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2019 Best College Food in AmericaAbout this List

The 2019 Best College Food ranking is based on meal plan costs and student reviews. Top-ranked colleges offer outstanding on-campus dining—students can easily access healthy, quality food across a wide range of cuisines and dietary preferences. Read more on how this ranking was calculated.

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  1. Virginia Tech

    • 4 Year
    • Blacksburg, VA
    • 3,584
    1 Best College Food in America

    Niche User: Virginia Tech is an ideal institution for new opportunities and growth. There is such a huge amount of school spirit and pride for being a Hokie with the students, which I have never genuinely heard or seen from other institutions! Campus/student life is notably wonderful, and the majority of the students are incredibly lively and welcoming. There are so many different people on campus, and they all have their own amazing passions. The institution provides exposure to many experiences to explore like clubs, GobblerFest, athletics and football games, dorm activities, parties, hiking trails, and even checking out scenic spots on campus and throughout the town. From what I've already experienced through campus visits as a prospective Freshman for Fall 2018, I'm so stoked to fully experience and indulge in everything about my new second home!
    Read 3,584 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 71% Acceptance Rate
    • $17,190 Net Price
    • 1100-1320 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  2. University of California - Los Angeles

    • 4 Year
    • Los Angeles, CA
    • 4,720
    2 Best College Food in America

    Junior: UCLA is definitely a place for all-rounded students to thrive and succeed. The campus offers beautiful scenery and classic lecture halls that enthralled me every time I walk to and between lectures. The school is safe and welcoming, and there are plenty of activities to be part of on-campus. In terms of classes, students do have to give it all since the professors do have high standards here. However, this is college, and learning and studying won't hurt you. Professors generally are really engaged in lectures, and if most likely students are going to succeed if they give their best. Dorms and the food are excellent and well maintained compared to others colleges I visited. I won't be surprise if more people decided to come here! GO BRUINS!
    Read 4,720 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 18% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,236 Net Price
    • 1160-1470 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  3. Bates College

    • 4 Year
    • Lewiston, ME
    • 338
    3 Best College Food in America

    Alum: I had the best experience at Bates. The student body is intellectually curious yet super down to earth, professors are always accessible (many of whom I am still close with over a decade later), coursework/the pre-med committee is challenging but prepared me well for medical school, Maine is beautiful with great skiing and hiking nearby, and there are a bunch of really good restaurants in Lewiston with Portland only a 1/2 hour away. I met some of my best friends at Bates and had an absolute blast!
    Read 338 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 23% Acceptance Rate
    • $24,055 Net Price
    • 1385-1460 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
  4. Sponsored

    Whitman College

    • 4 Year
    • Walla Walla, WA
    • 348

    Alum: You can do everything at Whitman- academics, leadership, hobbies. The small classroom environment guarantees your learning will be engaged and hands-on alongside your professors- they talk *with* you, not at you.
    Read 348 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • 51% Acceptance Rate
    • $34,272 Net Price
    • 1200-1420 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  5. University of Massachusetts - Amherst

    • 4 Year
    • Amherst, MA
    • 3,300
    4 Best College Food in America

    Alum: Umass Amherst is located in a spectacular location shared by several other amazing colleges. As the flagship campus of the Umass system, it stands as a growing research institution for all of STEM as well as the liberal arts. Along with the amazing faculty in my department the microbiology curriculum is in my opinion one of the best in New England. As an active member of the student body, I never felt like I was alone on campus and was able to be myself on campus. I enjoyed 4+ years at the university and I will always look back fondly on both the memories and friendships I have made while I was a Minute Man. Go Umass!
    Read 3,300 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 60% Acceptance Rate
    • $20,093 Net Price
    • 1130-1330 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  6. Washington University in St. Louis

    • 4 Year
    • Saint Louis, MO
    • 1,380
    5 Best College Food in America

    Senior: WashU has opened up a lot of doors for me in terms of career exploration and pursuit. They have fantastic opportunities for research, community engagement, and intellectual pursuit. I think that they prepare their students well for life post-graduation, but I do think that the school needs to work on its accessibility to students from more diverse socioeconomic backgrounds!
    Read 1,380 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 17% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,824 Net Price
    • 1400-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  7. Bowdoin College

    • 4 Year
    • Brunswick, ME
    • 660
    6 Best College Food in America

    Niche User: I love the fact that Bowdoin is a small, liberal arts college. I am someone who thrives in close teacher-student relationships, and Bowdoin provides me with such an opportunity. Further, the College's emphasizes on career development is really important. For instance, Bowdoin displays fashion shows among students and faculty to learn "what to wear and what not to wear for an interview." Further, even though Bowdoin does not have a Journalism program, they do have an English major, and also the opportunity to create one's own program/major.
    Read 660 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 15% Acceptance Rate
    • $24,888 Net Price
    • 1360-1510 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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  9. California Baptist University

    • 4 Year
    • Riverside, CA
    • 2,378
    7 Best College Food in America

    Junior: California Baptist University has provided me and most other people I know a space for spiritual growth and a natural urge for academic curiosity. The small classroom sizes (I've been in a class with only 4 people!) allows for 1-on-1 connections between students and professors which has helped me better understand and stay engaged with the courses and the topics of the class.

