Trade-Offs Faced by 2-and 4-Year College Students Experiencing Food Insecurity: An Analysis of Qualitative Data.

This article examines the trade-offs—defined as compromises students make to prioritize one need over another—experienced by food insecure (FI) college students at both 2- and 4-year institutions in Minnesota, and how these trade-offs affect their health, well-being, and academic success. Through eight semi-structured focus groups with 53 students screening positive for FI, five key themes emerged: sacrificing food quality and quantity, missing out on social relationships, sacrificing academic studies, choosing between basic needs (e.g., housing, personal care), and maintaining physical and mental well-being. The study highlights the multifaceted and stressful nature of these trade-offs, emphasizing the challenges faced by financially independent students living off-campus. Findings suggest that understanding these trade-offs can inform college staff and policymakers in prioritizing interventions to improve student health and academic outcomes, including expanding access to food assistance programs and mental health services.