Best College Algebra Workbook (2026): 5 Picks Compared

A student facing college algebra in the fall needs practice that sticks, and the search for the best college algebra workbook starts with how each book teaches. We compared five workbooks on fit, contents and practice volume, and ranked them below. Every figure below comes from the Amazon listings.

ShelfAnswers earns a commission when you buy through links on this page, at no extra cost to you. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Affiliate disclosure.

The picks

#	Product	Shelf Score	Buy
1	Humongous Algebra by Kelley	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
2	CLEP College Algebra by Schwartz	9.7/10	Buy on Amazon
3	DeMYSTiFieD Algebra by Huettenmueller	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
4	No-Nonsense Algebra by Fisher	9.6/10	Buy on Amazon
5	Algebra 1 Workbook by AMA	9.5/10	Buy on Amazon

1

Humongous Algebra by Kelley

W. Michael Kelley·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For students who learn by working problems, with margin notes that fill in missing steps.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 576 pages, the longest book here
• Margin notes fill in missing steps
• Problems shown as in algebra courses

Cons

• 2008 edition is the oldest here
• No practice exams or diagnostic stated
• No video or online support stated

2

CLEP College Algebra by Schwartz

Stu Schwartz·9.7/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For CLEP takers: a diagnostic, review and two practice exams with online support.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• CLEP prep: diagnostic, review, 2 practice exams
• Book + online with a glossary of terms
• From a dedicated test-prep publisher

Cons

• Aims at exam day, not general practice
• No video tutorials stated
• 2013 predates the 2018 and 2021 picks

3

DeMYSTiFieD Algebra by Huettenmueller

Rhonda Huettenmueller·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For self-paced learners: a McGraw Hill path from fundamentals to logarithms with quizzes.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• McGraw Hill 2nd edition, 512 pages
• Chapter quizzes plus a final exam
• Fundamentals through exponents and logarithms

Cons

• 2013 edition
• No online or video support stated
• No answer-key note in the listing

4

No-Nonsense Algebra by Fisher

Richard W Fisher·9.6/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For students catching up on algebra, with short lessons and a video tutorial per lesson.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• Video tutorial for each lesson
• Short lessons with pre-algebra review
• Spanish and bilingual versions stated

Cons

• Aims below college level
• 294 pages, shorter than the top picks
• No full-length practice exams stated

5

Algebra 1 Workbook by AMA

American Math Academy·9.5/10 Shelf Score

i

The Shelf Score runs from 9.2 to 9.8 and weighs fit for the reader or goal (35 points), contents and edition (25), value (25) and listed reading age or level (10, where the listing gives one), using only what the book listing states. How we pick ›

For practice volume at the Algebra 1 level: 900-plus questions across 27 tests.

Check price on Amazon

Pros

• 900-plus practice questions stated
• 27 tests plus pretest and final
• 2021 publication, the newest here

Cons

• Algebra 1 level, not college algebra
• 161 pages, the shortest here
• No video or online support stated

As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

More picks to compare

• Yablonsky QuickStudy Algebra GuideSuits quick review: a 6-page laminated reference guide.Check on Amazon
• Spiegel Schaum's College AlgebraSuits problem solvers: Schaum's outline, 464 pages, 2018.Check on Amazon
• Monahan Algebra II WorkbookSuits Algebra II review: workbook, third edition, 240 pages.Check on Amazon
• AMA College Algebra MasterySuits steady progress: 181 pages from beginner to mastery level, 2024.Check on Amazon
• Nazari College Algebra WorkbookSuits extra practice: workbook, 213 pages, 2023.Check on Amazon

Compare the picks

Book details as published on each listing, collected 22 October 2026.

How we scored them

The Shelf Score weighs fit, contents and edition, value, and the listed reading age or level where given. None of the five picks lists one. How we pick explains the weights.

Scores run from 9.2 to 9.8: each book’s point total is placed on that range, so more points always means a higher score. Reading age or level counts on a list where at least one listing gives one, and a book whose listing gives none then scores zero on it. Where no listing gives one, the score is taken over the other 85 points. Books carry no warranty, so warranty is not scored.

How to choose the best college algebra workbook

Match the book to the goal

A CLEP taker needs practice exams; a student catching up needs short lessons. The REA book targets the CLEP exam with a diagnostic and two practice exams, while Fisher’s book targets strugglers with short lessons and a video tutorial per lesson. Browse our math workbooks for the full shelf.

Count the practice

The American Math Academy book states 900-plus questions across 27 tests in 161 pages; the Humongous Book spreads annotated problems across 576 pages. For the level below, our best workbook for algebra 1 list covers algebra 1.

Check the edition year

The newest here is the 2021 American Math Academy workbook, then Fisher’s 2018 second edition; REA and DeMYSTiFieD are 2013, and the Humongous Book is 2008. Confirm the edition on the listing before buying.

Before you buy

• Check the edition or ISBN: the picks span 2008 to 2021.
• Compare page counts: 161 to 576 pages across the five picks.
• Match the level: the American Math Academy pick is Algebra 1, the rest aim at college algebra.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which workbook has the most practice questions?

The American Math Academy workbook states 900-plus questions across 27 tests, a pretest, mixed reviews and a final.

Which book is best for the CLEP exam?

The REA CLEP College Algebra book, with a diagnostic, targeted review and two full-length practice exams.

Do any of these include video lessons?

Fisher’s book states a video tutorial for each lesson; the other four do not.

Still deciding? Our top pickHumongous Algebra by Kelley

Check price on Amazon

Related lists

See all workbooks and homeschool lists. Also see our best workbook for algebra 1 and our best workbook for pre-algebra.

More lists: algebra 2 workbooks and algebra workbooks.