So, you are moving out of your dorm room or out of your parent’s house for the first time. There is a lot to be excited about, but it can also be an incredibly nerve-wracking experience.

Moving out is a step toward independence; you finally have your own space and the ability to decorate it any way you want. But with so many options it can be difficult to figure out where to start.

First, what is your style? Minimalistic, rustic, bright, dark, rainbow, monochrome? College apartment decor can be overwhelming, but once you get started the fun begins and it all falls into place.

In this article, I have provided 50 of the best college apartment decor ideas. If you pick from these ideas to get started, I am sure that your apartment is going to look amazing!

1. Mail and Key organizer Wall Mount

Do you have multiple roommates? Do you have a tendency to misplace your keys? Are you not sure what to do with mail until you want to go through it?

Then this mail and key organizer wall mount is the perfect college apartment decor item. The mount has several keys for you, your roommates and even guests to hang up their keys upon walking inside.

That way you know exactly where your keys are when you need to leave again. It also has a slot for you to place any mail in.

You can put any mails that are not yours until your roommate gets home, your bills can stay there until you are ready to pay them, or even just a place for the coupons that are sent in the mail that you may or may not use.

This would be perfect right next to the front door, for easy access upon arriving home and leaving. We have a holder with slots for our mail and mail box key right next to our front door at my apartment and it has become very useful. I have no doubt, this wall mount would be just as useful.

2. Cocktail Mixology Art Print

Who does not love trying some new cocktail recipes. I know in our apartment, we love finding new drinks to make and try. This next decor idea will help provide you with some go to cocktail recipes.

This art print has recipes to several classic cocktails that you can make at home. This can be hung up in your kitchen for easy access whenever you are in the mood for a drink.

Not only is it decorative, but it is also helpful. You can even create a fun little alcohol section in your kitchen with the poster and any alcohol and cups you may have. It can be your own little cocktail bar in your apartment.

3. LED Color Changing Photo Clip Lights

One of the key features in my apartment bedroom is all of the photos I have put up on my walls. I love covering my walls in memories with my friends and family from over the years.

I think it gives a personal touch to the room. This is why these LED color-changing photo clip lights are a fantastic college apartment decor idea.

4. Alcohol Wooden Sign

5. Magnetic Dry Erase Calendar

Finally moving into your own place is exciting. However, it is important to keep yourself organized. Stay organized when bills are due, when you need to buy groceries and when you have classes.

Maybe you have people who want to visit, you need to know when they are coming. If you are living with roommates it is important to know when they may have visitors or if they will be gone etc.

This is why this magnetic dry erase calendar is a great addition to any college apartment. You can have one in your room for your own schedule and/or one in your kitchen for you and your roommates to use.

Each person can have a different color, and one for things that affect everyone. Mark when bills are due, when you want to get the cleaning done, if you are going out of town.

I have used something similar in the past and it can be helpful when you are living with multiple people. Plus, each month you just erase and write in new dates. Saves wasting a paper calendar and can be used year after year.

6. “Apartment Sweet Apartment” Pillow 

7. Engraved Glass Bathroom Jar

8. Corner Shower Caddy

9. Aesthetic Wall Collage Kit

These aesthetic wall collages are on the rise over the last few years. I will say, I love the idea and think it is a great way to decorate your room.

You can pick whatever color combination or vibe fits you the best. You can for black and white, yellow, rainbow, blue, whatever fits you.

All you need is a free space on your wall. It can be whatever size you want. You can put a small or large collage in whatever space is open.

Plus, the premade kits take away the time-consuming work of finding pictures that fit the aesthetic you want. All you need to do is put up the collage.

This is a simple and creative way of showing off your personality in your brand new room in your brand-new college apartment.

10. Hangovers Cure Sign

This next college apartment decor idea will go nicely next to the cocktail recipe poster and near the alcohol wooden sign. Many college students have experienced a hangover or two during their college years.

This is why this hangover cure sign will make a great addition to your apartment. This fun poster provides a list of several unique cures for the dreaded hangover.

These cures come from different countries around the world. Many of these cures, you most likely have not heard of before. So put this poster up and try the different cures listed over your time in your apartment. You can even mark the effectiveness.

RELATED: 50 Dorm Room Must-Haves for College Students in 2021

11. Tapestry

If you have been in or seen a picture of any college dorm room or bedroom in recent years, then you may have noticed that tapestries are a common decor item. They come in a variety of designs, colors, sizes, patterns, etc.

