Is it the number of pages that contribute to the high cost in textbooks? According to a Hedonic Quality Adjustment Methods for College Textbooks in the U.S. Consumer Price Index study, the answer is definitely NO.

source

Primarily the driving force in the increased cost of textbooks is the publishers increasing the wholesale price. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index, the wholesale prices charged by textbook publishers have jumped 62 percent since 1994

While open source textbooks are on the horizon, startups with ambition to have "8 open source books available by January 2010" aren't likely to be of much help on the wallet for anyone currently in college.

Unless you're fortunate enough to be in Ron Hammond, Phd, professor at Utah Valley State College's class who decided to quit using textbooks because they were too expensive, chances are you're ready to save as much money as possible on your textbooks this semester.

• A cash back credit card or other significant rewards card can offer an immediate advantage on the purchase over cash, debit or check purchases.
• Plan early for another instant advantage. Contact your professor or his/her secretary a month before the semester starts as they've very likely chosen the course material by that point. This gives you an advantage in that you can buy your books before demand surges. Getting top condition used books at this time will be much easier and this leads to higher resale value down the road.
• Ask your professor if bundled materials really will be used. If he or she says the CD-rom isn't required or the companion workbook won't be needed, you can save much more money finding a seller who isn't offering these add-on items.
• If you're considering buying an older version make sure the savings is substantial. You're risking a lower resale value by the time you go to sell your book back, especially if another edition change is looming.
• When buying used, be sure to check the condition and read seller comments. If a deal sounds very good make sure to ask the seller questions if the description doesn't offer enough explanation to ensure the deal doesn't have any catches.
• Check seller feedback. Saving a few bucks by taking a big risk with a low-feedback or low-rated seller typically is not worth it. A smooth process that doesn't waste your time is invaluable.
• Though it seems obvious, be sure to use the actual ISBN number when you're searching. Using the title or the author's name can lead to disaster if you mistakenly buy something that is close or related but not the exact correct book.
• As quoted from the New York Times August 30th, 2007: "THE BIGGEST SAVINGS are on the most expensive books. For freshmen who are already overwhelmed trying to find classroom buildings or negotiate a truce with a new roommate, shop around for one or two of the priciest textbooks you need. A new copy of a first-year textbook like, say, �Biology, seventh edition� by Neil Campbell and Jane Reece, which lists for $153.33, was available for $57.45 last week at Valorebooks.com." And while textbook prices from most sellers are going up and up� currently there are Biology (9780805371468) by Neil Campbell textbooks going for as low as $8.00, $11.99, and $31.05 on ValoreBooks.com.

A simple but often overlooked way to sell your books quicker at the end of each semester and for more money is to keep them in pristine condition. It will separate your used book from the majority of others. Consider these tips:

• Book covers are kind of dorky, but the fact is that they keep scratches and scuffs at bay. If homemade grocery bag style is not your thing, there are fabric covers, clear covers (instructions), and many other options.
• A digital highlighter is a great investment and means no more neon-trashed textbook pages.
• A hardshell backpack (here and here) or a hardshell messenger bag can be the difference between dog-eared corners and a book as crisp at the end of the semester as it was at the beginning.

If you're already going to be doing the sell back research for your own books, consider offering the service to any of your friends who are prone to letting their books sit and collect dust after the semester. For almost no extra time you can help them make money and make more yourself. $5.00 a book? 10%? Whatever you negotiated, just be fair, and you'll both win.

• Timing is everything. Don't wait till the next semester has started to try unloading your books. 7-10 day before a new semester is adequate time in most cases to list and sell your books. And if you suspect the book is due for a new edition by next semester it may make sense to just offload it right at the end of your current semester.
• Be sure you save any bundled items and their original packaging for the resale. Sending in a book without these will often lead to a reduction in the buyback price.
• Paypal may seem like a quick and easy way to get your payment but remember that unless the buyer explicitly states that they will cover the seller's fees you'll stand to lose 2-3% of the buyback price when Paypal takes their fee out.
• Free shipping can be an important money saver when selling back books. Of course you must ultimately compare the net total from selling back your books to any particular buyer but typically you will want to choose a buyer who offers free shipping through a printable label or a shipping credit.

One major stride in reducing the cost of textbooks will come as a result of the College Textbook Affordability Act which passed legislation in August of 2008. Unfortunately it will not take effect until 2010. However, some schools have decided that students shouldn't have to suffer two more years and have already begun taking steps to give faculty members and students the information they need to seek out and find the best prices available.

Also looming on the horizon is the offering of more digital books at reduced cost and even the advent of advertising supported free, or low-cost textbooks.

With the average 4-year college student graduating with $20,000 in debt and roughly 20% of that attributable to the cost of textbooks, it is clear to see that taking textbook savings and consistent timely reselling seriously can lead to substantial reduction in debt which when taking interest into account means getting into the black a lot sooner.