Do colleges and universities still use print textbooks, or are they mostly digital?

You'll probably find a mixture of both. At some schools, you can choose whichever format you prefer (and, according to The New York Times, 50% of students prefer a print textbook!).

How much do textbooks cost?

You won't be surprised to hear that books can be free, like certain open source online textbooks, but some can cost as much as $1,000 or more! The College Board recommends that students plan on setting aside $1,200 each year for textbooks and course materials.

Why would I buy my textbooks online instead of my campus bookstore?

Your campus bookstore will likely be selling the textbooks at full retail value, or maybe even with a bit of a markup. And, even if they offer used books, you'll be competing with everyone else at your school to get a copy. Shopping online lets you get the exact same books for the best available price.

Can I buy good used textbooks online?

Absolutely. Most online textbook stores make it easy to determine the condition of any title you need, and you can even get them in new or like-new condition - at a fraction of the price you'd pay for a brand-new text at your college bookstore.

How much will I pay for shipping?

That depends on the textbook store you use and how quickly you need the book. Many providers offer free shipping for economy shipping, with options to upgrade if you want to get it faster.

Is it true that I can rent my textbooks instead of buying them?

Yes! Both print and digital textbooks can be rented through many textbook stores. Be sure to read the terms and conditions before choosing the rental option: you'll want to know if you're allowed to mark up the book or save any of your digital notes, when your rental period will end, and any instructions you'll need to follow to return the textbook when the class finishes.

What if the textbook comes and isn't what I needed? Can I exchange it or get a refund?

Most textbook stores know that students may buy a textbook they wind up not needing: classes get cancelled or dropped, the wrong edition is ordered, and so on. You typically have a risk-free return period of anywhere from 14-21 days from the purchase date, so you'll need to time your purchase carefully (ordering enough in advance that the title is available, but not so far ahead that you can't return it once the class starts).

Are online textbook stores legitimate?

Without a doubt. Some textbook stores have been in business for a decade or more, with excellent customer ratings and a strong reputation with the Better Business Bureau. Buying your textbooks online can save you a significant amount of money and hassle!

Better World Books Review for May 2026 | Best College Textbook Stores

Item: Better World Books Review
Rating: 3.5
Author: Top Consumer Reviews

Thursday, May 14th We evaluate products and services based on unbiased research. Top Consumer Reviews may earn money when you click on a link. Learn more about our process.

2026 College Textbook Store Reviews

Where can you find the cheapest college textbooks online? With education costs on the rise, college students are seeking ways to save money wherever possible. However, a person can only eat so much ramen soup or mac and cheese. Enter the online textbook marketplace.

3.5

GOOD

Good

Better World Books

Free standard shipping with $15 order
Mostly used books
576,000 5-star reviews
"A+" rating from the BBB
In business since 2002

GOOD

3.5

On the Better World Books website

Sustaining the environment by recycling or reusing over 450 million books, Better World Books has been in business since 2002. An online retailer of all types of books, including textbooks, they pride themselves in being "an ethical bookseller" by providing an alternative to other for-profit companies.

On a mission

Promoting the pursuit of knowledge, Better World Books is a Certified B Corporation. Their sustainable services, superior selection, and commitment to promoting global literacy make this a company worth supporting. They collect used books through library partnerships (look for their drop-boxes near you) in an effort to save books from landfills. They have raised over $35 million for libraries and literacy and sold over 117 million books with their motto "Buy Books. Do Good." As a result, they will donate a book to someone in need for each purchase you make.

Over 8 million books

With over eight million new and used books of all genres for sale on the Better World Books website, you can either browse the textbook category or type the title or book's ISBN in the search bar. Books may show up in used, new, eBook, or audiobook format. You can click on "all available copies" to browse different conditions (new, used like new, used very good, and used good) and also see other retailers where you may be able to purchase the textbook. They note on their website that since they deal with mostly used books, extra components like CDs, DVDs, and access codes aren't included. When searching, you can narrow it down by many different filters, including new or used, binding type, grade level, and other options. The prices on Better World Books are typically pretty competitive.