You can find one that fits your personality. You can find one in your favorite color, the color scheme of your apartment or bedroom, a fun pattern or a design like a sky or flowers.

This is an easy way to decorate several spaces in your apartment. You can put one in your living room, bedroom, hallway, etc. They can be hung up easily with a command strip as well.

They are also inexpensive. Making this an easy, and cost-saving decoration idea.

12. Succulents

So, you are moving into your new apartment and you want to get some plants to bring some life into the apartment. However, you have never owned a plant before and fear you may kill it quickly.

Well, then I have the perfect idea for you. Get some succulents. They do not require a lot of water. Just water them every once in a while. They are perfect for those who are not experienced in taking care of plants.

They are simple and low maintenance. They are also good to place around the apartment to bring some green into the place.

13. Welcome Mat

This is a must-have in any home or apartment. This mat not only sends a welcome message to whoever enters our apartment, but it also provides something for you and your guests to wipe off any dirt on their shoes before they walk into your place.

You can have some fun with this welcome mat. You can keep it simple with just welcome, you can personalize it with a fun message, you can have your name on there, make it a bright color, etc.

Whatever direction you choose to take, just make sure it fits your personality. It does not have to be extravagant if that is not what you want. At my apartment, we have a mat that says home with the outline of Ohio as the ‘o’ because we are from Ohio. Just make sure the mat reflects you.

14. Artificial Vines 

This next college apartment decor idea is versatile. These artificial vines can be used all over your apartment. You can use it as garland on railings, you can hang it on your walls, place around furniture, twist it together and create cool designs.

The possibilities are endless. This idea will let you use your creativity to do some interior decorating. You can use some of it, or all of it. It is also not expensive. You can get over two hundred feet of the vines for ten dollars.

Allowing for many options for decorations for a low price. It cannot get better than that.

15. CD Wall Poster

16. Floor Lamp with Shelves

17. Butterfly Motivational Wall Decor

18. Moon Phases Glass Metal Mirror Set

19. Desktop Organizer

20. Fluffy Rug

Who does not love something soft and fluffy? This is why this next item is perfect for any college apartment. It is a fluffy rug that will go perfectly in your bedroom. If your bedroom does not have carpet, this rug will be perfect.

You can keep it next to your bed so when you get out of bed in the morning you immediately step on something soft and fluffy. It will warm up your feet when the weather gets cold.

You can get whatever color matches the color scheme of your bedroom. You can also choose what size will work the best. This can also work well in your living room as well.

Wherever you choose to put this rug, it will add to the room and keep your feet warm and comfortable.

RELATED: 70 Best Dorm Gifts For College Students – The Complete 2021 Guide

21. Laundry Sorter Cart

22. Marquee Letter Lights

Have you ever wanted to see your name in lights? Then this next college apartment decor idea will help make this dream a reality. This is a marquee letter light that you can get your first initial, first and last initial, you can spell out your name or word.

The possibilities are endless. Maybe you and your roommates can pick a word and get all the letters to spell it out and have it in your living room or kitchen.

You could even get all your initials and use the lights as decorations. I think all of those ideas would be great decor ideas. It is something that is cute and fun.

Plus, each letter is ten dollars, so it is not super expensive, especially if you only want to get a letter or so.

23. Love Neon Sign

24. Floating Shelves

25. Fishnet Wall decoration

26. LED Desk Lamp with Wireless Charger

27. Scented Candles

Recently, I have been becoming obsessed with candles. I have accumulated several over the last year and they are covering my dresser. With that in mind, it is obvious that scented candles are a perfect college apartment decor item.

There are hundreds of different candle scents available for you to choose from. Ones that are more floral, fruity, woody, minty, some that are strong, some that are more subtle.

Whatever your preference is, there is a candle out there that fits it. You can get a large or small candle. You can get one or multiple. Whichever route you go, scented candles will be perfect for your apartment.

You can have one in your room, one for your living room. That way, whatever room you are in, your apartment will smell amazing.

28. Woven Wall Art Decor

29. LED Rose Flower String Lights

30. Dresser Tower

You are going to need a place to store all your clothes when you move into your new apartment. This is why this next decor item is going to come in handy. This is a dresser tower that has five different drawers.

Two large drawers and three smaller ones. You can organize your clothing items in the drawers however you would like. You can put pants, jeans in one, shorts in one, shirts in one, etc.

