College rankings website Niche has released its 2023 best college food rankings which are based on meal plan costs as well as student reviews. Here’s a look the dining programs that made it to the top 10.
10. Muhlenberg College; Allentown, Pa.
Students at Muhlenberg College can choose from five different eateries on campus including the school’s food truck, The Mobile Mule. Vegetarian and vegan items are served at all campus eateries and its Wood Dining Commons also has a kosher meat kitchen and a kosher dairy kitchen that is monitored by a Mashgiach Temidi during all hours of operation.
9. University of San Diego; San Diego
The main dining hall at the University of San Diego features several differing stations including sushi concept, Nori Now, and Tapenade, which serves regional dishes from the Mediterranean and Middle East. One of its newest dining locations is Oliva Cafe which offers Mediterranean inspired dishes for breakfast, lunch and dinner using local olive oil.
8. Jame Madison University; Harrisonburg, Va.
The dining team at James Madison University keeps students engaged with a number of events held throughout the year including farmers markets and special themed meals. Its two main dining halls on campus, D-Hall and E-hall, serve up a variety of cuisines and dishes including liquid nitrogen ice cream.
7. Bates College; Lewiston, Maine
Bates’ dining program places an importance on supporting local suppliers and says it spends 28% of its food budget on local Maine products. The dining team has also implemented sustainability initiatives such as composting and food donations to local shelters and soup kitchens.
6. St. John Fisher University; Rochester, N.Y.
Students at St. John Fisher University can choose from a variety of menu items at the school’s Ward-Haffey Dining Hall such as okonomiyaki and lentil chili. Other dining locations on campus include Fisher Sub Shoppe and Sono Latin Grill which serves up a variety of Latin inspired fare and is known for its Quesadilla Wednesdays event, a student favorite.
5. California Baptist University; Riverside, Calif.
California Baptist’s Alumni Dining Commons (ADC) is known for its Sunday brunch that is open to the greater community and includes made-to-order omelets, hot breakfast sides, a carving station and more. Aside from ADC, students can also grab a meal from several other eateries on campus, including Foodology which features freshly made salads and artisan sandwiches.
4. St. Norbert College; De Pere, Wis.
Dining options at this small liberal arts college include a dining hall and three retail spots. The dining team keeps students engaged through weekly themed meals and by introducing new menu items throughout the year.
3. University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass); Amherst, Mass.
With four dining halls and plenty of retail options, students at UMass can find a variety of cuisines to choose from. The dining team works with local producers to incorporate local ingredients into the menu and also sources produce from its own student-run campus farm.
2. Virginia Tech; Blacksburg, Va.
The dining team at Virginia Tech serves around 7.5 million meals annually and includes over eight eateries on campus. Along with hosting a variety of themed meals throughout the semester, students can also participate in the dining team’s Chef Series events where campus chefs teach students how to create some of their favorite dishes.
1. University of California Los Angeles (UCLA); Los Angeles
Coming in at number one, the dining program at UCLA offers students three all-you-care-to-eat dining halls and a variety of retail options. In 2019, the dining team partnered with several student organizations to launch Bruin Dine, a program which aims to cut food waste and tackle food insecurity by serving leftover food from the dining halls to students for free.