How much money do college students spend on food?

According to re:fuel's 2013 College Explorer report, college students spend 36 percent of their overall discretionary budgets on food. It is the largest expense of all discretionary spending done by college students.

To save on food costs, college students should not only cook their meals at home but also store any leftovers in the refrigerator for later consumption. Food expenses tend to be higher for students who often order from restaurants and buy snacks and beverages. Besides food, college students also spend their money on cars, clothing and mobile devices. Entertainment, tech items, personal care products and cosmetics make up the rest of the discretionary spending of college students.