Student Watch 2026
The Student Watch™ report investigates student attitudes and behaviors towards their course materials. The report contains insights related to student acquistion behaviors, academic spending trends, course material format preferences, and overall trends in the course materials space.
Student Watch is conducted once a year. More than 11,000 students at 34 institutions participated in the latest study.
Student Watch is underwritten by the NACS Foundation.
31%
About a third of students (31%) use AI tools for academic work once a week or more
77%
77% of students this year obtained all their required course materials
37%
Preference for digital materials (37%) surpassed preference for print materials (32%) for the third year in a row
Store members get complimentary access
Purchase the Report
Student Watch™: Attitudes and Behaviors toward Course Materials 2026
This fact-packed report contains:
- Acquisition behaviors including where, when, how, and what course materials are being obtained
- Leading sources for purchases and rentals
- Where and how students find value in course materials
- Cost challenges students face and how they pay for course materials
- Information on alternatives to traditional course materials including free materials, access programs, and not obtaining materials altogether
Survey Participants
FREE
NACS Institution/Store Members
FREE
NACS Affiliates
$499
Others
$999
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Student Watch™: Attitudes & Behaviors toward Course Materials 2026
