When higher education institutions implement engaging digital learning resources delivered through Affordable Access programs, they increase access, affordability, and student success.

What are Affordable Access Programs?

Affordable Access programs are digital-first course material delivery models that ensure all students have access to materials on the first day of class at a reduced cost.

Student Spending on Course Materials is Down

Tuition, Fees, Housing, and Food of Four-Year Institutions (2014-2025)

Four-Year University

Student Spending on Course Materials (2014-2025)

Student Watch reports

40% decline

in student spending on course materials over the past decade.

Ma, Jennifer, Matea Pender, and Meghan Oster (2024). Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2024, College Board. p.11, p.13., https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing

Association of American Publishers . (2025, August 25). New reports from Student Watch and student monitor show that students are saving more and spending less on course materials - aap. AAP - The Voice of American Publishing. https://publishers.org/news/new-reports-from-student-watch-and-student-monitor-show-that-students-are-saving-more-and-spending-less-on-course-materials/

Course completion rates increase when students have day-one access to course materials

“We’ve seen a 3% decrease in students withdrawing from courses in the first 12 class days because of day-one access. In the last four or five years, we’ve also seen about a 10% increase in completion rates.”

– Senior Vice Provost of Academic Services, Dallas College

Bryant, G., McVety, C. (2025, April). Course Materials in Higher Education. Tyton Partners. p.12., https://tytonpartners.com/course-materials-in-higher-education/

Course Materials Account for Just 1% of Annual Student Costs

Public Four-Year In-State On-Campus 2025

Ma, Jennifer, Matea Pender, and Xiaowen Hu (2025). Trends in College Pricing and Student Aid 2025, College Board. p.11., https://research.collegeboard.org/trends/college-pricing

Advancing Learning through AI-Based Course Materials

agree that students need to know how to use GenAI for future jobs and careers.

Shaw, C., Dorn, H., Martin, S., Hay, L., Janson, N., & Bryant, G. (2025, June). Time for Class - 2025. Tyton Partners. p. 7., https://tytonpartners.com/time-for-class-2025/

Personal use of GenAI tools has increased across all institutional audiences since spring 2023.

Shaw, C., Dorn, H., Martin, S., Hay, L., Janson, N., & Bryant, G (2025, June). Time for Class - 2025. Tyton Partners. pg. 6., https://tytonpartners.com/time-for-class-2025/

Improved familiarity with courseware and AI platforms for faculty results in decreased time spent on:

• Grading and data analytics (-1.3 hours)

• Course creation (-1.4 hours)

This makes up over

two thirds of the time reduced

for instructors.

Shaw, C., Dorn, H., Martin, S., Hay, L., Janson, N., & Bryant, G. (2025, June). Time for Class - 2025. Tyton Partners. p. 28., https://tytonpartners.com/time-for-class-2025/