    One thing to note, I never wanted to attend CBU because of how like-minded the people are. It is a conservative campus and I am a conservative and I am a political science major looking for a challenge. Although professors are usually Christian and conservative, they put on their Marxist and liberal thinking caps and made their students think about our own views; it was a challenge after all! They really want to help you think outside of the box and become a better individual in academia and in the professional world. I encourage you to invest your research and time, and attend this wonderful school!
    Read 2,378 Reviews

    • B+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 64% Acceptance Rate
    • $25,875 Net Price
    • 850-1100 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  10. James Madison University

    • 4 Year
    • Harrisonburg, VA
    • 2,748
    8 Best College Food in America

    Freshman: I love the campus and all the students! There's a wide variety of students here that guarantees ease in finding friends in classes and other places on campus. There's also so much to do every week! JMU offers so many organizations and clubs to join as well as fun activities for the whole campus to join in on. The reason I didn't give JMU 5 stars is because there are some small difficulties that arise for me throughout the school year. For example, it is very difficult to register for classes and get all the classes you need to satisfy graduation requirements, especially as a freshman. Also, because JMU is a smaller campus with a growing student population, there are always very long lines for food, for example, because they cannot cater to every single student. These are just a few examples of small problems I face on campus, but overall, I love JMU!
    Read 2,748 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 72% Acceptance Rate
    • $16,252 Net Price
    • 1030-1220 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  11. University of San Diego

    • 4 Year
    • San Diego, CA
    • 1,770
    9 Best College Food in America

    Alum: I just graduated from USD, and man I miss it so much! The campus is stunningly beautiful, the professors actually care about you and know your name, the food is fantastic, and San Diego is such an amazing city. I know some people may think only rich snobby people go here, but I could not disagree more. Although there is wealth present on campus due to the fact that it is a private school in southern CA, there are plenty of down to earth individuals. I myself was given a large scholarship to USD, and I know many others are in the same position. Additionally, so many opportunities were available to me through USD. I am pre-med, and I was able to work in a lab for 3 years and publish my work, have an internship in the trauma department at Scripps Hospital, and SO much more. Greek life is very present on campus as well and I highly encourage going Greek. I chose USD over a top UC for the personalized education and never regretted my decision.
    Read 1,770 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 51% Acceptance Rate
    • $38,596 Net Price
    • 1100-1310 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  14. St. John Fisher College

    • 4 Year
    • Rochester, NY
    • 510
    10 Best College Food in America

    Senior: Fisher is an excellent choice for teacher preparation! The faculty and staff are exceptional. There are several opportunities to get involved on and off campus through athletics, clubs, community service, and field experiences. Tuition is costly, but the education you receive here is so worth every penny.
    Read 510 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,291 Net Price
    • 970-1150 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  15. St. Norbert College

    • 4 Year
    • De Pere, WI
    • 645
    11 Best College Food in America

    Alum: Simply put, the best four years of my life! SNC is a welcoming community, they guarantee four years, and the food and facilities are so much better than the more than dozen schools I visited. De Pere is a great town to walk around, everything you need is less than 3 blocks from campus. Athletics win all the time, especially the 5-time national championship hockey team. SNC really pushes getting off campus and into the community for internships and as far as the flourishing study abroad experience. While one of the few colleges left than requires students to live on campus all four years, there are so many unique options for housing including houses and apartments with vaulted ceilings, fireplaces and underground parking.
    Read 645 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 81% Acceptance Rate
    • $24,182 Net Price
    • 960-1230 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  16. University of Georgia

    • 4 Year
    • Athens, GA
    • 5,032
    12 Best College Food in America

    Sophomore: This is university is perfect for students hoping to have fun while at college. There are multiple avenues for one to de-stress, whether it be the exciting football games in Sanford Stadium or having a good time with friends at a Dawgs After Dark event. Academics meld well with the multitude of things to do in Athens. There is always something to do and always something that fits your taste. There are so many new faces on campus and you will for sure make lifelong friendships while at UGA! Overall, this university was perfect for someone like me: someone who wanted to focus on her studies but still have the opportunity to socialize and just have fun!
    Read 5,032 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 54% Acceptance Rate
    • $14,956 Net Price
    • 1140-1340 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  18. Kendall College

