Look to your classmates

When sitting in lectures for a class, there are plenty of downtimes that presents an opportunity to speak with your classmates about their textbooks. You could also see if they are willing to sell or swap books to get college textbooks for cheap.

Buy used from a previous student

In some cases, students return their textbooks the next semester and the bookstore sells them as used copies. If this happens, look closely at whether or not it is a new version of the textbook. Newer editions may be more expensive than older ones for no reason other than to get students to buy the newest ones.

Check the used book store

The first place that students might consider is a used college textbook bookstore. These can be a great source of older editions and books that have been basically replaced by the professor. Check the bookstore in the college, but also check local thrift stores and garage sales to see what you can find.

Rent your textbooks

Another option to get college textbooks for cheap is to rent them. This will be a great option if you are not concerned about having that textbook for an extended period of time or need it only for one semester. You could check out a service like Chegg or Amazon, both of which have rental options.

Buy/Rent your textbooks online

An option that may save you money is to find the books online. The internet can be great for finding cheap used college textbooks, but it can also be useful when buying new textbooks. Buying directly from the publisher (like Wiley or Pearson) can give you access to the book immediately and save you some money. You can also sell textbooks at some sites, getting cashback in your pocket for additional expenses or for your next round of books. Some of these are listed below in alphabetical order.