Research Guides: Textbook Alternatives: University Presses & Scholarly Publishers

University & Scholarly Presses Search

This searches the sites listed in on this page, with the exception of Cambridge University Press, Rutgers University Press, Boydell & Brewer, and Brook's Publishing which must be searched separately.

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University Presses and Scholarly Associations that Publish Texts

Another option, is to look for texts published by university presses or scholarly associations--these non-profits offer high quality, often at moderate prices.

Or, you can seek out small specialty publishers with expertise in specific fields. Texts from these "niche" publishers can be both high quality and reasonably priced (see examples among the Texty award winners at right).

Akron University
Publishes research on law, organizational studies, politics, psychology, sustainability, technology, (including polymer science, and poetry.
American Mathematical Society
Offers texts for math education, as well as many math topics.
American Psychological Association
Scroll down for links to course topic areas.
American Society For Microbiology
Reasonably priced microbiology texts.
Brookings Institution Press
Publishes books in the social sciences, esp economics and government.
Cambridge University Press Textbooks
Many topics, most texts under $75.
*Not included in Alternative Texts Search.
Columbia University Press
Academic books and textbooks on many topics.
Cornell University Press
Many subjects, "including anthropology, art history, Asian studies, classics, cultural studies, history, literary criticism and theory, medieval studies, New York City and State, philosophy, politics and international relations, security studies, Slavic and Eurasian studies, sociology, and urban studies." Also, life and natural sciences. Special strength in "labor and employment relations, the health care professions, and human resources."
Duke University Press
Books in many disciplines, but primarily humanities and social sciences.
Duquesne University Press
Publishes in areas of literary studies, philosophy, psychology, and religious studies with special strength in English Renaissance studies.
Fordham University Press
Many topics, primarily in the humanities and social sciences, including "anthropology, classics, communications, the fine arts, history, literary studies, philosophy, political theory, religion, sociology, and theology."
Gallaudet University Press
Specializes in deaf studies and deaf education.
Georgetown University Press
Publishes course books in the following subject areas: bioethics, ethics, international affairs, languages, linguistics, political science, religion.
Harvard University Press
Academic books and texts on a wide array of topics.
Health Administration Press - American College of Healthcare Executives
Many texts for health administration topics. Many also available as e-books.
Indiana University Press
Many topics in the humanities and social sciences, including " African, African American, Asian, cultural, Jewish and Holocaust, Middle East, Russian and East European, and women's and gender studies; anthropology, film, history, bioethics, music, paleontology, philanthropy, philosophy, and religion."
Institute of Mathematical Statistics Textbooks
"IMS Textbooks give introductory accounts of topics of current concern suitable for advanced courses at master's level, for doctoral students and for individual study. They are typically shorter than for a fully developed textbook, often arising from material created for a topical course. Lengths of 100-290 pages are envisaged. The books typically contain exercises."
Johns Hopkins University Press
Numerous topic areas, especially in history, science, literary studies, political science, and medicine.
Luisiana State University Press (LSU Press)
Publishes titles in the humanities, social sciences, and environment/natural science. Strengths: Civil War, European history, literary studies, slavery
Manchester University Press
Academic books and texts in the humanities and social sciences, esp art history, economics, media, history, literature, politics, and sociology.
Marquette University Press
"publishes scholarly works in philosophy, theology, history, and other selected humanities."
Mathematical Association of America Textbooks
Reasonably priced texts published by an association.
McGill Queen's University Press
Publishes mostly in the social sciences.
Michigan State University Press
Wide range of topics in the arts, humanities, sciences, and social sciences. Special strengths in history, literature, Native American studies.
MIT Press Books
Publishes texts in architecture, biology, business, cognitive science, communication, computer science, economics, engineering, game design, linguistics, neuroscience, philosophy, political science, technology, sustainable energy, and more.
NAEYC - National Association for the Education of Young Children
Reasonably priced books from the leading organization for early childhood educators.
National Academies Press
"The NAP publishes more than 200 books a year on a wide range of topics in science, engineering, and medicine." Many titles can be downloaded for no charge in PDF form from the site.
NCPEA Press
Very reasonably priced books from the National Council of Professors of Educational Administration.
Northern Illinois University Press
