If you’re a college student, chances are you’re always looking for a great deal.

Life at Penn State can be pretty expensive, and that’s especially true if you’re no longer living off of mom and dad’s meal plan checks. Plus, you’ve got to save up money to hit the bars with, right?

Luckily, Dear Old State has plenty of good deals and offers across campus that can fill you up without breaking the bank. Our staff is here to offer a few of its favorite meals and treats that are light on your wallet.

Michael Tauriello: Cheap Pizza

Penn State’s best on-campus dining deal is easily the $5 cheese pizza and two-liter soda combo. Whether you’re hoping to share dinner with friends or just having the pizza all by yourself for lunch and dinner, it gets the job done.

It’s not the best pizza you’ll ever have, as I find it to be a little heavy on the tomato sauce. However, as a college student, I’ve surely learned one thing in my four years: Pizza is pizza, and $5 for an entire pie with two liters of Sierra Mist (or Pepsi, if you’re into that) is nothing to sneeze at.

Matt DiSanto: West Grill’s Cheesesteak Combo

This spring, I’ve got a few classes up on west campus, so I’m spending far more time in Waring Commons than I ever had before. Luckily, though, I’ve found a new dinner routine to get me through it.

My favorite deal these days is the West Grill’s cheesesteak combo. Available both in person and through mobile ordering, this offering includes a whole chicken or beef cheesesteak, a side of fries, and a 16 oz soft drink of your choosing. If you factor in your 65% discount through using meal points, you’re looking at a delicious and filling meal for just $4.55. Sheesh!

Dana Nunemacher: Creamery Bagels

As a college student, I want my food to have two important qualities: cheap and easy. The Creamery is a perfect stop! Its bagels with cream cheese cost just $2.11. There is a pretty good selection of bagel flavors, toasters ready to use, and cream cheese/butter to throw on after. It’s a good stop if you find yourself hiking from the commuter lots or just need something to fill you up between classes.

Sam Fremin: Creamery Pint & A Brownie

As long as you have a spoon, a Penn State Bakery-made brownie sundae is only seconds away. Pick up a pint of ice cream and a brownie from a nearby commons or the Creamery itself. The best part? You can put the ice cream directly in the brownie’s plastic container, so there’s no complicated cleanup.

Honorable Mention: Michael Tauriello’s Oreo Exploit

They’ve fixed this loophole that I found, but it was probably because I told too many of my friends about it.

Back in the pre-pandemic times, a six-pack of Oreos would cost 89 cents. Meanwhile, a 10-pack of Oreos would cost $1.99. Do the math, and a dozen Oreos turned out to be cheaper than 10 Oreos. More for less, baby!