Are College Meal Plans Free? Unpacking the Costs for Students
                                
                                
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                                    5 min read                                
                            
                                According to a 2025 study by the student loan agency ELFI, the average student pays $5,656 annually for a meal plan. This statistic immediately dispels the myth that college meal plans are free, revealing them as a significant and often mandatory part of the college experience for many students.