If you do not think you can fit everything in one set, you can get two of the sets, two of the same or maybe two different ones. Just get what fits your needs and fits your style.

If you also have a closet, then you may not need as much drawer space. However, this black/gray and gold dresser set is stylish, sleek and can fit in multiple spaces and can be moved as needed.

31. Ottoman

This next item doubles as a room decor item and storage item. This is a square ottoman that the lid opens up and you can store various items in. You can store extra blankets, books, sheets, etc. in the ottoman.

No one would know what you have stored there unless they open up the lid. Plus, you can get it black, grey, tan, white, whatever color works best for your apartment.

My roommate has one similar in black and she has used it for storage since our first year in the dorms. She has stored items like shoes, cards, games, etc. in there over the years. It comes in handy when you have items that you need to store, but also need easy access to.

32. Shoe Shelf Organizer

Trying to find the best way to organize your shoes can be a struggle. No matter how you organize it, they get messed up again shortly after you wear a pair and just throw them back in your closet or back where you keep them.

I have struggled to keep my shoes organized for years. This is why this shoe shelf organizer will come in extremely handy. This can be used in your closet to keep your shoes organized.

You can keep the shoes you wear every day on the top and the shoes you wear less on the bottom. Or maybe keep your everyday shoes separate from the ones you do not wear as often.

You can also keep a rack by your front door for you to place your shoes when you get home and for your guests to place their shoes. That way your shoes that you easily slip on and off stay organized as well.

33. Four Tier Shelf

34. Bean Bag Chair

You are going to want someone comfy to sit and relax in your new college apartment. This is why this next item will be a huge hit in your apartment.

It is a giant bean bag chair that you can use to sit in but could also be used to sleep in. This will be great for guests to use in case you do not have another space for them to sleep in or they want to sleep somewhere other than a couch to sleep on.

You could also use it for naps or just to sit back and watch tv or relax. This comes in a variety of colors, so you have many options to choose from. This is a more pricey item on the list, but it is worth it.

It has a variety of uses and can be used after moving out of that apartment. It can be used for years and provides comfort and relaxation.

35. Metal Mesh Wire Grid Panel

36. Computer Desk with Storage

37. Cozy Saucer Chair

38. Candy and Cookie Jar

In my apartment, we have a dish that we use to keep candy on a side table in our living room. It is pretty handy because we just put candy in and refill it as needed.

Then we can have candy when we want some and it is also there for guests if they would like some. Having a jar like that in your apartment is a great idea.

This clear jar can be easily placed on a counter or table and can be filled with whatever you would like. You could put candy, cookies or whatever you would like.

Then once it is empty, you could refill it with the same thing or something different. It is great not only for guests, but also a quick and easy snack for you whenever you need it.

39. Countertop Organizer

40. Three Tier Wood/Metal Cart

RELATED: 30 Best Dorm Room Ideas You Will Absolutely Need in College

41. Throw Blanket

There are some items that are just classic decor items that should be in any home or apartment. A throw blanket is one of those items. I have a gray throw blanket in my apartment that lays on a chair in the corner of our living room.

I often use this blanket as I am watching tv or doing work in our living room. It is not too heavy or light and is just right for relaxing. This is why a throw blanket would be great to have in your living room.

It can be draped over a couch or chair until it is needed. It does not have to be an expensive or fancy blanket. Just a simple blanket that goes with the colors of your apartment.

Then when you get cold or want to curl up on the couch with a good book or something, you can easily grab the blanket and snuggle up.

42. Throw Pillows

Another classic item that every home or apartment should have is some throw pillows. We have several on our couches in my apartment.

They stay tucked in the corners of our couches and they are used for us to lay on or move to the floor if we need more space. They are of various sizes and colors.

You can choose what kind would fit best in your apartment. You can have one or multiple. Maybe all the same color and size or maybe various colors and sizes.

Whatever vibe you are going for, there are the perfect throw pillows out there for you. They are a must-have in any college apartment.

43. Decorative Wine Bottles

In my apartment, we have four wine bottles that we painted to spell out the abbreviation for the name of our college. They are placed on top of our cabinets where we keep all of the alcohol bottles.

I think decorative wine bottles are a great decor item and can serve a variety of purposes. This is why these decorative wine bottles would be great in your apartment.

