State of College Course Materials 2023-2025

State of College Course Materials 2023-2025

Simba Information’s latest State of College Course Materials 2023-2025 report found that student spending on course materials has dropped to the lowest level reported; an average of $285 per year per student. The report highlighted many changes and transformations in higher education that are directly impacting the market for college course materials. The changes and transformations include:

• An increase in the number of undergraduates looking to earn short-term credentials
• Higher education institution closures impacting an estimated 31,000 students
• A rise in federal and state government incentives and regulations to increase Open Educational Resources (OER) in colleges.
• An increase in AI usage among students and faculty but unresolved concerns remain on matters related to privacy and unauthorized uses by students

The State of College Course Materials 2023-2025 report details a wide range of other issues, trends, and forces impacting the market. These include the types of institutions where enrollment is increasing; the growth of distance education; federal and state policy and funding developments; print vs. digital growth in instructional materials; the rise of subscription and inclusive access plans; new technology trends; and company mergers & acquisitions and operating performance of key companies. Simba provides both sizing and context to the market segments of new course materials, both digital and print.

In sizing the market segments for this report, Simba follows the procedure it established in 2015 for how it breaks down market segments. Simba uses the market size for new course materials as provided by annual sales figures from the Association of American Publishers. Simba further breaks down that segment into new print textbooks and digital materials. Those breakdowns are Simba’s own estimates based on its ongoing research in the area of instructional materials in higher education.

Additionally, Simba tapped other third-party resources, and their contributions are cited throughout the report. Among those sources are: The College Board, the State Higher Education Executive Officers, the National Association of College Stores, the National Student Clearinghouse Research Center, the U.S. Department of Education National Center for Education Statistics/ Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS), the U.S. Department of Labor, Bay View Analytics, Student Monitor; National Student Clearinghouse Research Center (NSCRC); leading trade and news publications , World Economic Forum; State Higher Education Finance; National Governors Association; Apprenticeship.gov; Gallup; AAP; and company reports and financial statements.

Simba Information’s State of College Course Materials 2023-2025 report covers the following major categories outlining and impacting the market:

• Market Size and Enrollment
• Public v. Private Institutions
• Distance Learning
• For-Profit Institutions
• Federal Policy and Budget
• State Policy and Budget
• Workforce Development
• Apprenticeships
• Course Materials Spending
• Open Educational Resources (OER)
• Declining Confidence in Higher Education
• Changing Course Material Models
• Online Learning
• Company Acquisitions and Divestments

State of College Course Materials 2023-2025 contains detailed and granular data and analysis on key trends and developments with a special focus on:

• Market Size and Enrollment
• Policy and Funding
• Course Materials
• Industry Trends and Innovations
• Competitive Landscape