Print vs. Digital Textbooks in Higher Education

Are Digital Textbooks Replacing Print?

Professors often believe that print textbooks are more effective for learning, but they also recognize that digital formats provide greater flexibility and affordability. In a 2024 survey of 3,400 faculty members in the U.S., only 8% of courses required a physical textbook exclusively—a figure projected to shrink to as little as 2–5% in the near future. Despite institutional pushes toward digital adoption, nearly half of faculty still see print as the more effective medium for learning.

For higher ed publishers, this creates both a challenge and an opportunity: balancing faculty preferences for print with the affordability, accessibility, and flexibility that institutions and students increasingly demand. The question is no longer “print or digital?” but how to deliver the right mix to support learning outcomes and stay competitive.

In this article, we’ll explore market trends, the pros and cons of each format, and practical strategies for publishers to stay competitive in a rapidly changing landscape — plus, how platforms like LiveCarta enable publishers to offer flexible, innovative textbook experiences without losing control of their content.

Digital Reading & eTextbooks: What the Numbers Tell Us

Faculty Perceptions and Format Trends

As noted, only 8% of courses in 2024 required a physical textbook exclusively, and that number continues to decline. Yet nearly half of faculty still believe that print materials lead to more effective learning. At the same time, 79% of faculty agree that digital formats offer greater flexibility for students—suggesting that adoption is more about practicality than preference.

Affordability Pressures on Faculty and Institutions

Textbook affordability isn’t just a concern for students. It’s a priority for faculty and universities too. According to the 2023 Faculty Watch Report, 63% of faculty cited textbook affordability as a top institutional concern, up from 57% in 2024.

Moreover, usage of e-textbooks among faculty nearly doubled in seven years—from 37% in 2016 to 68% in 2023—illustrating a clear trend toward digital adoption.

The Growing Popularity of Dual-Format Publishing

Publishers increasingly recognize that offering both print and digital formats is more effective than sticking to one. In fact, over 70% of required textbooks are now available in both formats, up from 50% just a year or two ago. This mirrors faculty experiences, where increasingly hybrid teaching models are becoming the norm — only 66% of faculty taught in a single modality in 2023–24, down from 72% the year before.

Faculty perceptions favor print textbooks for perceived learning quality but are increasingly overridden by institutional, economic, and practical factors, leading to rising adoption of digital textbooks. Most professors adapt, even reluctantly, because digital resources are more compatible with modern education needs and course formats.

Why This Matters for Publishers

This landscape sets the stage for publishers to elevate their relevance and leadership by:

1. Embracing Hybrid Models – Deliver both print and digital editions to meet diverse instructional needs and preferences.
   
   
2. Promoting Price-Sensitive Digital Options – Launch affordable or subscription-based offerings that help institutions meet budget constraints.
   
   
3. Prioritizing Format Usability and Accessibility – Ensure digital versions are well-designed, accessible, and offer added value (e.g., interactive features).
   
   
4. Building Flexibility into Publishing Workflows – Adopt systems that allow seamless format transitions, quick updates, and modular expansions.

Strengths and Weaknesses: Print vs. Digital

Both print and digital textbooks bring unique benefits and limitations. For publishers, the goal isn’t picking a winner, but finding the right balance to serve diverse teaching and learning needs.

Print offers a familiar, distraction-free reading experience and is still trusted by many faculty for deep learning. But it’s expensive to produce, slow to update, and can’t offer the interactivity today’s students often expect.

Digital delivers instant, affordable access, easy updates, and interactive features that boost engagement. It also improves accessibility for all learners. Yet, screen fatigue, device dependency, and lingering perceptions of lower effectiveness remain challenges.

Bridging the Gap with Hybrid Publishing

This is where publishers can truly stand out—by offering the flexibility of digital without abandoning the trusted feel of print. Hybrid approaches give faculty and students choice while letting publishers maximize reach and revenue.

LiveCarta makes this possible by:

• Supporting multiple formats from one source – Create a textbook once and deliver it in both print-ready and interactive digital versions.
  
  
• Offering pay-by-object and custom compilations – Let educators tailor materials without reprinting entire books.
  
  
• Providing built-in assessments and interactivity – Enhance digital editions with quizzes, multimedia, and adaptive tools.
  
  
• Ensuring content protection and control – Publishers decide where and how their content is accessed.

The Future is About Choice

The debate between print and digital textbooks isn’t about replacing one with the other. It’s about recognizing the strengths of both and giving educators and students the flexibility to choose what works best for them.

The publishers who thrive will be those who embrace hybrid models, reduce barriers for students, and align with institutions’ priorities. With LiveCarta, you don’t have to choose. You can deliver both, seamlessly, while protecting your content and expanding your reach.

Ready to explore hybrid publishing with LiveCarta? Book a demo and see how we help publishers bring both print and digital to life.