Textbooks can be a major expense for college students. Books for a single course can total in the hundreds, and a semester's worth of books can be over a thousand dollars.
A recent New York Times article discusses the pitfalls of buying textbooks directly from your school:
"With this year's news about the ways some unscrupulous colleges make an extra buck off students' naiveté - from loan officers who accepted lenders' kickbacks to schools that got cash incentives to steer students to expensive study-abroad programs - I felt it was expedient to warn my daughter about a big expense that looms before her.Textbooks.
"Can't I just buy them at the campus bookstore?" she asked.
I shuddered. As much as I hate to micromanage, I felt compelled to remind her that taking that approach can cost the average college student $700 to $1,000 a year for books, according to a Congressional advisory committee report released in May."
Online students may not have access physical college bookstores, but most virtual colleges provide links for their students to purchase books. Beware of buying your books from your school - chances are you'll end up paying much more than you should.
Instead, check out the online booksellers listed in the New York Times article. I know students who are saving hundreds of dollars this semester by purchasing books from alternative sources such as Amazon and Half.com.
Top Online Colleges
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Kaplan University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Kaplan University is a dynamic institution that offers accredited, online degrees to students seeking to jump start a new career. Kaplan University makes it easy for students to get the college degree that they want.
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Ashford University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Ashford University has a rich tradition of online educational excellence. This excellence is shown in the quality of each class that every student receives.
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University of Phoenix - Associate's, Bachelor's, Master's, & Doctoral Degrees. University of Phoenix shows each student how easy and convenient it is to earn your college degree through their distance learning program. Students can choose to learn at home or from a campus location near you.
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Liberty University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At Liberty University, students educational goals and needs are met by an outstanding faculty and support staff. Any adult learner looking to go back to school will be pleased with the course offerings available at Liberty University.
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American InterContinental University Online - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. At American InterContinental University, every individual has an opporunity to receive an excellent college degree and the ability to maximize their human potential. American InterContinental University allows you to pick a time and place that fits your schedule.
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DeVry University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Students who attend DeVry University are welcomed with an outstanding faculty who put each students needs and dreams first. DeVry University is an accredited university that offers affordable degrees.
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Everest University - Associate's, Bachelor's, & Master's Degrees. Everest University is committed to the on-going commitment of providing each student with a high-quality, low-cost online education. Everest University has a well rounded faculty with real world experience.
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Westwood College - Associate's & Bachelor's Degrees. Westwood College uses a student-centric approach to its educational curriculum and each student benefits from this ideal. Westwood College is an accredited university with degrees in high-growth industries.
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