These matte black bottles can be used for flowers, as a centerpiece, you can write on them with chalk. They are also various sizes, which can help create a creative look wherever you decide to place them.

The matte black look is elegant and sleek, which creates a look of elegance in whatever room they are in.

44. Round Marble Table

45. Fun Curtains

Do you want a way to keep the sun out of your apartment, but also keep it stylish, then some fun curtains are the way to go. You can get long or short curtains. They can also be a solid color or a fun pattern.

You can put them up in your bedroom or other windows in your apartment. You can keep them all the same or have different ones in each room. Either way, this is a simple way to decorate and add some color and fun to a room.

You could even get black-out curtains if the sun tends to wake you up early in the morning. Whatever way you go, curtains are a great way to decorate your apartment.

46. Futon

47. Potted Plant

48. World Map Wall Art

I dream of traveling the world. This is why this next college apartment decor item would be something I would love to have in my apartment. It is wall art that is a giant map of the world.

You will need a good amount of wall space in order to hang this up. So this may be good for above your couch or bed. You could mark off places you have been or you could leave it be.

Either way, it is a good reminder of all the places you could go. I would look at the map as an inspiration to keep working hard and going after what I want. So, if you also want to travel the world, then this is the perfect wall art option for you.

49. Mason Jar Sconces 

50. Vases

Having a multifunction vase or vases is always something good to have on hand. These modern vases are perfect for that. They are different from the typical glass vases you will typically see.

Plus they are different sizes, so depending on what you need, then you will have one that fits that need. You can use them for flowers or just for decoration.

They are white and gray and give off a rustic and modern feel. They are essential for every apartment or home, but they are also modern and rustic looking. So you get both useful and stylish in one.

Final Thoughts on College Apartment Decor

I hope these college apartment decor ideas help steer you in the decoration for your own apartment. Trying to find the perfect decorations for your apartment can be a difficult and tedious task.

But once you find your direction, it can be fun, exciting and creative. Do not stress too much, just take a breath and it will all fall into place.

Maybe with one of these ideas, maybe with something completely different. However, as long as the decorations reflect your own personality and design ideas, that is all that matters.

Do you want more ideas? Watch the video below.

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Paying for college is getting increasingly expensive. When you think you’re done paying for room and board, you still have school supplies to worry about! 

However, if there’s one thing you can do to save a ton of cash, it’s buying used textbooks. Why pay hundreds of dollars for a book you’ll likely only ever use once? 

Check out this ultimate guide for the best places to buy used textbooks. 

BIGWORDS

Save up to 90% on used textbooks with BIGWORDS! This site helps you compare the prices for all online textbook stores at once, so you can find the best and most affordable option for you and your family. 

Basically, it calculates every option you have in terms of deals from different sellers (plus shipping and handling), so you can see which sellers to buy from and how to save the most money. 

You can also use BIGWORDS to sell your textbooks when you’re done with them at the end of the year. There are tons of ways you can use this helpful site! Check it out here. 

AllBookstores

AllBookstores is another great used textbook price comparison site. Here, you can compare prices from more than 3,000 online bookstores and sellers. You can buy new or used textbooks, and renting a book is also an option. 

This also isn’t a website strictly for textbooks; you can find anything from fiction to cookbooks for all your reading needs. Of course, at the end of the semester, you can use AllBookstores to sell them back! Check it out here. 

eCampus

At eCampus, there are loads of ways for you to make the most out of your textbooks! For starters, shipping is free with orders over $35, and you can even customize your orders for how long you want to rent out your textbooks. 

Plus, you can highlight up to a third of your rented textbook, and you can write in it — as long as it’s not excessive. 

While eCampus is mainly for temporarily renting textbooks, you have the option to purchase if that’s what you want! Check it out here. 

Related:  15 Best Websites to Download Free College Textbooks Online 

BetterWorldBooks

With BetterWorldBooks, you’re guaranteed a satisfactory experience when it comes to buying the textbooks you need. 

In case you don’t have your book’s information, the site makes it really easy to find anything you’re looking for. You can find dozens of categories in the search bar, ranging from architecture books to travel books, and you can even buy CDs! 

They have standard free shipping, along with all sorts of rewards systems and gift certificates to make getting used textbooks in the future even easier. Check it out here. 

Campus Book Rentals

Study cheaper with Campus Book Rentals! This site has helped over 1 million students save money on used textbooks and make education more affordable. 

