 100 nationally representative colleges and universities.