By Matt Berman, National Journal
Book prices have gone up 82 percent in the last decade, and Al Franken and Dick Durbin are planning to thwart more growth.
Studnet studying with textbooks
Everyone knows that college tuition costs have been skyrocketing. But, it turns out, it’s nothing compared to the growth in college textbook costs.
The American Enterprise Institute shows just how much they have risen since 1978.
The 812-percent growth in textbook prices is far greater than the percent growth for college tuition and fees over about the same period. Prices have gone up 82 percent in the last decade alone. The average college student is now paying about $1,200 a year on textbooks and supplies.
Chart showing the rise of textbook costs
For students and their familes, the rising cost of college textbooks is a serious problem. Democratic Sens. Al Franken of Minnesota and Dick Durbin of Illinois have just introduced a bill to begin to fix it.
Read the full story by Matt Berman from National Journal.
