For many students at Bowling Green State University, meal plans are not optional—they are required. However, as prices continue to rise, students are beginning to question whether campus dining is worth the cost.
For the 2025–2026 academic year, BGSU meal plans range from approximately $2,167 for the Bronze plan to nearly $2,920 for the Gold plan per semester. This means some students are paying close to $6,000 per year just for food.
The data shows a clear increase in cost depending on the level of the plan. While the Bronze plan provides around 85 meals per semester, the Gold plan offers approximately 135 meals, but at a significantly higher price. When broken down, the cost per meal can feel expensive compared to off-campus alternatives.
Students have mixed reactions to these costs.
“I feel like I’m paying a lot for food I don’t always use, I always have extra Falcon Dollars or meal swipes and I know I’m not the only student who does this,” said Kayla Kaput BGSU student. “Sometimes it’s cheaper to just eat off campus or cook, I’ll go over to my friends who stay off campus and see how much they spend, I could save a lot of money if I lived off campus food wise.”
Without a meal plan, individual dining hall meals cost around $15 each, meaning students who eat frequently could quickly spend hundreds of dollars per month.
University officials say rising food and labor costs are contributing to the increase in meal plan prices. Inflation and supply chain challenges have made it more expensive to maintain dining services.
Still, many students are left weighing convenience against cost. While meal plans provide easy access to food and a social dining environment, some students feel the high price may not always justify the value.
As prices continue to rise, students may increasingly look for alternative ways to manage their food expenses.
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