Across 20 items audited, café items were an average £1.83 across higher education establishments compared to the high street average of £2.03 - an average of 10% higher.
Mike Haslin, COO of TUCO, said: “We are committed to delivering the most competitive buying frameworks available to the cost sector, and our latest benchmarking project evidences that not only is our work paying off but that our members are able to extend this to their customers and offer true value to students.”
Bar prices were also 10% cheaper than on the high street (average £2.57 compared to £2.88) with high street bars charging a significant premium for items such as spirits, where the difference in price was almost twice in off-campus bars.
Most significantly was the variation between items such as freshly prepared baguettes, where the high street average was £3.30 whilst TUCO member campuses charged just £2.69.
Prices on the high street for hot drinks (Americano, latte and hot chocolate) were also consistently higher than university campus outlets and mineral water, pre-packaged sandwiches, freshly prepared wraps and baguettes were also cheaper than the high street.