Amazon vs Pearson

As college costs keep climbing, students are hunting for savings wherever they can, but there's only so much ramen and boxed mac and cheese you can stomach. That's where online textbook marketplaces come in, letting you rent, buy used, or grab digital editions for far less than the campus store. The savings free up money for actual groceries and other essentials - a small shift that makes a real difference over the course of a semester. Many platforms also let you resell your books easily, so you can recoup part of the cost when the class is over.

Rather than paying top dollar at the campus bookstore, many students now pick up their required textbooks online before the semester begins. These marketplaces offer plenty of ways to save - rentals, eTextbooks, and used copies - so students across the country don't have to pay full price. Many platforms also feature price comparison tools and buyback options that help stretch a tight budget.

Buying used can cut your costs, and renting can sometimes bring the price down even more. Before you choose, think about what you need from the book - how you'll use it during the term and whether you'll want it afterward. If you don't expect to revisit the material for later classes, renting will likely do the job. If you prefer to annotate heavily or keep a reference for future projects, owning a used copy you can resell at the end might be the smarter move.

Many companies offer several rental lengths to match students' schedules, but if you like to highlight or jot notes, buying is the safer bet. Most rental providers don't want writing in their books (some allow a little - just read the rental agreement). Also, if a textbook originally includes CDs or access codes, a rental or used copy probably won't come with them. If your course depends on those extras for homework or quizzes, factor the cost of a new code into your decision so you don't end up paying twice.

Textbook publishers are increasingly offering e-books and online platforms, which can lower upfront costs and cut down on landfill waste. Even so, plenty of students read better on paper and count on reselling used copies to earn back some of what they spent - an option you lose with digital access. Many digital licenses are time-limited or locked to a single account, which makes sharing or buybacks impossible. For some courses, that trade-off matters as much as the price.

There are many factors to consider when comparing online retailers for college textbooks. Here are the top ones on our list:

• Cost. Why spend more than necessary on your textbooks? When two books are identical and only the price differs, it's a no-brainer: go with the less expensive option. However, some online retailers have bulk discounts or rewards programs, making it a little trickier to decide which copy to purchase - and be aware of any "service fees" or "digital access fees" added at checkout at some vendors. Keep in mind the condition of the book you're buying as well, if you want to try to resell it to recoup some of your book budget.
• Selection. Many online retailers we reviewed only sell textbooks and thus have a larger selection. If you want one-stop shopping, you'll have to choose one of those options. To save some money, you may be willing to look at multiple retailers, and that's a valid choice as well, especially when free shipping is offered.
• Shipping. When you're spending this kind of money, you want to cut costs where you can. Some retailers offer free shipping options with minimum purchases while others have a per-item add-on charge. Make sure you know what you're paying regarding shipping when you compare textbook prices. Speed of shipping can also come into play if you're shopping close to the first day of class.
• Return policy. Buying the wrong edition, dropping a class, or having the instructor change course materials on the first day of class - all of these can be costly mistakes if you buy from a retailer without a return policy you feel comfortable with. Some charge restock fees while others are more lenient. Similarly, the return window that retailers offer will vary.
• Access codes and bonus materials. If you need a textbook with an online access code, a DVD, or other learning materials, you may need to focus on purchasing a new copy. Most rentals and used books do not include these features.

To help save you time and money, we at Top Consumer Reviews have sifted through the most popular online textbook retailers. Check out our top choices, order your class materials, and get back to the business of learning.