Publishes on topics in humanities and social sciences, with special emphasis on Slavic and East European studies, American and European history, and Midwestern U.S.
NYU Press
Publishes in the humanities, social sciences, and law.
Ohio State University Press
Academic books and texts for African American studies, creative writing, cultural studies, history, languages, literature, politics, and women's studies.
Oregon State University Press
"publishes mainly scholarly books and books of particular importance to the Pacific Northwest, especially those dealing with the history, natural history, cultures, and literature of the region or with environmental history and natural resource issues."
Oxford University Press Textbooks
Many topics - more reasonable prices.
Penn State University Press
Many topics. If want adopt a Penn State Press book as a text, you can request inexpensive paperback versions.
Princeton University Press Textbooks
Undergrad and grad texts for Biology & Behavioral Science, Chinese Language,
Earth Sciences, Economics & Finance, Mathematics, Philosophy, and Physics.
Rutgers University Press
Includes academic books and texts on many topics. *Not included in Alternative Texts Search.
Southern Illinois University Press
Academic books on many topics.
Stanford University Press
Academic books on topics such as anthropology, area studies, business, economics, history, jewish studies, law, literature, philosophy, politics, religion, and sociology.
SUNY Press
Academic books and texts on many topics, esp social sciences, humanities, education, and psychology.
Syracuse University Press
Publishes on topics in the social sciences and humanities.
Teachers College Press
Academic books and texts on education topics.
Temple University Press
Publishes mainly in the humanities and social sciences.
TESOL Press
TESOL Press offers almost 90 titles for educators teaching English as a second or foreign language.
Texas A&M University Press
Subject areas include agriculture & range ecology, physical anthropology, aviation & space flight history, borderlands studies, business and oil history, horticulture, historical archaeology (Texas and the Southwest), military history, natural history, nature and the environment, nautical archaeology, political communication, presidential studies, regional history and humanities, veterinary medicine, and wildlife science.
Texas Tech University Press
Book topics include regional studies, American Indian studies, American legal studies, American roots music, border studies, environmental history, Jewish studies, Latin American & Latino/a studies, natural history & natural science, Vietnam & Southeast Asia studies.
Trinity University Press
Publishes books on nature & the environment, architecture and landscape, literary anthologies, and literary/writing studies, studies, and regional topics.
University of Alaska Press
Subject areas include:" politics and history, Native languages and cultures, science and natural history, biography and memoir, poetry, fiction and anthologies, and original translations."
University of Arizona Press Textbooks
Publishes numerous texts on a wide variety of topics.
University of Arkansas Press
Publishes texts in the social sciences and humanities, special strength in food studies.
University of British Columbia Press
Publishes texts in many areas, but is especially strong in the social sciences.
University of California Press Books
Many books in the humanities, health, natural sciences, and social sciences.
University of Chicago Press - Course Books
University Of Hawai'i Press
"Focuses on books in the humanities, social sciences, and life and earth sciences in areas that include history, religion, anthropology, literature, art and architecture, the environment, and language arts. The Press has an especially distinguished list in Asian studies and is recognized as a leader in the fields of Buddhist studies and Southeast Asian studies."
University of Illinois Press
Many topics primarily in the humanities and social science--strengths in African American studies, history, film and media, labor studies, music, women and gender studies,.
University of Iowa Press
Many topics, primarily in the humanities and social sciences, including "book arts and history, the craft of writing, fan studies, food studies, literary and general nonfiction, literary studies and poetics, midwestern history, culture, & archaeology, military and veterans’ studies, natural history of the Upper Midwest, poetry, public humanities, theatre history and culture."
University of Massachusetts Press
"American studies broadly defined—books that explore the history, politics, literature, culture, and environment of the United States"
University of Michigan Press
Books in "a wide range of humanities and social science disciplines."
University of Minnesota Press
Publishes books in the humanities and social sciences, especially politics, current events, music, art, architecture, race, sexuality, and history.
University of Nebraska Press
"The University of Nebraska Press publishes books in six broad areas: Native American and Indigenous Studies, History, Sports, Anthropology and Geography, American Studies and Cultural Criticism, Creative Works.
University of New Mexico Press
Publishes " in the fields of anthropology, archaeology, indigenous studies, Latin American studies, American studies, Chicana/o studies, art, architecture, and the history, literature, ecology, and cultures of the American West. "
University of North Carolina Press
Publishes nonfiction in the social sciences and humanities.
