OER at UMD

The University of Maryland estimates that students spend an average of $1,250 on textbooks and supplies per year, and these costs directly impact learning outcomes. A 2014 Maryland PIRG survey at UMD found that:

• 65% of students have skipped purchasing a required textbook due to cost.

• 48% of students consider textbook costs when enrolling in their courses.

• 82% of students said they would do significantly better in a course if the textbook were free online and a hard copy was optional.

In the decade since, the cost of living has skyrocketed and prospective U.S. college students express waning confidence in the value of higher education. Amid this complex landscape, textbook affordability has remained a top priority for UMD's Student Government Association and MaryPIRG.

High-quality open and affordable resources are more in demand than ever before, but they're also much easier to locate and use. A 2023 report found that nearly one third (29%) of U.S. higher education faculty now require an OER in their courses.