No Access. No Affordability.
Higher Education’s Problem.
Too many learners today are making painful trade-offs between course materials and bare necessities like housing and meals. Our industry must embrace what students are telling us.
– Michael Hansen, CEO, Cengage
STUDENTS ARE LIMITED BY HIGH COSTS
Students are weighed down by two key barriers when it comes to textbooks and course materials.
Affordability
Expensive course materials have shut out millions from being prepared and able to perform to their potential.
Access
Because of price, the higher education industry has historically limited access to quality learning.
Affordability
Expensive course materials have shut out millions from being prepared and able to perform to their potential.
Access
Because of price, the higher education industry has historically limited access to quality learning.
Without affordability and access, students will not have what they need to succeed in their courses.
STRUGGLING & SACRIFICING
85% of Students
say paying for course materials is more financially stressful than paying for student housing, healthcare and food.1
4 in 10 Students
have skipped meals due to costs.1
Over the past 10 years, college prices have increased 45% but household income has declined by 7%.2
71% of students graduate with student loan debt.3
Correct!
And 72% of students use financial aid or scholarship money to pay for textbooks or course materials.1
Nope!
In fact, 72% of students use financial aid or scholarship money to pay for textbooks or course materials.1
The average student spends more than $500 per year on course materials.4
72% of students have put off buying course materials until:5
Correct!
Worst of all, another study shows 57% of students end up not purchasing required materials at all due to high costs.1
Nope!
Worst of all, another study shows 57% of students end up not purchasing required materials at all due to high costs.1
45% of students chose not to register for a course due to cost.6
20% of students failed a course because they could not afford the course materials.6
QUICK EXERCISE
IN THEIR SHOES
Your students are in their first week of classes.
Which scenario do you think is best for them?
BARGAIN HUNTING
Your students hunt for bargains on each of their required textbooks. After a long search, they consider sharing one or more textbooks so they can afford other basic necessities.
Your students hunt for bargains on each of their required textbooks. After a long search, they consider sharing one or more textbooks so they can afford other basic necessities.
SUBSCRIBING
Your students’ textbooks and course materials are available through a single point of access, allowing them to subscribe to the materials they need—plus additional educational resources—for one price.
Your students’ textbooks and course materials are available through a single point of access, allowing them to subscribe to the materials they need—plus additional educational resources—for one price.
Almost 90% of students say they spend up to a week searching for affordable textbook options, investing significant time and money.1
Here’s Why Subscribing Can Help Them
Survey Says Subscribe
76% of students have expressed interest in a subscription-based model
when it comes to accessing their textbooks and course materials, and believe
this access would positively affect their performance.1
Students Deserve a Better Way
Cengage Unlimited is the first-of-its-kind subscription to offer students UNLIMITED
access to a comprehensive library of digital course materials for one price, in one place.
WHAT DO STUDENTS GET WITH
CENGAGE UNLIMITED?
Unprecedented Access
Unparalleled Value
Students pay
a semester no matter how
many products that they use
Uncomplicated, One-Click Access to All
eBooks, digital platforms & study guides
*Students get a print rental for $7.99 + free shipping
Unparalleled Value + Unprecedented Access = UNSTOPPABLE Learning
View Sources
- Morning Consult on behalf of Cengage, Today’s Learner: Student Views 2018
- Lumina, A Benchmark for Making College Affordable, https://www.luminafoundation.org/files/resources/affordability-benchmark-1.pdf
- The Institute for College Access & Success, Quick Facts About Student Debt, https://ticas.org/sites/default/files/pub_files/Debt_Facts_and_Sources.pdf, March 2014
- National Association of College Stores, Highlights from Student Watch Attitudes & Behaviors Toward Course Materials 2017-18 Report, http://www.nacs.org/research/studentwatchfindings.aspx
- VitalSource, Due to High Cost of College, Students Skip Purchasing Course Materials; Grades Suffer as a Result, https://press.vitalsource.com/vitalsource-survey-due-to-high-cost-of-college-students-skip-purchasing-course-materials-grades-suffer-as-a-result
- Florida Virtual Campus, 2016 Student Textbook and Course Materials Survey, http://www.openaccesstextbooks.org/pdf/2016_Florida_Student_Textbook_Survey.pdf