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Buy vs rent vs borrow textbooks: which is cheaper?

Buy vs rent vs borrow textbooks for college: a simple rule for when each is cheaper, plus checks on editions, access codes and the library.

Lucas Bernard4 min read

A stack of textbooks on a library table
Image by Hermann from Pixabay

Verdict: borrow first, rent second, buy last. Try the library or a classmate before spending anything. Rent a book you need for one term. Buy only if you will use it again or need to write in it.

Which wins on

FactorBorrowRentBuy
CostFree$ to $$$$ to $$$
Keep it after termNoNoYes
Write in itNoOften notYes
AvailabilityMay be limitedUsually goodAlways yours
ResaleNoneNonePossible

Pick borrow if

  • The library holds copies or a course reserve.
  • A classmate or senior has the book.
  • You only need a few chapters. Scan or photocopy only what the rules allow.

Be quick, since reserve copies go fast. Ask the lecturer if an older edition is acceptable.

Pick rent if

  • You need the whole book for one term only.
  • It is not part of your main subject.
  • The rental is clearly cheaper than buying, and the return date is easy to meet.

Read the rules on marking pages and returning on time. Late fees can wipe out the saving.

A student reading in a library with a borrowed book
Check the library before you check a shopImage by PourquoiPas from Pixabay

Pick buy if

  • It is a core book you will use across many courses.
  • You want to write notes in it.
  • A secondhand copy is cheap and in good shape.

Worked example with round numbers

Say a book costs AED 300 new. A rental is AED 120. A used copy is AED 150, and you can resell it for AED 60. These are example numbers only. Buying used and reselling costs about AED 90 net, which beats renting. If you cannot resell, renting wins. Do the sum for each book.

Rule that matters most

Check the edition and the access code before paying. Some courses need an online code that works once, so a used book may not be enough. Ask the lecturer or read the course page.

A short caution

Beware of copies from sellers you cannot contact, or files from sites that are not legal. Using them can break your college's rules. Stick to the library, the campus shop and sellers you can trust.

Where the answer flips

If the lecturer says the book is optional, skip it for now and wait for the first week. If the course is a core one, buying a used copy early saves stress later. Include textbooks in your shopping list by stage so they do not eat the reserve.

Digital copies and notes

Some books come as e-books. They can be cheaper, searchable and light, but you may lose access after the term, and you cannot resell them. Check the terms before buying. If you read better on paper, a printed copy may be worth the extra cost.

Ask your lecturer about slides and reading lists too. Many courses use short readings that the library provides. A good set of lecture notes sometimes does more for a grade than the textbook.

When to decide

Wait until the first week of class. By then you will know which books are used in every lecture and which are only on the list. Many students buy early, panic, and then use half the stack. Waiting a week costs little and often saves a lot.

Skip this term

  • Buying every book on the list before the first class.
  • Pricey bundles that include extras you do not need.
  • New copies of books the library has.

Quick questions

Do I need to buy all my textbooks?

Often not. Many courses use only parts of a book, or a library copy is enough.

Is renting cheaper than buying?

For a one-term book, usually. For a book you will use again, buying used can be cheaper.

What is an access code?

A code that unlocks online homework or extra material. It often works for one person only.

Can I use an older edition?

Sometimes. Ask your lecturer, since page numbers and questions can change.

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