College textbooks are expensive for the same reason that college itself is expensive.
People are willing to pay huge sums of money for a good education, and 700 bucks for a few textbooks is hardly noticeable next to the 35,000 dollar a year price of tuition.
That said, textbooks are different from other books for two main reasons:
First, because the purchase price goes toward paying many different authors, all of whom are experts in their field.
And second, because textbooks become outdated so quickly that the publishers have to make up for the loss in revenue by charging exorbitant prices. Basically, a college textbook might sell at 100 dollars for three years, whereas an ordinary book (which won't become obsolete every three years) would sell at 25 dollars for ten years.
And if you don't go to college, you'll be making 15,000 dollars a year for 60 years. So there's that to consider.
The best solution is to identify the books you need by their ISBN and buy online. Online bookstores are sure to offer your textbook for way less than any college bookstore. You might also try a web service like Half.com, where people often list their textbooks for reduced prices.
Just be sure to factor in shipping time so you're not stuck sitting in class without a book, you dunce!
