How Much Does Average College Student Spend Per Month?

College is when the students learn about the courses they have opted for and learn about social life. They learn to use their money and make it work in a limitation. The expenditure of any student depends on several factors, like the type of lifestyle they are living in and the type of college campus they are living in. Let’s start with How Much Does Average College Student Spend Per Month.

How Much Does Average College Student Spend Per Month?

How much an average student spends per month depends on various factors that a student faces. On average, a student in a typical college spends about $150 to $200 per month. It may increase or decrease the kind of expenditure and the time of vacations.

Expenditures Of A Student In College

Campus students spend an average of $ 25 to $ 50 a week to cover costs unrelated to accommodation and meal planning. Off-campus students need an average of $ 125- $ 210 per week to cover their living expenses and all personal expenses except tuition and textbooks.

Students Living On Campus With A Meal Plan 

If you are a student living on campus with a meal plan, all of your major expenses are already covered, including food and a roof over your head.

You will still need additional money to cover expenses such as:   

  • Entertainment   
  • Meals out   
  • Personal hygiene items   
  • Misc expenses   
  • School supplies   

Extra school supplies should not be too much a month, but it depends on your study area. A budget of $ 100 to $ 300 is standard for students living on campus and a meal plan. In some cities, even necessities are much more expensive.

Students Living Off-Campus   

If you live off-campus as a student, you will have to bear all the usual costs of someone living in your apartment or home. This dramatically increases your monthly budget needs.   

You need to add the following costs:   

  • rent   
  • utility   
  • meal   
  • Cleaning supplies   
  • cable   
  • the internet   
  • Transportation to the campus   
  • Entertainment / Eating out. 

 But the expense can reduce if you are sharing your commodities. 

Other Expenditures Of Students

The main expenditure of college students is on food. The young generation wants to try various cuisine and after a hectic week, they want to chill and relax on the weekends that’s which increases their bill. Internet is also one of the necessities in a student’s life, as in this digital world everything is present digitally. 

Transportation – If you live near the campus, walking or biking is a good free option. If you live far away and a bus is available, this is the way to go. Some universities offer free bus passes that advise you not to drive to the campus. Therefore, your costs can range from zero to $ 30 per month. Entertainment and Eating Out – College should not be just learning, you need time to relax, decompress, and have a little fun too.  

How Can A College Student Save Money

Every Student Should Create A Budget And Stick To It   

Use the budget management app to see what you’ve spent the most money on, from grocery shopping to takeaways to mobile phone bills. If your purchase is reckless and you need to spend the money on something else, redistribute the money elsewhere. You must now commit to your future self by taking responsibility for your budget.  

Find Free Events   

If your university is in a city, there are also free events in that city. Get a free indie newspaper at the cafe or check out the Sunday newspaper event page. If you’re more rural, check out the local state and national park event pages and check the events section of your local chamber of commerce website on a regular basis. Keep in mind that student groups are always fundraising. Please pay attention to such events and support them.

A Part-Time Job

A part-time job will provide you with financial peace and some extra money for future work. It’s a plus to have work experience with my resume after graduation. Maybe your part-time job will provide you with opportunities related to your research later. Get off to a good start now by keeping a little of what you earn.

Stop Impulsive Shopping

It is one of the reasons why students do not stick to their budget. Of course, you want to have fun, but you can continue to have fun by avoiding impulse purchases and waste. For example, if you budget $ 40 a month for entertainment and spend it overnight, spend the remaining three Fridays with a little Debbie. But in reality, reducing spending (or impulse buying) does not hurt your college experience.

Conclusion

College life is a very important part of everyone’s life. Here students not only learn about their courses but also learn about how to spend on a budget. Many college students do part-time jobs to earn some more money so that they can increase their budget. The average student in a college spends about $200. It also depends on the college and also the kind of lifestyle that the student is opting for.   

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do college students spend on groceries?

The average American college student spends $ 42 to $ 55 a week on groceries and buying food from outside. These are the main expenditures in a student’s life.

How useful is an online part-time job for students?

Online part-time work not only helps students establish new networks, but also provides a secondary source of information. With so many non-invested online part-time jobs, you can decide which type of part-time job is right for you.