The cost of books is absolutely outrageous! On my campus, the professors try to keep the cost down by ordering books that are older, announcing books early by email to class lists (so we may order them online), and by using the same book for multiple classes (usually in sciences, for majors). We also have a small, independent bookstore that cuts the cost 10% under the campus bookstore (owned by B & N). Even with all these cost cutting measures, my book for an Art History, lower division, GE was $175 USED!