Get the facts about Equitable Access programs.

“Equitable Access” is also known as Inclusive Access, a sales model that adds the cost of textbooks into students’ tuition and fees.

 

While Inclusive/Equitable Access programs were intended to address high textbook costs, they have created challenges for students and faculty. The higher education community deserves the facts.

 
College students raising hands in class

What is Equitable Access?

Equitable Access is a form of Inclusive Access, a sales model for college textbooks that automatically bills the cost to students’ tuition and fees. Equitable Access programs typically charge students a fixed cost per credit hour, while Inclusive Access may charge students the cost of their individual materials. Under both models, students have a period to “opt out” before they are billed, and after the end of the course, students typically lose access to the content. These programs are widely promoted by major publishing and bookstore companies. Learn more.

Student With Backpack

Does Equitable Access save students money?

Despite the names “Inclusive” and “Equitable,” the advertised savings of these programs not always what they seem. Automatic textbook billing may save money for students who normally buy full-price print textbooks, but it can cost other students more. By adding costs to a tuition and fee bill, these programs makes it harder for students to opt-out and save on used books, print rentals, or borrowed copies. Also, marketing materials often advertise discounts much higher than the fine print of many vendor contracts. Learn more.

 

Decide for yourself.

  • Savings or Spin?

    Inclusive access content is discounted compared to print prices, but not always by much, and prices can rise.

    Read More

  • Solution or Status Quo?

    Peer-reviewed research found that Inclusive Access did not improve academic outcomes.

    Learn More

  • Opt-Out or Drop Out?

    Students can opt out of Inclusive Access, but doing so can block them from required coursework.

    Read More

  • Convenient or Confined?

    Inclusive access can provide first-day access to content, but it constrains students’ choices as consumers.

    Read More

  • Inclusive or Exclusive?

    No matter what the price of Inclusive Access content is, it is still unaffordable for some students.

    Read More

  • Retain or Just Rent?

    Students never own Inclusive Access content—they usually rent it, sometimes for a higher price than a print rental.

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  • Supported or Stymied?

    Inclusive access can limit faculty’s freedom to choose materials that meet their students’ needs.

    Read More

  • Deal or Data Grab?

    Inclusive Access content can capture vast amounts of data on students and faculty.

    Read More

  • Digital or Divided?

    Broadband access and digital devices are a hidden cost of Inclusive Access, which can widen the digital divide.

    Learn More

Raising awareness of the facts.

The cost of college textbooks has increased sharply over the last several decades, which has harmed student access and success. Everyone agrees that this is a problem. As higher education leaders consider new textbook sales models that advertise lower costs, the campus community deserves to fully understand how these models impact students and faculty. InclusiveAccess.org is a community-driven initiative to raise awareness about the facts about automatic textbook billing. Learn more by selecting your role below.

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Administrators

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Faculty

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Students

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Policymakers

Is automatic textbook billing equitable? Decide for yourself.

 

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  • "I know they say it's cheaper, but that's not been my case. I pay more for inclusive access, and it's that one-time use that you don't have access to later."

    — Barbara Gooch, Student, Volunteer State Community College (Gallatin, TN)

  • "The most pressing issue for students is cost and choice. Each student should have the choice to buy the textbooks that work best for them, and each student should be able to learn in a way that benefits them the most."

    — Winni Zhang, Student, Washington and Lee University (Lexington, VA)