Rent Or Buy Used Textbooks [ Extended | HOW-TO ]

Buying. A majority of students—67 percent—buy used textbooks, according to CampusBooks. Case in point: Patrick McKay (Questrom'17) Boston University Textbook talk: to rent or to buy - The Patriot Press

Deciding whether to rent or buy used textbooks for the 2026-2027 academic year often comes down to balancing immediate savings against long-term value. While is typically the most affordable upfront option—saving students an average of 25–30%— buying used can sometimes be cheaper if you successfully sell the book back later to recoup costs. Renting Textbooks rent or buy used textbooks

Renting is ideal for general education courses or electives where you are unlikely to need the material after the final exam. Textbooks 101: A Guide for Undergrads - Boston University Buying