Should a girl pay a restaurant bill? (Not a date but went out as friends)?

[RedSox12]

Hey quick question cause I have been wondering what I should do in this situation. Throughout college I would have multiple study partners for tough classes. Occasionally, when I study with girls I would go out and eat with them. When it comes to paying it feels really awkward but I feel that as a guy I should be paying for the bill and I always do the first time we eat. But all the girls that I go out and eat with feel really bad and said they want to pay for me the next time. All three girls that I went out with to a restaurant the second time basically said they would get mad if I paid again. Eventually, I let them pay for the food but I felt extremely bad. As a guy should I be paying for their food? The thing is it's hard for me to say cause it's not really a date but just a friendly hang out? lol