ABILENE, Texas -- The average price for a college textbook has risen nearly four times the rate of inflation for the last 20 years, according to the Government Accountability Office.

As the costs for a higher education continue to rise, Hardin-Simmons University has introduced an alternative to buying text books this school year.

The program is called "rent-a-textbook", it's an alternative to buying new or used books.

Students pay only 50 percent of the total cost when renting and still can use it like any book they would buy, highlighting text or marking notes on the pages.

HSU is one of 1,300 college bookstores across country to offer the renting option starting this school year.

The renting alternative is only available for a portion of the textbooks used at HSU, but administrators say the program seems to be taking hold on campus.

Dr. Thomas Brisco, the Chief Academic Officer says, "I think for the first year it's been a success and we'll have to build on that. As I said, the key is making education affordable and if this is an avenue then we're glad to explore it fully."