You have the option to rent a new or used textbook, and the site also has a support team you can call at any time to get the best value out of your books. If you’re done with a textbook, Campus Book Rentals will help you sell it too! Check it out here.

Cengage

Cengage works a little differently from these other booksellers. Of course, they have the traditional option of renting used textbooks for a certain period of time, but in my opinion, they also offer something more interesting. 

For just $69.99 a semester (which is basically the price of one textbook), you get access to 14,000 digital textbooks, study guides, and test prep sheets through their program Cengage Unlimited eTextbook. 

Online textbooks plus supplementary materials sound like a good deal to me! Check it out here. 

AbeBooks

For 25 years, AbeBooks has been helping college students save big on used textbooks. A good part of their textbook selection comes from independent booksellers, and many are even local bookstores in your area! 

AbeBooks also boasts some of the cheapest prices on the market. Some used copies have even sold for $1 plus shipping! 

AbeBooks even has some art, collectible, and even rare editions of textbooks, if that’s of interest to you. 

I’m totally down to buy a cool edition of a textbook I need while also supporting a local independent bookseller! Check it out here. 

Related: 5 Surprisingly Easy Ways Students Can Save Money Throughout College

BookFinder 

BookFinder wants to help you have the most affordable education possible, and the first step is saving up to hundreds of dollars on textbooks. The site has up to 150 million books for sale, including new, used, rare, and out-of-print editions. 

You can find books from booksellers in over 50 countries, as well as books written in English, French, German, Italian, and Dutch. 

I’d recommend BookFinder if you plan on studying abroad anytime soon; they clearly cater to international audiences! Check it out here. 

Amazon

You can also find some great deals for used textbooks on Amazon! Their philosophy is that by saving big on textbooks, you have money left for the real-life lessons that matter. 

The site is super organized, so you can find what you need more easily (categories range from computers and internet to engineering), and you can even find some test preps and study guides! 

Plus, if you have younger siblings or know some school-aged children, Amazon also offers some K-12 practice worksheets. 

You can also get the textbooks as a Kindle option, and if you join Prime Student, you get free 2-day shipping! Check it out here.

Barnes & Noble 

It’s no surprise that the biggest booksellers in America also have you covered if you need used textbooks. The site has millions of textbooks to choose from, with some even selling for as low as 70% off. 

Barnes & Noble also guarantees high-quality books with no stains or missing pages, and this even applies to their available study guides and workbooks. You have the option of buying new or used textbooks, and you can sell your own! Check it out here.

Chegg 

Chegg is one of the most established used booksellers on the internet, so you’re bound to find what you need. 

Save up to 90% on Chegg’s enormous inventory of used textbooks. You also get free shipping if you spend $45 or more! 

Another great thing about Chegg is all the other benefits the site offers to help further your education. They have study materials, tutors, and even an internship-finding center! Check it out here. 

Related: 11 Life-Changing Nonfiction Books For College Students To Read Before Graduation

Half Price Books

Half Price Books has hundreds of millions of books, music, movies, and anything else you’re looking to save money on buying! 

The site has a large network of independent booksellers (yay for small businesses!) that are ready to offer you competitive and affordable deals on the materials you need. 

Half Price Books has some in-person locations, but it’s totally easy to find books on their online marketplace too. 

Every single used textbook comes with detailed information about the book’s condition, so rest assured you’re getting your money’s worth! Check it out here.

Alibris 

Make the most out of buying your used textbooks by using Alibris! The site has a 100% satisfaction guarantee and affordable shipping. 

At Alibris, you buy your books from independent sellers worldwide who must maintain a strict code of service to continue collaborating with the site. 

With over 170 million available books on the site, you’re bound to find what you need at a reasonable price! Check it out here.

eBay Who doesn’t love finding a good deal on eBay? At eBay, you know exactly where your money is going as well as the quality of your products. There are millions of options available, and eBay has tons of different deals every day to help you save! 

Plus, the site is extremely well organized; you can find tabs for just about anything, including publication year, condition, price, and buying format. Check it out here. 

BookScouter 

BookScouter is designed so you can do the least amount of work possible. It makes shopping for your used textbooks a stress-free endeavor. 

With just one click, you’ll be connected to tons of online companies with the book you need so you can find the best deal. 

They’ve also got you covered when it comes to selling your textbooks when the time comes. With their high standards for both the books they sell and the books they take, you know you’ll get your money’s worth with this reliable site! Check it out here. 

