This research study examined textbook costs and student success rates at one community college located in the Southwest United States. Descriptive statistics were used in the study to identify the mean textbook costs and student success rates over five semesters. Chi-square tests for independence were used to determine if a statistically significant relationship exists between textbook costs and student success rates based on course level of developmental, lower, or upper-level courses. The chi-square analysis found that there was not a statistically significant relationship between textbooks costs and student success rates in developmental courses. However, the chi-square tests of independence did find a statistically significant relationship between textbook costs and student success rates in lower and upper-level courses. Research shows students often opt not to purchase commercial textbooks due to costs, thus resulting in higher D, F, and W rates among college students. The results of this study support numerous recent research studies on the impact of textbook costs and student success.
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