Textbook Costs
Students can find out about textbooks and other materials they will need for enrolled classes, or classes they’re considering taking, from a number of resources:
- Student Center on My UW (my.wisc.edu): Textbooks are listed on a student’s enrolled-class list and on the Class Search.
- Campus-area bookstores.
- Instructor e-mail messages sent shortly before classes begin: Some instructors will e-mail the syllabus to enrolled students, which may list course materials and required textbooks.
Textbooks can be expensive. See below for some costsaving alternatives. Students should be sure to purchase the correct textbook edition. The international Standard Book Number (ISBN), the 10-digit number that uniquely identifies books published internationally, is included in the Student Center Textbooks listing, if the instructor has provided it.
- Look early for used copies (sources include ASM Textbook Swap and local bookstores that buy back textbooks).
- Shop at an online marketplace, such as Amazon, eBay, or Exchange Hut. Please note that these are private companies not affiliated with or endorsed by UW–Madison.
- Consider renting through a local bookstore or an online textbook rental site. (Do a Google search online for “textbook rental.”)
- With support from the UW Foundation Parent Fund, campus libraries keep copies of high-cost textbooks on reserve. Check the UW libraries website “Course Reserves” section.
Students may also be required to purchase course packets, lab equipment, and/or art materials. Those items are available at campus or local stores.
For more information and advice, visit the Office of the Registrar's website.