Did You Know?
- Immediate Access: 100% of students in Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC) courses have complete access to their required learning materials on day one of the semester, eliminating study delays caused by textbook affordability.
- Compounding Savings: A student who completes a two-year associate degree using ZTC courses can save upwards of $2,000–$3,000 in total course material expenses.
- Proven Success: Students in open resource sections achieve equal or higher course completion and retention rates compared to non-ZTC/LTC/OER courses.
- Reinvestment in Learning: Savings on required textbooks allow students to reallocate financial resources toward tuition, enabling them to enroll in additional credit hours and graduate faster.
- Over $1 Billion Saved Nationally: According to SPARC, the national adoption of Open Educational Resources has saved postsecondary students more than $1 billion in course material expenses.
- Disproportionate Benefits for Equity: Studies demonstrate that underrepresented, first-generation, and Pell-eligible students see the largest gains in course retention and completion rates when enrolled in OER courses.
District Impact at a Glance
| Metric | District Total | Institutional Reach |
|---|---|---|
| Total student savings | $145,000,000* | Measurable savings across all 10 Maricopa colleges |
| Students served | 1,450,000* | Enrolled in OER, ZTC, and LTC sections |
| Active open sections | 6,697** | Courses using OER, zero- or low-cost materials |
| Average book cost savings per student | ~$100* | Direct reduction in enrollment barriers |
* For the years 2017 through 2026
** Fall 2026
Want a Custom Data Breakdown?
Connect with the Open Maricopa at openmaricopa@domail.maricopa.edu or your campus OER liaison to run a savings report for your college.