These schools serve different types of cuisines, cooked with fresh and local ingredients.
On-campus dining
Some people shudder at the thought of college dining hall food. But that may not be necessary: Some schools across the country prize excellent dining, offering themed food nights and cooking with fresh and local ingredients.
Jaleena Cozzo – who earned a large social media following posting TikTok videos ranking college food, first as a student at the University of Alabama before graduating in 2022 – likes seeing a variety of ethnic options at campus dining halls. “I think that’s really important because students from all over get to be comfortable and see familiar foods,” says Cozzo, who has more than 164,000 followers and nearly 11 million video views on TikTok.
Students may also prioritize having fresh choices, clean venues and a large selection of foods that factor in diverse dietary needs and allergies, says Robert Nelson, CEO of the National Association of College & University Food Services, a resource for campus dining professionals.
When it comes to dining hall food, Cozzo advises students to “keep an open mind” and not make comparisons to a favorite family recipe or award-winning restaurant. Here are 10 colleges and universities, excluding culinary schools, with great on-campus eating.
Bowdoin College (ME)
To welcome new and returning students back to campus in the fall, Bowdoin College has a longstanding tradition – given its location in New England – of having a lobster bake. That tradition is repeated in the spring, the night before commencement, for graduating seniors and their families. Fruits, herbs and vegetables are grown in the Bowdoin Organic Garden, with all meals made from scratch and including vegan, vegetarian and gluten-free options. Bowdoin offers five meal plans. Freshmen are required to purchase the “Res 19” plan, which is $4,361 per semester for the 2022-2023 academic year and includes up to 19 meals a week plus additional dining dollars, known as Polar Points, to use at any dining location on campus.
Hendrix College (AR)
The sustainability-focused Hendrix College gets many of its meal ingredients locally, including some dairy products, vegetables and poultry; promotes recycling and encourages students to skip the plate and put their food directly on the tray when possible. Additionally, dining services at this Arkansas college hosts “Sundae Thursdays,” a weekly tradition; celebrates holiday-themed days; and commemorates birthdays with a cake, candles and song. “It’s amazing what collegiate dining halls are doing to really create community,” Nelson says. “When you think about student success and how much time one spends in a classroom vis-à-vis in the dining facilities, it’s really important to build community.” Students can choose from three meal plans, ranging from $2,300 to $7,200 for the 2023-2024 academic year.
James Madison University (VA)
At James Madison University, there are 28 dining locations, including two buffet-style dining halls and popular chains like Chick-fil-A, Panda Express and Starbucks. For students who don’t want to leave their dorm room or library, food can be delivered from participating campus restaurants by a Starship robot through an app. “Students want flexibility in where they eat and when they eat, it’s not just breakfast and lunch anymore,” says Fedele Bauccio, CEO and co-founder at Bon Appétit Management Company, a food service provider. “They want to have the ability to grab a snack or something all day long and into the late night evenings.” Meal plan costs for the 2023-2024 school year range from $2,989 to $3,347 a semester.
St. John Fisher University (NY)
Known for its turkey burger – highly regarded by several Buffalo Bills players – St. John Fisher University offers numerous eateries that serve up options ranging from soups and sandwiches to Latin American cuisine and late-night snacks. The New York school focuses on upholding sustainability initiatives, including reducing food waste by 50% and providing reusable to-go containers. “Things that young people care about in terms of their diet and food are, No. 1, where does the food come from and does the kitchen support community?” Bauccio says. And “they are concerned about animal welfare and climate change.” The most expensive meal plan for residential students is the Ultimate Meal Plan, which is $4,037 per semester and consists of 350 meal swipes, $100 dining dollars and five guest passes.
St. Norbert College (WI)
St. Norbert College has several on-campus food venues, including Phil’s Grill and C-Store – a combined convenience store and restaurant – and a coffee shop that serves breakfast and lunch. Ruth’s Marketplace, a buffet-style dining hall, has a selection of food stations, such as fusion, allergy-friendly fare, soup du jour, salads, deli selections and desserts. For students looking for appetizer-style munchies, Dale’s Sports Lounge offers an array of options like boneless chicken wings, tacos, loaded nachos and sliders. Residential meal plans for the 2023-2024 academic year range from $2,995 to $3,514 a semester and include a varying number of meals per week along with additional dining dollars.