Partner with libraries

Unfortunately, they didn't have the edition of the book we used for comparison at each online retailer on our list. Interestingly, they partner with libraries to try to help you find it locally to borrow through the WorldCat database, which can be helpful in a pinch. There is also the option to put the book you seek on a personal wishlist, which they will use to notify you when it's in stock. However, unless you are shopping pretty far in advance, that means you'll likely have to find the required book elsewhere. If you do decide to just browse, you may encounter books that are decidedly not college textbooks mixed in throughout. (We stumbled across some intense-looking romance books listed under "best-selling textbooks." ) We feel that their website could also use a bit of improvement, with slightly smaller fonts - ranging from 9 to 10.5 in some places - and difficulty finding some of the information we sought.

Discounts offered for signing up

To get a discount on your first order with Better World Books, just sign up for their email newsletter. You'll get a code for a percentage off. Plus, they periodically send sale emails for certain book categories and have a rewards program.

Shipping free for most orders

It's relatively easy to receive free shipping on an order from Better World Books. They send out coupon offers often if you sign up for their email list, but free standard shipping is available on any order over $15. Standard shipping takes 5-7 days and costs $1.99 on orders smaller than $15. Expedited shipping takes about 2-3 days and is $9.99 for the first item, plus $3.99 for each additional one. If you need it faster, second day is $26.99 plus $15.99 per additional book, or next day is $52.99 for the first text plus $21.99 for each extra one.

Returns are permitted

With a 30-day return policy on most items, Better World Books will accept books in the original condition, including used items with the original SKU sticker on the book or new items still in shrink wrap. They note that they "reserve the right to charge a processing fee" for any returns not a result of their error, specifically mentioning new items.

Rewards program promotes loyalty

The Better World Books Rewards program is free to join. You will earn coupons for points and achieve different tier statuses such as bronze, silver, and gold. Points expire in a year.

Customers overwhelmingly pleased

Accredited by the BBB, Better World Books has received an "A+" rating with 41 complaints in the past three years. Complaints are typically about the lack of accessible customer service and receiving the wrong books (they use stock photos in their listings so be sure to verify the ISBN numbers). Across online review platforms, customers love this company, with over 576,000 5-star ratings. Pleased reviewers note they loved the selection and ease of applying filters, easy checkout, cheap textbook options, and causes the company supports.

Just above average for textbooks

While we love Better World Books' mission and prices, they didn't have the textbooks we sought and can be hit-or-miss when we need a specific book quickly. We recommend checking them out to see if they have the books you need, but don't plan to get every textbook for your college classes here.

On the Better World Books website

Continued from above...

Where Can You Find the Cheapest College Textbooks Online?

With education costs on the rise, college students are seeking ways to save money wherever possible. However, a person can only eat so much ramen soup or mac and cheese. Enter the online textbook marketplace.

Instead of visiting the school's bookstore where books will cost the most, countless students are turning to online options to purchase their required textbooks prior to the start of class. These retailers provide unique money-saving options, such as rental titles, eTextbooks, and used books, often at significant savings for students across the country.

Not only can you save money by purchasing a used textbook, but you may even be able to slash costs with a rental text. When deciding between purchasing and renting textbooks, keep your end goal in mind: what will you be doing with the text while you have it and after you are finished using it? Those who don't need to reference a text for a future class may find that renting suits them just fine.

Some companies will even offer multiple rental time periods to meet students' needs. However, if you like to highlight, you should purchase a book, as many companies do not want you to write in their books (though some do permit a limited amount - be sure to read the rental agreement). However, if a book comes with CDs or access codes, your rental (or used textbook) likely won't include them.

Another option many textbook companies have started to offer is digital books or online access to materials. This can keep costs down and reduce landfill waste. But, some people read better from hard copies of books and would like a chance to recoup some of their textbook costs by reselling a used textbook, which isn't possible with digital options.

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.

Better World Books Review: College Textbook Stores

2026 College Textbook Store Reviews

Better World Books

Where Can You Find the Cheapest College Textbooks Online?

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