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The State of College Course Materials 2024-2026

Publisher Simba Information – Reports
Published Jan 08, 2025
Length 147 Pages
SKU # CURP19472180

Description

Simba Information’s The State of College Course Materials 2024-2026 provides an in-depth analysis of key trends and challenges shaping the higher education course materials market. The report highlights a 3.4% increase in undergraduate enrollment and a 8.4% rise in demand for short-term micro-credentials, reflecting a shift toward workforce-oriented education. At the same time, first-year enrollment has increased 5.5%, raising concerns about the broader demographic and systemic challenges in postsecondary education.

Affordability remains a critical issue, with average student spending on course materials dropping to $342 annually, the lowest in 16 years. This decline is driven by widespread adoption of Open Educational Resources (OER), inclusive access models, and digital-first solutions.

However, rising tuition, housing costs, and other fees continue to offset these savings, making affordability a persistent concern for students and families. Additionally, the report explores the growing adoption of artificial intelligence (AI), with 86% of students integrating it into their learning processes, while faculty adoption lags at just 14%.

The report also details the increasing state and local government funding for higher education, which reached $132.5 billion in fiscal year 2024, supporting Pell Grant expansion and affordability measures. These insights, along with an analysis of policy impacts and publisher strategies, make this report essential for stakeholders navigating a rapidly evolving educational landscape.

Table of Contents

147 Pages
  • Executive Summary
  • Methodology
    • Annual Percent Change in Fall Total Enrollment; Fall 2020-Fall 2024; (percent)
    • Institution Types and Numbers
    • Institutions with First Year Undergraduates
    • Distance Education
    • Federal Plan to Require Attendance Taking in Online Courses
    • For-Profit Institutions Enrollment
    • Higher Education Under Pressure: Closures, Mergers, and Acquisitions
    • Undergraduate and Graduate Enrollment Increased
    • Enrollment by Major Field of Study
    • High Cost of College Hinder Enrollment
    • Approaching the Enrollment Cliff
    • Cost of Attending College in 2024-2025
    • Cost of Attending College in 2025-2027
    • Federal Funding for Higher Education
    • Cost of Coursebook Materials
    • Why Is Student Spending on Course Materials Declining?
    • Faculty Concerned by Textbook Affordability: The Growing Share of Open Educational Resources
    • The Emergence of Z-Degrees
    • Outlook for College Course Materials
    • Confidence in Higher Education Now Sharply Split
    • Colleges Reorganizing Academic Programs
    • The Emergence of Accelerated Degrees
    • The Awareness and Use of OER Dwindling
    • Digital Textbooks Have Not Fully Won Professors Yet
    • Higher Education Diverged in AI Adoption
    • Acquisitions, Divestment, and Funding
    • 2024 Activity
    • Major Competitors
    • Future Performance
    • Competitive Performance Year-to-Date

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