UNK Online
UNK Online
OER saves UNK students more than $2.2 Million in textbooks
According to EducationData.org, the average college student spends more than $1,000 per year on textbooks.
Since the launch of Open Nebraska in 2015, students at the University of Nebraska at Kearney have saved more than $2,258,400 through Open Educational Resources.
Open Nebraska courses provide students with no- or low-cost learning materials using openly licensed, digital-first resources instead of traditional textbooks.
On March 2, UNK will celebrate OER Week and the massive impact this initiative continues to have on students.
“Having Open Educational Resources has had a huge impact on my learning experience in the Learning Design and Technology program,” said Kristen Wetovick, a recent UNK Learning Design and Technology M.S.Ed. alumna.
During the 2025 – 2026 academic year, UNK is offering 482 OER-designated courses, including 406 no-cost courses and 76 low-cost courses. These Open Nebraska courses are available across all three academic colleges:
- College of Arts and Sciences: 326 courses
- College of Business and Technology: 42 courses
- College of Education: 114 courses
Beyond financial savings for students, OER has improved how students access and engage with course materials. Many OER materials are digital or eBook-based, giving students flexibility in both where and how they learn.
“I have access to the materials virtually at anytime, anywhere and in any format,” Wetovick said. “I’m not just sitting down and reading a chunk of my textbook at one time. I can access it on my phone, tablet or listen to it while I’m doing laundry.”
Many OER platforms also include built-in accessibility tools such as text-to-speech options, adjustable font sizes and embedded knowledge checks.
OER aligns with UNK’s mission to provide accessible education and its value to be student-centered and supportive.
To recognize OER Week, “Textbook Broke” signage will be displayed in the Calvin T. Ryan Library and Nebraskan Student Union to raise awareness about textbook costs and the benefits of open resources.
Students can search for Open Nebraska courses in MyBlue by selecting the “Open Nebraska” option under Class Attribute.
