The New York Times food section has a piece today on the proliferation of gourmet menus at American colleges and universities—apparently students increasingly demand lobster, London broil, and “spa water” in their cafeterias.

After a page of sumptuous description, the reporter tacks on the pricing info:

Of course, colleges that put a premium on food tend to have higher endowments and more costly meal plans. Bowdoin, which renovated its two dining halls for $13 million, charges $2,600 per semester, Yale $2,380.

The basic Virginia Tech meal plan is $1,155 per semester, but if a student wants the add-ons in quality or choice, he pays à la carte. A lobster at P.J.’s costs four times as much as the London broil, which may be a reflection of its real price at a college where in-state tuition runs just under $7,400, compared to Bowdoin’s $34,000.

Duh. I myself lived on Korean kimchi-flavored ramen in college. It’s really spicy, and is especially good if you add add an egg to it (al la egg drop soup)--you can’t even tell you’re eating ramen, and it's still really cheap.

Ok, ok, I still eat it all the time.