Image courtesy of the University of Massachusetts

Going off to college is a big transition for most young adults for many reasons. For some, it’s moving to a different state, leaving family, or living with a roommate. And for others, it’s the food! While it is often overlooked when making a decision on what college to attend, making sure your college has good food options that fit your lifestyle is crucial. The following will list some of the U.S. colleges with the highest-rated dining halls:

• UMass Amherst: The Princeton Review has ranked UMass Amherst at #1 for seven consecutive years now! They have dining halls, cafes, food trucks, and food delivery services for students to utilize.
• James Madison University: JMU offers 28 dining locations and popular chains like Starbucks and Chick-fil-A as well as two buffet-style dining halls.
• University of South Carolina: USC has over 30 food venues on campus, many of which offer healthy eating options such as smoothies and salads.
• Virginia Tech: VT has over 40 food venues and two food trucks on campus, offering a very diverse dining experience. VT has a steakhouse and sports lounge on campus, two of the most popular eating spots.
• Cornell University: Cornell offers many dining halls dispersed throughout residence halls as well as many cafes and restaurants. Cornell has also been applauded for their use of locally produced dairy products and produce grown at Cornell Orchards.

While this list only gives a small glimpse into the colleges with great food options, these are some of the highest-rated colleges in terms of dining options. Ratings take many things into account, such as where ingredients are sourced from, availability of dining options, if health-conscious options are offered, and many more. Before making a huge decision like where you will go to college, it is definitely worth considering if the dining options offered are suitable for you!