 

Thrift Books 

Thrift Books is so great, it’s been helping me save forever! It has its own site, but Thrift Books also sells through Amazon, eBay, AbeBooks, and other bookselling websites. 

They have all kinds of deals and rewards if you create an account, and you can even buy music and video games! 

You also get free shipping on any order over $10. That’s a steal! Check it out here. 

 

Powell’s

Powell’s Books has been in business since 1971. They’ve been helping people save for 50 years now! They have tons of used textbooks, and their prices are seriously affordable. 

The website is super easy to navigate, and Powell’s Books customer service will make sure you have the best possible experience. Check it out here. 

 

Book Depository 

Book Depository is a fantastic international bookseller. They offer millions of books with free worldwide shipping — no minimum spending fee required! 

Along with English, Book Depository has books written in French, German, Polish, Italian, Finnish, and Spanish. 

And if you’re looking for other books to read, you can check out their Bargain Shop for all of the latest deals! Check it out here. 

 

Goodwill Books 

Goodwill Books is another great and affordable selection of used textbooks. The site doesn’t have a textbook option over $25! 

Goodwill Books has booksellers all over the country, and every purchase goes to providing free job services and career development support to the community. It’s always a good idea to shop at Goodwill and help somebody out! Check it out here. 

 

Book Outlet 

Book Outlet is such a great resource for buying books! Shipping is free after a $35 purchase, and they have deals up to 90% off. 

Book Outlet doesn’t have a single textbook that costs above $20, and every book is guaranteed to come in good condition. 

You can also look on their website to find all the records of Book Outlet’s book donations. I always feel good knowing I’m supporting an ethical business! Check it out here. 

Hopefully, this list gives you an idea of where to get started to find some great deals on used textbooks. 

Final Thoughts on Used Texbooks

College bookstores usually drastically inflate their prices, and it really doesn’t make a difference whether or not somebody owned your textbook before. You’re still getting a good education! 

Besides, it’s pretty easy to sell your textbooks once you don’t need them anymore, so you’ll likely be getting money back at the end of the semester. Used textbooks have so many financial benefits, you’ll be learning and saving all year long! 

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To be frank, college is expensive. There are tuition payments, dining plans, dorming, potential health insurance fees, lab fees, and more. On top of these payments, classes are going to require textbooks.

There are many options for saving money on textbooks: buying used books, renting online, or borrowing from a friend. Textbooks can cost upwards of 100 dollars, and with a full course load, that would be 500 dollars per semester!

Obtaining textbooks without having to pay outrageous prices is possible: download free textbooks online.

These are credible resources for downloading textbooks online. Some offer PDF downloads that you can save to your desktop. On my MacBook Pro, I’ve downloaded PDF textbooks and saved them to my iBooks for easy access. You could also save PDFs to the Kindle App.

Check out these best websites to download free college textbooks online!

Sites mentioned:

• Bookboon
• Library Genesis
• Open Textbook Library
• Free Book Spot
• PDF Grab
• Project Gutenberg
• Stuvera
• Google Scholar
• OpenStax
• Textbook Revolution
• Bookyards
• eBookLobby
• FreeTechBooks
• Digital Book Index
• Many Books

Bookboon

Bookboon is an online platform for ebooks and online textbooks. Their library includes over a thousand free textbooks for students by leading professors.

This website is best suited for business and professional studies. A lot of their library is dedicated to business, marketing, economics, and finance textbooks.

As a student, you get free access to Bookboon. To sign up, create an account with your university-associated email and create a password.

Select topics of interest, such as the types of courses you’re taking or refine by your major. With the free student subscription, you get access to free textbooks online; however, the site will show you advertisements.

If desired, you can upgrade to the paid subscription plans, where you get ad-free browsing and access to audio learning. Check it out here. 

RELATED POST: The Best 10 laptops for College Students-The Ultimate Guide 

Library Genesis

My college friends and I relied on this website throughout our semesters online. Library Genesis is more than one website for downloading free textbooks online; it’s an entire database.

The main site is this one but the platform can be accessed through other links. Visit here to learn more about Library Genesis’ extensive library.

On Library Genesis, you get free access to textbook downloads. This website does not require an account to use. Under the topics header, you can refine your search by subject.

Search not only by title and author but also ISBN, publisher, year and language. Searching by ISBN is the most effective search method because it directly searches for the edition you need.