    • 4 Year
    • Chicago, IL
    • 305
    13 Best College Food in America

    Junior: I love being able to get my degree on-line while working full time. I wouldn't change anything. From Financial Aid to the professors, everything is great!
    Read 305 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 84% Acceptance Rate
    • $28,252 Net Price
    • — SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  19. Gustavus Adolphus College

    • 4 Year
    • Saint Peter, MN
    • 775
    14 Best College Food in America

    Freshman: Wonderful community that fostered both my desire for success and my need for higher education. The diversity of the college is surprisingly vast for the lutheran/private liberal arts background, and the atmosphere is very welcoming. The professors genuinely care for their students, both as learners and as people. The campus lifestyle is thriving, with both daytime activities and nightlife- but it isn't overwhelming to those who choose not to participate. Overall, an excellent place to spend your university years!
    Read 775 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 65% Acceptance Rate
    • $24,293 Net Price
    • 1080-1340 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  20. St. Olaf College

    • 4 Year
    • Northfield, MN
    • 684
    15 Best College Food in America

    Niche User: They are excellent in communicating with potential college applicants! I am a senior high school student applying to several colleges. I live in Wisconsin and St. Olaf College is well known here in Madison WI! I love the look of the campus and the location is fantastic as well, close to the Mall of America!
    Read 684 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 45% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,284 Net Price
    • 1120-1400 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  21. Hendrix College

    • 4 Year
    • Conway, AR
    • 444
    16 Best College Food in America

    Junior: Hendrix College has incredible academics, passionate professors, excellent extracurricular opportunities, a strong alumni network, and a friendly, yet competitive, atmosphere. There is a clear "Work Hard, Play Hard" mentality among the students here. Professors take personal interests in their students, and the rigorous course loads pay off in spades. Hendrix College can be way too stressful at times, but at the end of the day, there are plenty of resources to help those in need of stress relief. The student housing for underclassmen, however, is abysmal. The dorms are not in the best shape, but there are plans to renovate in the next 5 years. The student Quad is better, yet the walls are so thin you can hear the student above you sneezing. The apartments are better, but they are sometimes a crap-shoot. Overal, the summer opportunities, Odyssey Program, academics, decent level of financial help, and extremely liberal atmosphere makes the high price tag worth it.
    Read 444 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 77% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,777 Net Price
    • 1100-1360 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  22. Wheaton College - Illinois

    • 4 Year
    • Wheaton, IL
    • 580
    17 Best College Food in America

    Alum: I'm thrilled to have recently obtained my master’s degree from Wheaton College. The challenges that were put before us have definitely strengthened my perseverance and faith. The enthusiasm of the professors and their personal love of God have been a major highlight. Being exposed to that encouraged more enthusiasm and deeper, more analytical thinking. I also appreciate how approachable and reachable the professors have been. They have certainly been our professors, but in many cases we also have come to feel a sense of kindred spirits and friendship with them.
    Read 580 Reviews

    • A
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 79% Acceptance Rate
    • $27,840 Net Price
    • 1170-1400 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  25. Cornell University

    • 4 Year
    • Ithaca, NY
    • 1,793
    18 Best College Food in America

    Sophomore: I love the environment and community, and the hidden cafes and delis are a delight to find and sample. The slope, rivers, gorges, lakes, waterfalls, and trails are soothing when the semester gets hectic, and there's no shortage of available activities, clubs, events, and things to do on campus! The winter is harsh but its gorgeous to see, and the overall environment is very friendly.
    Read 1,793 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 14% Acceptance Rate
    • $30,014 Net Price
    • 1330-1530 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  26. University of Oregon

    • 4 Year
    • Eugene, OR
    • 3,256
    19 Best College Food in America

    Sophomore: I am an Oregon resident that chose the University of Oregon for my undergraduate education. Looking back at my freshman year, I made so many new friends that have become my closest buddies. My on campus living experience was undeniably one of my best years! After my freshman year, just two months ago, I was in a terrible accident and am now paralyzed. My friends have been by my side throughout this experience and U of O strives to be one of most progressive disability accessible universities around. So, regardless of my paralysis, I am definitely looking forward to returning this fall for my sophomore year and would recommend this school to all!
    Read 3,256 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 78% Acceptance Rate
    • $15,355 Net Price
    • 980-1220 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  27. Liberty University

    • 4 Year
    • Lynchburg, VA
    • 6,565
    20 Best College Food in America

    Alum: I am a graduate of Liberty University's business school. I received my MBA while working full-time and taking a full-time class load. After looking around at various graduate schools, I chose Liberty due to its affordability, reputation, and its accreditation.

