How Much Do the Rising Gas Prices Really Affect College Students?

By: Matthew D'Amore

Marissa Kimball used to be able to go out with her friends and shop.
But the recent trend of rising gas prices is changing that.
“I really don’t go shopping with my friends anymore. I hang out with them, but I just can’t buy anything because most of my money goes to gas these day,” says Kimball, 18, who attends UMASS Dartmouth.
According to the Energy Information Administration (EIA), gas prices are up to $3.33 per gallon, which is up almost a whole dollar from last year. On top of that, the EIA also shows that gas is slowly increasing each month, with no sign of slowing down.
“I can’t even take my girlfriend out on a date too much anymore because gas is so expensive,” says Dave Cutler, a sophomore at Bridgewater State College.
Many college students are spending a good portion of their paychecks just on gas.
“I spend a pretty decent amount,” says Kimball. “I don't keep track of my money very well, but I could guestimate it's around $10-$20 a week on gas. Usually $30 to fill up before the car ride home or elsewhere.”
“Usually, I spend somewhere around 50 to 70 dollars sometimes a week on gas,” says Natalie Hughes, a sophomore at Bridgewater State. “That basically is more than half of my paycheck sometimes.”
Jeff Crehan, a sophomore at Stonehill College, says most of his money goes to gas. “Gas is basically what I spend most of my money on. It cost so much just to fill up a whole tank, and I live in Connecticut so I do that often when I go home.”
But gas prices aren’t keeping cars off campus.
“I love having my car with me,” says Mary Sullivan, 19, a student at UMASS Dartmouth. “I would have it no matter the price of gas. However, the price of gas does affect how often I am willing to drive people how far I'm willing to drive. But I still need my car here with me.”
John Latta, 20, a student a Stonehill College, agrees. “Sure, gas costs a lot of money and does take a big hit to my wallet. But when it comes down to it, I need my car to get around to, not only places on campus, but the other places that are off campus. Having my car with me is well worth the price.”
Some students said they only go home when they really need to because of the gas prices.
“I really don’t go home, I usually stay at school,” says Kimball. “I avoid going home often because it uses so much gas, not because I like having my own freedom. I pretty much stay at school to save money.”
Crehan says he stays on campus too. “It takes up too much gas. I mean I also like staying here more because it’s great to be on my own, but I do like to save money on my gas as well.”
The gas prices keep rising each month. Will we ever see the prices go down again or will they stay this high or keep going higher further down the road?
“If the gas prices would go down I might not be so hesitant to drive places and then I'd have more options and things to do,” says Kimball.
“I think gas will go back down, but never be back to what it used to be,” says Sullivan. “Gas used to be cheap, like about a buck fifty a gallon, but it will never ever come to that again. But as long as its under $3 a gallon, I'm good.”

mdamore@student.stonehill.edu