Microeconomics may be a required course for a majority of students at the University of Florida, but when it comes to balancing their first budget independently, reality sets in that sometimes making ends meet in college can be harder than rocket science.
The University of Florida attracts some of the brightest minds throughout the nation because of their affordable education. Ranked seventh as a best value school by the Princeton Review, the estimated cost of attendance at UF is $20,910. But even with tuition that is low compared to the national average, this expense can be a burden on the families and students who have to foot the bill.
So what does a college budget really look like? The textbooks, tuition and dorm expenses are obvious, but what happens when things like gas, morning coffee runs and Bud Light are factored in? Analyzing the budgets and lifestyles of real students from every different socioeconomic background and situations helps to tell the story more realistically than statistics alone ever could; what is sacrificed and what measures are taken to make ends meet?
After shedding light on the complicated intricacies of college budgeting and debt, we will show you our compilation of the best ways students have found to live the college lifestyle on a dime. The Ramen Diaries are also available in blog format.