College textbooks inflation
College textbooks prices since 2002
Up 149%
An average of 3.86% a year, compared with 86% for all U.S. prices (overall CPI). $100 of 2002 college textbooks costs $249.19 in August 2026.
Last 12 months (to August 2026)
-1.1%
All U.S. prices, same period
3.4%
Data since
2002
How much college textbooks prices have risen
Calculate college textbooks inflation
Inflation rate by year
Every year since 2002
| Year | Index | Change | $1 then costs now |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 261.5 | 8.6% | $0.99 |
| 2024 | 240.7 | 0.1% | $1.08 |
| 2023 | 240.5 | -2.2% | $1.08 |
| 2022 | 245.9 | 4.4% | $1.06 |
| 2021 | 235.5 | 1.0% | $1.10 |
| 2020 | 233.3 | -1.5% | $1.11 |
| 2019 | 236.9 | -2.4% | $1.10 |
| 2018 | 242.6 | 1.0% | $1.07 |
| 2017 | 240.3 | 2.6% | $1.08 |
| 2016 | 234.2 | 5.5% | $1.11 |
| 2015 | 222.0 | 5.9% | $1.17 |
| 2014 | 209.6 | 3.9% | $1.24 |
| 2013 | 201.7 | 6.4% | $1.29 |
| 2012 | 189.6 | 6.9% | $1.37 |
| 2011 | 177.3 | 5.1% | $1.46 |
| 2010 | 168.8 | 5.4% | $1.54 |
| 2009 | 160.2 | 7.5% | $1.62 |
| 2008 | 149.0 | 7.5% | $1.74 |
| 2007 | 138.6 | 8.3% | $1.87 |
| 2006 | 128.0 | 6.4% | $2.03 |
| 2005 | 120.3 | 4.2% | $2.16 |
| 2004 | 115.5 | 4.1% | $2.25 |
| 2003 | 111.0 | 6.5% | $2.34 |
| 2002 | 104.2 | $2.49 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, CPI-U series CUUR0000SSEA011, not seasonally adjusted. Index values are relative (only the changes matter), so they can't be compared across categories.
Questions
- How much have college textbooks prices gone up since 2002?
- College textbooks prices rose 149% from 2002 to August 2026, faster than overall prices (86%).
- What is the inflation rate for college textbooks right now?
- College textbooks prices were 1.1% lower in August 2026 than a year earlier.
- What did $100 of college textbooks in 2002 cost in August 2026?
- $249.19.
- Where does this data come from?
- The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics price index for college textbooks (series CUUR0000SSEA011), part of the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers. It tracks price changes for the same kind of item over time, not average prices.