University of North Texas Press
Publishes in the humanities and social sciences, with special emphasis on Texas history and culture, military history, western history, criminal justice, folklore, multicultural topics, music, natural and environmental history, culinary history, and women's studies.
University of Notre Dame Press
Publishes primarily on the humanities and traditional social sciences with concentrations in religion, philosophy, & ethics; literary criticism; medieval studies; political science; African American, Latin American, & Latino studies.
University of Oklahoma Press
Publishes works on the American West and the American Indian, as well as archaeology, classical studies, language and literature, the natural sciences, political science, and women’s studies.
University of Pennsylvania Press
"Penn is particularly well known for its books in American history, in European history and literary studies from late antiquity through the early modern period, in studio arts, and on international human rights issues." Also, publishes on topics in the humanities and social sciences, such as contemporary ethnography, urban studies, Jewish studies, international relations, economics, and business
University of Pittsburgh Press
"The University of Pittsburgh Press publishes titles in Latin American studies, Russian and East European studies, international relations, poetry, Pittsburgh and Western Pennsylvania regional studies, environmental studies, architecture and landscape history, urban studies, composition and literacy, the history of science and the philosophy of science."
University of Rochester Press
"The University of Rochester Press publishes scholarly books in the areas of musicology, music theory, ethnomusicology, African studies, Central European studies, early modern European history, gender and race in twentieth century America, and the history of medicine."
University of South Carolina Press
Publishes " scholarship in the fields of history (American, African American, Southern, Civil War, culinary, maritime, and women's), regional studies, literature, religious studies, and rhetoric. "
University of Tennessee Press
Publishes titles in the humanities and social studies, including "African American studies, Southern history, Appalachian studies, material culture, and literary studies."
University of Toronto Press
UTP Higher Education is a publisher of academic texts. Our books are primarily used for undergraduate college and university courses in history and the social sciences." UTP publishes scholarly books in the humanities, social sciences, and business. The ROTMAN-UTP division publishes business books that "bridge research and practice."
University of Utah Press
Publishes in anthropology & archaeology; Mesoamerican, American Indian, Mormon, & Middle East studies; natural history & nature writing; and regional topics.
University of Virginia Press
"The UVaP editorial program focuses primarily on the humanities and social sciences with special concentrations in American history, African American studies, southern studies, literature, ecocriticism, and regional books."
University of Washington Press
Publishes on many topics with strengths in Native Americans of the Northwest Coast and Alaska, Asian American experience, anthropology, Asian studies, environmental studies, Jewish studies, and regional topics.
University of Wisconsin Press
Scholarly books are published in American studies, anthropology, art, classics, environmental studies, ethnic studies, film, gay & lesbian studies, history, Jewish studies, literary criticism, Slavic studies, etc.
University Press of Colorado & Utah State University Press
Offers books on "anthropology, archaeology, composition (writing studies), folklore, history, and the natural sciences."
University Press of Florida
Many topics, especially strong in anthropology and archaeology, dance, Latin American studies, Middle East studies, and literature.
University Press of Mississippi
Publishes books in the humanities, social sciences, and natural science. Special areas: African American studies, Faulkner, film, folklore, popular culture, southern history, literature, & music.
University Press of New England
"The publishing program reflects strengths in the humanities, liberal arts, fine, decorative, and performing arts, literature, New England culture, and interdisciplinary studies."
Vanderbilt University Press
"The editorial interests of Vanderbilt University Press include most areas of the humanities and social sciences, as well as health care and education."
Washington State University Press - WSU Press
Not included in custom search
Topics focus on the "American West, particularly the history, prehistory, environment, politics, and culture of the greater Northwest region."
Wayne State University Press
Many topics with special strengths in Great Lakes books, Judaica, and African American studies.
Wesleyan University Press
"an editorial program that focuses on poetry, music, dance, science fiction studies, film-TV, and Connecticut history and culture."
West Virginia University Press
Publishes nonfiction on African American literature, Central Appalachian natural sciences, Medieval studies, regional history and culture, as well as creative works of fiction and poetry.
Yale University Press
Large catalog includes many texts. Strengths in art, architecture, and world languages--but offers many other subjects. Web site does not work well with all browsers--try keyword search.