Library Genesis is my preferred free textbook search engine because I have always been able to find the textbooks that I need.

 

Open Textbook Library

Another site that offers free textbooks for download is Open Textbook Library. As the site explains, open textbooks are free to use and download.

You can search the site through subjects like humanities, law and mass media. The site has adapted textbooks as ebooks and even features a list of sources in development.

Textbooks are available for download as a PDF or EPUB. Attached to the posting of each textbook are reviews, the table of contents and information about the author.

This site is best suited for textbooks in the social sciences, as there is a larger selection of textbooks for humanities-related fields than STEM-related fields.

Browsing through their library, many textbooks appear to be introductory level to many different topics. Open Textbook Library does not have as wide a library as other sites mentioned throughout this article, but it is worth the search. Check it out here. 

Free Book Spot

Free Book Spot is a typical example of a free textbook download website. When you open the homepage, you may be turned off by the blue links and many ads.

But this source is incredibly reliable. My art history classes tend to use published books instead of textbooks to guide the course, and when I couldn’t find a required book on Amazon, I was able to find it here (Realism by Linda Nochlin, a wonderful read!).

On Free Book Spot, you can search by title, author, ISBN, and language. The search will generate a table of results featuring the cover of the book and the year the file was updated.

Both of these features are greatly appreciated by me as someone who wants to ensure I’m using the correct textbook edition. Free Book Spot is also more than just a free textbook online site; it holds many regular books as well. You can download books on astrology, drawing, and even playing cards. Check it out here.

PDF Grab

On PDF Grab, you can search for free textbooks online by title or ISBN. As I mentioned, ISBN will always be my preferred method of search.

If your professor does not provide the ISBN to the textbook, search for the book on Google, and the ISBN will be attached to any site where the book is available for purchase, such as Amazon. When you search your textbook, the results will show the cover of the textbook and a summary of the book.

There will be a download link to click on the PDF. I like this site because the results are very straightforward. The layout is simple and user-friendly.

Project Gutenberg

Another great website that provides free books online is Project Gutenberg. With a focus on ebooks, Project Gutenberg has a massive online library.

Many classes in college will require books written by prominent members of the field of study to guide assignments. Working on research papers, it can be difficult to find certain books or articles pertaining to specific subjects.

Project Gutenberg houses many online books, so you’re bound to find what you’re looking for. At the bottom of the homepage, click the “Search and browse” option to open the advanced search settings.

Project Gutenberg’s search engine is very sensitive to the words you select. Be as specific as you can when searching for a book. Check it out here.

Stuvera

Not only does Stuvera offer access to free textbooks online, but you can also download audiobooks and study. The online learning section offers courses in many different subjects.

For example, they have a course on Ancient Egypt from the University of Pennsylvania. The course breaks down study projects by week and accesses movies and assignments for you to practice on.

Stuvera is a great resource to help you prepare for your courses. You can use the online learning section to get ahead in upcoming classes or use it to test your knowledge as a study tool.

To download from Stuvera, you can register for a free account. My favorite aspect of using Stuvera is the online learning feature because it gives you an edge on new subjects. Check it out here.

Google Scholar

A website that many seem to overlook when trying to find free textbooks online is Google Scholar. With Google Scholar, you can access a multitude of academic articles and journals.

Many of my humanities courses will require supplemental readings through academic journals. Websites like JSTOR require a subscription through your university or institution.

If your school does not have access to a certain article, Google Scholar is a great resource to access. You can also save and store your reading material easily with your school-associated Gmail account, which many universities use.

When you search on Google Scholar, there will be an indication next to titles if the result is an article, book, PDF, or another file type. Google is where many searches for free textbooks online start, but it is just as valuable of a resource as any other site mentioned. Check it out here.

OpenStax

OpenStax is a truly advanced site for free textbooks online. With OpenStax, you get access to a multitude of free books. Additionally, you can take notes and highlight them directly on OpenStax’s online textbooks.

OpenStax is a part of Rice University, which is a nonprofit organization for furthering financial access to education.

OpenStax textbooks range from high school level to AP course level to college level. Textbooks are created by OpenStax for free and readily accessible use.

Browse the site by subject and download type. With a subject like math, the calculus textbook that is free on OpenStax will provide the same information as one your professor tells you to purchase.

