15 Best Places to Sell Textbooks for the Most Money (2026)
Trying to make the most of places sell textbooks most? You are in the right place. Below we break it down in plain English, with practical tips you can actually use.
Key Takeaways
- 15 Best Places to Sell Textbooks for the Most Money If you have a stack of books collecting dust in a corner of your room, now is a great ti...
- Here are the best places to sell textbooks online and locally.
- Written by Zina Kumok Last Updated: April 2, 2025 Home Side Hustles Some of the links on DollarSprout point to products or services from par...
If you have a stack of books collecting dust in a corner of your room, now is a excellent time to sell them for money. Here are the best places to sell textbooks online and locally.
Written by Zina Kumok Last Updated: April 2, 2025Some of the links on DollarSprout point to products or services from partners we trust. If you choose to make a purchase through one, we may earn a commission, which supports the ongoing maintenance and improvement of our site at no additional cost to you. Learn more.
The cost of college tuition has outpaced inflation, but the cost of textbooks has increased by more than 800% since the 1970s.
I was extremely cost-conscious when I applied to college. My parents weren’t going to pay for everything, so I had to apply to schools I knew I could afford.
I knew the cost of tuition and the cost of on-campus housing would be expensive. But I wasn’t prepared for the cost of textbooks. I couldn’t believe I’d spend hundreds of dollars on books each semester , almost as much as my meal plan.
When you’re paying so much for textbooks, you want to get as much money back for them as possible. That’s why knowing the best places to sell textbooks is so crucial.
When you’re taking out student loans to pay for everything, every dollar you get back is a dollar you don’t have to borrow.
Best Places to Sell Used Textbooks Online
With so numerous different sites that sell books online, you want to find the ones that offer the best prices.
1. BookScouter
BookScouter is an aggregator site. You type in the ISBN, and rather than getting one fixed cost, you get a range of prices from more than 30 different purchase-back sites. BookScouter is a good place to see what your options are before choosing where to sell your used textbooks.
Depending on the book’s popularity, you may not get offers from all 30 sites. At the very least, it’s a good starting point.
Related: How to Earn Money Selling Your Used Books with BookScouter
2. Cash4Books
Cash4Books works like other websites where you can sell used books. Shoppers input the book’s ISBN number, get the offer, accept it, and print out a pre-paid label to send in their books. Payments are made via PayPal or check.
The site mostly takes college textbooks, so high school students should look elsewhere if they’re trying to resell books. According to the website, Cash4Books primarily takes textbooks published in 2016 or later. If you have older books, consider using a different site.
They have a list of their 500 most popular titles so you can see what they pay for high-demand books.
3. BooksRun
BooksRun is another site where you can sell back your textbooks. Sellers enter the ISBN number, choose the condition of the book, and then check out to print their label. You can also download the Android or iPhone app to scan the barcode, which is easier than inputting the ISBN number manually.
You’ll get paid within four days after the book has been processed, and you can choose between PayPal or check.
4. ValoreBooks
ValoreBooks has the same book buying and selling model as its competitors. Type in the ISBN number, view the cost, accept it, and print out a pre-paid shipping label. ValoreBooks has a minimum $15 order, so you may have to sell multiple textbooks to meet it. You’ll be paid via check or PayPal.
The site will evaluate the books when they get them. If your book is damaged in any way, you may have the offer rescinded.
5. BookFinder
BookFinder aggregates book buyback options and includes sites like Amazon, BooksRun, and sellbackyourbook.com. You can see which site offers the most money and then click through to their link to sell your book.
This site doesn’t seem to include as numerous stores as BookScouter, so check there first.
6. TextbookRush
TextbookRush is available on the web or as an iPhone app. Like other sites, you enter the ISBN number, view the offer, and ship it with a pre-paid shipping label.
Offers are valid for 20 days, and shoppers can choose to get paid via direct cash deposit or PayPal. A key difference between TextbookRush and other sites is that you can choose to be paid via store credit. This will earn you an extra 5% more than the other payment options.
If you’re going to need books for the next semester, choose store credit to get more money.
7. Student 2 Student
Student 2 Student is a different kind of textbook buyback site. Instead of shipping your books through a site and getting paid through them, you list your books and sell them to real students near you. You’ll sell the books to other people from your college and meet on or around campus to exchange the book and payment.
This can be a good option if you don’t have the ability to send in books or have specific books that other textbook sites aren’t looking for.
8. Textbook Buyer
Textbook Buyer is a site where you can only sell books. It’s not clear what they do with the books since you can’t purchase books on the site.
Textbook Buyer pays for all shipping costs. Payment is only available via check, but the site claims it sends out checks as soon as the books are received. Books must be in very good condition. If they’re not, you may have the cost adjusted once it arrives or it may be discarded without payment made to you.
9. Barnes & Noble
Book retailer Barnes & Noble seems to have a more stringent book buyback policy. Two popular titles weren’t on their current buyback list. You must also sell at least $10 worth of books for each total order.
Payment is available via check or PayPal and can take between one to two weeks after receiving the shipment.
10. eCampus
What makes eCampus different is that sellers can list their books and set their own prices. If you have a book and want to get the most money for it, you can list it on eCampus for the cost you want.
eCampus takes a 15% commission off each book sold and provides a partial credit for shipping. They pay via bank deposit on a weekly basis.
Related: Legitimate Online Jobs for Students, Moms, Kids, Teachers, and More
Where to Sell Used Textbooks Near Me (in Person)
If you don’t have a post office or UPS store near you, then selling books online may be a hassle. It may be more worthwhile to sell them locally, especially if you have a car.
11. Secondhand Bookshops
There are a number of different used or secondhand bookshops where you can sell your textbooks.
Half Cost BooksHalf Cost Books is a second-hand store that sells a huge variety of books. With more than 100 stores, it’s likely that there’s a Half Cost Books near you.
The store can’t give you an estimate over the phone or online; you have to bring them in person. You’ll receive cash if they accept your books. They accept textbooks, fiction, and even kids’ books.
2nd and Charles2nd and Charles has locations in states all across the country including Pennsylvania, Florida, and Texas. You bring in your items and can leave them there for the staff to examine and cost. You’ll get a text or email notification when they’re ready.
If your
Final Thoughts
The bottom line: a little research on places sell textbooks most goes a long way. Compare your options, watch for seasonal offers, and never pay full price when a better deal is one click away.
Originally published at dollarsprout.com.
Zina Kumok
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