Physical Books or E-Books is the Cost Justified

I have been at Wallace State Community College for less than three years, a first time college student. I currently have a large stack of books I HAD to have to complete my different course,  for in class and online classes. Some I have held on too because of the classes to follow I could use as reference. I am awaiting the school buy back to return to the shelf the books I will no longer need, planning to graduate in the spring. As, we all know the books cost was high and the sell back price will be low. But, my spouse decided to began his college career, after me, with a school that is 100% online, only E Book. He will complete a degree before me and have NO physical book for reference or to sell back. The real thought is this my total college cost is a quarter the cost on his. I will sell back my books for some refund. He will get a degree before me, but owe some much more. SO, I pay less tuition, pay for book which I might can sell back, get done later. He started later and gets done sooner, also never had a physical book so no sell backs. But pays so much more.  We both get our degrees, right? Which is the better way?