Report Overview
Usage of AI in the classroom is increasing and finding success, but what are the concerns?
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Privacy
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Unauthorized uses that may impede students’ development of foundational skills
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:
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An increase in the number of undergraduates looking to earn short-term credentials
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Higher education institution closures impacting an estimated 31,000 students
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A rise in federal and state government incentives and regulations to increase Open Educational Resources (OER) in colleges.
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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:
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Market Size and Enrollment
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Public v. Private Institutions
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Distance Learning
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For-Profit Institutions
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Federal Policy and Budget
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State Policy and Budget
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Workforce Development
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Apprenticeships
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Course Materials Spending
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Open Educational Resources (OER)
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Declining Confidence in Higher Education
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Changing Course Material Models
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Online Learning
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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:
Institution Types and Numbers
Public vs. Private
The institutions vary by type but they form the core of the U.S. market for postsecondary instructional materials. The two main types of degree/certificate-granting institutions are:
Two-year institutions generally focus on student instruction and related activities that often include providing a range of career-oriented programs at the certificate and associate degree levels and preparing students for transfer to four-year institutions.
Four-year institutions tend to have a broad range of instructional programs at the undergraduate level leading to bachelor’s degrees. Many four-year institutions offer graduate level programs as well, and some four-year institutions have a strong research focus.
These institutions may be governed by publicly appointed or elected officials, with major support from public funds, or by privately elected or appointed officials, with major support from private sources. Private institutions are operated either as nonprofits or on a for-profit basis.
Despite the ubiquity of state university and college systems, higher education in the U.S. is dominated by private institutions. Private institutions as listed in Table 1.1 represented 67% of higher education institutions in 2022-2023. There were 2,068 more private institutions than public ones in 2022-2023.