Specialty Publishers

AAPC Publishing
Reasonably priced texts focusing on autism topics.
Bloomsbury Academic
Offers many reasonably priced texts in in the humanities, social sciences, education, business, and visual arts.
Boydell & Brewer
This publisher works in partnership with many humanities related institutions to produce books. The paperback versions tend to be reasonably priced. *Not included in the custom search
Brooke's Publishing
Books on education topics, including special education. Generally more reasonable prices than the large textbook publishers.
F.A. Davis Company
Publishes texts for nursing courses and other programs in the health professions.
Greenleaf Publishing
Publishes texts related to business and sustainable economic development. High quality authors. Very reasonable prices.
Guilford Press
Publishes moderately priced texts and books on mental health, education, geography, and the social and behavioral sciences.
Hackett Publishing
Independent publisher with moderate prices focuses on the humanities, with special strength in philosophy. Although Hackett publishes many translations of classic works, they also publish original content in the humanities.
Industrial Press
Offers moderately priced books related to industrial engineering, manufacturing, CAD / CAM, supply chain, technical mathematics, etc. Many written by professors.
Lynne Rienner
This independent publisher offers reasonably priced texts in social sciences and world literature, including Black studies, criminology, development, disability studies, human rights, international studies, Jewish studies, nonprofit management, sociology, political science, . . .
MedMaster Books
Inexpensive medical texts and board review study guides.
Morgan & Claypool
Engineering and Computer Science texts.
NOLO
Reasonably priced primers on many legal topics.
Rethinking Schools
Reasonably priced titles on K-12 education topics.
Rowman & Littlefield
Publishes texts and scholarly texts in the humanities and social sciences, as well as business, education, and social work. Usually offers reasonably priced paperback and e-book editions of texts.
Stenhouse Publishers
A specialty publisher focusing on k-12 teacher professional development. Very reasonably priced books.
Sundog Press
Offers books on geography and climate sciences.
Universal Publishers
"Book publishers of scientific, technical, academic, and other specialized nonfiction"
Waveland Press
A college textbook publisher covering many subjects. Often the titles are reasonably priced.

Texty Textbook Excellence Award Winners

Some texts from specialty publishers have won awards!

Quality Literacy Instruction for Students with Autism Spectrum Disorders
by Christina Carnahan, Ed.D. and Pam Williamson, Ph.D.
AAPC Publishing
(specialty publisher with reasonable prices)
Medical Terminology Systems: A Body Systems Approach
By Barbara A. Gylys MEd, CMA-A (AAMA)
Mary Ellen Wedding MEd, MT(ASCP), CMA (AAMA), CPC (AAPC)
F.A. Davis Company
(specialty publisher with reasonable prices)
Seismic Methods and Applications:
A Guide for the Detection of Geologic Structures, Earthquake Zones and Hazards, Resource Exploration, and Geotechnical Engineering
by Andreas Stark
Universal Publishers (Specialty Publisher)

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