OpenStax is reliable for learning, however, it is not a search engine for textbooks required by your course (unless your professor is using OpenStax textbooks to teach their course). OpenStax is ideal for that extra support in a subject.

Check it out here.

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Textbook Revolution

Textbook Revolution is a great site for finding textbooks. What I love about this site is that it is student-led. As a site run by students, they understand their audience.

Begin your search in the free books and textbooks section. If you cannot find what you are looking for there, Textbook Revolution has another search bar that shows the least expensive options for purchasing textbooks.

My only critique with the site is that some books are outdated editions. When you search for a book or textbook through the priced option, numerous options for your textbook appear.

Options include books for rental, buying new and buying used books. On Textbook Revolution, you can also submit a book to be posted, contributing to the next student in need of a free textbook online. Check it out here.

Bookyards

Bookyards is another platform whereby you can access free textbooks online. With Bookyards, you can search for your textbook by author, title, subject, and more.

The site also offers browsing by author or category. Their extensive library includes books on cooking, games, languages, culture, and sports.

Bookyards uses ad revenue to pay for the site, keeping their downloads free. On their blog page, Bookyards compiles free links to stories by famous authors.

Some recent posts include pages dedicated to Confucious and Joseph Conrad! You can follow Bookyards on their social media pages for updates to their library. Check it out here. 

eBookLobby

Unlike other online libraries, eBookLobby does not have a search bar feature. Instead, you can browse their collection by categories.

Next to each category is the number of books available for download. Their library is on the smaller side; however, it can be a helpful resource if you’re struggling to find a book elsewhere.

This website is unique for the way they structure their library. While browsing for your necessary textbook, you can check out their cookbook section! Their largest selections per category would be computers, biographies, and art.

Be sure to check out eBookLobby the next time you wish to download free textbooks.

FreeTechBooks

Exclusively dedicated to science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, FreeTechBooks is a platform for free access to science resources like textbooks, lecture notes, and other books.

Because this site is dedicated to one area of study, it is a great resource for narrowing down your search for free textbooks online.

You can browse their library by category, author, publisher, and even by popular downloads. If only I knew of this website when I was struggling with my pre-calculus homework.

This platform is extremely organized, with subcategories under each heading. From resources on scripting and programming to operating an iPhone or artificial intelligence, FreeTechBooks has an impressive library to offer.

Check out here. 

Digital Book Index

Digital Book Index is unlike any other platform listed. The website has access to an abundance of free texts. Their subject search is very impressive. To browse this section, you can use ctrl+F to search for keywords on the page.

Under the author/title search, there is a key that teaches the best way to search their site. For example, search authors by their first name (the “begins with” function) or put titles in quotations (to search titles that contain specific keywords).

Digital Book Index is a great resource for historical texts. With an abundance of ebooks and a search section dedicated to classic authors throughout time and across the globe, Digital Book Index is a wonderful source for humanities and history students.

As one myself, I will definitely be returning to this source for future research papers! Check it out here.

Many Books

Like their branding states, Many Books houses many, many books. Many Books is essentially an online library, housing all genres of texts. From mystery to horror to children’s books, Many Books has it all.

Search for your desired text in the top search bar. If what you’re searching for isn’t on their site, ads are generated with links to other sites that may have it.

Many Books is a great resource for novels. More often than you think, classes will require more than just a textbook.

One of my media classes didn’t require a textbook for class, but every week we would have a new book to read or a movie to watch (and I was not about to buy 15 books and movies).

Sources like Many Books are super helpful! Check it out here.

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How to Get Free College Textbooks 

In the video below, you can learn how to download free textbooks online. Following this step-by-step guide, you can download the Tor browser, sign up for ZLibrary, and search your textbook by ISBN for a free download.

As mentioned in this video, “Education shouldn’t be unattainable.”

Helpful Tip When Downloading A Free Book!

• Make sure the textbooks you’re downloading are up to date. Your professors are most likely going to require the latest edition of a textbook, but if you can only find one within the last 5-10 years, I’d say that is a safe enough range.
• Look up textbooks’ chapter study guides on Quizlet if you’re worried about missing information.

Buying or even renting textbooks does not equate to the prices attached to these books. Save yourself money and use these websites to download textbooks for your classes.

Library Genesis is my favorite site to download textbooks because I can always find the book I need. Free Book Spot is another site I often use because it features more than just textbooks.

These websites are free to use and easy to access. Save money, and download free textbooks online. 

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