    Due to discounts through work, my MBA had a total cost of approximately $16,000 for the entire program! Otherwise, the degree is still an extremely affordable option with a price of around $24,000 for the entire program. In comparison, I considered some schools in my state of North Carolina - one of which was the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Even in the online track, UNC's website stated that the MBA program would cost a minimum of $99,000 total!

    I found Liberty to be very challenging and thorough. Please note: if you are not good at writing, you may not do very well in this graduate school. Our assignments were comprised of writing 90% of the time.
    Read 6,565 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 24% Acceptance Rate
    • $24,794 Net Price
    • 950-1190 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  28. Rice University

    • 4 Year
    • Houston, TX
    • 998
    21 Best College Food in America

    Sophomore: Rice is incredible. The people are so friendly and collaborative, and the residential college system gives you an automatic support system and built-in friends/family. While people are smart, the atmosphere is close-knit and not cutthroat, which I've come to realize is hugely important when I hear my friends at other top universities talk about the pressure and competition they suffer through. The academics aren't easy- especially the STEM programs, which are structured to be some of the most rigorous in the country, but that's why we have such a good reputation and ease with post-graduation placements. Compared to other colleges, there's a lot of freedom with social life/partying and distribution requirements. Overall, the campus is beautiful and quality of life (dorms/food/area) very high. I love Rice and wouldn't go anywhere else!
    Read 998 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 15% Acceptance Rate
    • $22,061 Net Price
    • 1410-1570 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  29. Wesleyan University

    • 4 Year
    • Middletown, CT
    • 681
    22 Best College Food in America

    Alum: Wesleyan's professors make the school. These instructors are passionate, knowledgeable and more than happy to interact outside of class or school hours. Take advantage of the opportunity to work with these experts!
    Read 681 Reviews

    • A+
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 18% Acceptance Rate
    • $20,490 Net Price
    • 1300-1480 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  32. University of New Hampshire

    • 4 Year
    • Durham, NH
    • 2,508
    23 Best College Food in America

    Sophomore: Durham itself is quiet, However busses/trains run nonstop to everywhere. There's acres of college woods too!
    Most on-campus dorms represent a theme so that everyone can feel like they belong.
    The courses are hard-professors expect you to study out of class, but they have office hours and are willing to stay after class with you.
    CFAR helps you find study plans, discover what kind of learner you are, and figure out how to tackle difficult classes. There's free tutoring if needed
    UNH works with most study abroad programs. It's discovery credit system makes it easy for credits to transfer towards your major.
    For food It's in the top 1% of USA. There's 3 dining halls as well as shops all around campus. It's unbelievable(trust me on this)
    D1 Aka sports events are crazy. Football/hockey is intense; there's huge tailgate parties
    Greek life and sports teams have their own houses so the parties are good.
    So many clubs/orgs. It's super easy to stay active and get involved on campus.
    Read 2,508 Reviews

    • A-
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 76% Acceptance Rate
    • $23,066 Net Price
    • 990-1200 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  33. Kennesaw State University

    • 4 Year
    • Kennesaw, GA
    • 3,655
    24 Best College Food in America

    Senior: Let's start with the campus. KSU's campus is genuinely pretty. The buildings seem new, are well maintained and the landscaping is beautiful. Parking is ridiculously cheap too! There are plenty of dining and coffee options, including Starbucks, and the gym has everything you need, whether you're into cardio or weights. I only have experience with nursing teachers. The classes have been easy so far but I wish the material was a bit more rigorous, to be honest. Some of the professors seem incredibly knowledgable and some...not so much. The one thing that attracted me to KSU was the availability of help. If you have questions for admissions, counseling, financial aid, or program specific information, they always answer within 24 hours and they treat you like a person, not a number. Both faculty and staff are helpful and just seem nice. I have had nothing but pleasant interactions with faculty, staff and students. It's just a welcoming environment.
    Read 3,655 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 59% Acceptance Rate
    • $17,441 Net Price
    • 1000-1180 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?

  34. Ashland University

    • 4 Year
    • Ashland, OH
    • 673
    25 Best College Food in America

    Niche User: I have had the opportunity to attend Ashland University classes as a High School Senior. The staff, campus, and students were helpful and welcoming. The cafeteria is top notch and I have been accepted as an incoming freshman for the Fall of 2019. After visiting nearly a dozen other college campuses, I found everything from student support, a beautiful campus, and a top rated program at Ashland University.
    Read 673 Reviews

    • B
      Overall Niche Grade
    • A+
      Campus Food
    • 72% Acceptance Rate
    • $20,601 Net Price
    • 956-1173 SAT Range
    Will You Get In?
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