Here, we’ll discuss ten small colleges that offer affordable meal plans for college students with a focus on delicious quality food. This is a timely discussion because of a common misconception.
The popular notion is that small colleges don’t offer affordable meal plans for college students. Their meal plans are limited in quantity, inferior in quality, or expensive – or, worse, all three.
The common misconception isn’t surprising, as small colleges usually have fewer resources. There’s also the fact that small colleges don’t have economies of scale among mid-sized and large colleges. Small colleges then pass on the higher costs to their students.
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While these are true in many small colleges, there are exceptions to the rule. You’ll be surprised by the quantity, quality, and affordability of these small colleges’ meal plans.
The Importance of Affordable Meal Plans
College students spend $570 per month, on average, on a campus meal plan. The cost of a meal plan matters because it represents a significant part of their monthly expenses.
College students spend about $2,930 per month on living expenses, on average (College Board). If you’re spending $570 per month on a meal plan, it’s almost 20% of your monthly budget.
With this in mind, we can identify the reasons for seeking small colleges with budget-friendly dining options.
Financial well-being
Studies have shown that college students will skip meals to buy books, supplies, and other essentials. With affordable meal plans, skipping meals isn’t necessary anymore. Plus, affordable meal plans mean better finances.
Nutritional impact
College students who have access to healthy food options enjoy better health, too. Your energy levels and mental focus increase with regular and healthy meals.
Time management
Ready-made meals mean less time spent on grocery shopping, cooking, and cleaning up. You can spend more time on your studies and extracurriculars.
College students can connect with their peers in dining halls. Your community and network expand if you take the time to be sociable.
Indeed, affordable meal plans have a positive impact on the quality of life among college students. Your day-to-day life becomes healthier and easier.
Benefits of Small Colleges Offering Budget-Friendly Meal Plans
Small colleges with affordable meal plans adopt clever ways to make these possible. Partnerships with local farms and self-operated dining services are common. Many colleges also engage in community-supported agriculture (CSA) programs. In these programs, a college buys a share of local farmers’ harvest in advance.
There are several benefits of meal plan costs at small colleges, too.
Personalized dining services
Small colleges have fewer than 5,000 students. As a result, there’s a greater emphasis on a close-knit campus community that extends to the dining hall. Students enjoy a more personalized dining experience including customized meal options. Vegetarian meals, comfort food, and cultural favorites are available.
There’s a greater emphasis on quality than on quantity, too. Delicious food beats bland food anytime, even when it’s available in a wider variety.
Locally-sourced food
Again, small colleges maintain partnerships with local farmers. This means easy access to fresh, organic, and seasonal ingredients at lower prices. Students enjoy more affordable meal plans in the process.
Plus, the quality and nutritional value of the meals are better. Fresh and seasonal ingredients have that effect.
Flexible meal plans
In a small college, it’s easier to cater to the dietary restrictions and preferences of students. This is also true when offering meal plans based on budgetary constraints. The greater flexibility means more benefits for students.
Popular examples include pay-as-you-go plans, off-campus dining allowances, and smaller meal packages. Students then pay only for what they need.
Top Small Colleges with Affordable Meal Plans
We selected these ten small colleges for their affordable yet quality meal plans. Of course, not every college will be to your liking, meal plan-wise. You must then choose based on your budget, dining preferences, and dietary restrictions.
Berea College
Since 1892, Berea College has offered tuition-free education. It isn’t surprising then that it tops the list for dining affordability for college students.
Every residential student must have a meal plan. There are three plans to choose from:
- The Silver Unlimited Plan is the default plan for all students unless you choose otherwise. This includes unlimited meals per week as well as $50 flex dollars and two guest passes.
- The Gold Plan also comes with unlimited meals per week plus four guest meal passes and $100 flex dollars.
- The Platinum Plan offers unlimited meals per week, eight guest meal passes, and $150 flex dollars.
Who doesn’t love access to unlimited meals per week?
College of the Ozarks
Yet another of the budget-friendly colleges for student dining is College of the Ozarks. Here, students can receive tuition-free education in exchange for on-campus work. Many students work on the college farm that produces fresh produce for COFO’s dining halls.
Students have access to affordable meal plans, too. The Pearl is the hub for student dining services where three meals per day are available. Students choose from a wide range of made-to-order sandwiches, pizzas, and hamburgers, among others.
COFO charged $4,400 per semester (2024-2025) for housing and food plans. Financial aid is available to cover these costs.
Warren Wilson College
Keeping food costs low comes easy at Warren Wilson College. The private college has a 300-acre farm that produces beef, pork and poultry products. Fruits, vegetables, and herbs are in cultivation, too. These are bound for the three on-campus dining locations with farm-to-table menus.
Students run the 300-acre farm, too, and receive scholarships that offset their tuition. Even their meal plans are affordable, especially when unlimited meals at the Gladfelter Dining Hall are considered.
St. Olaf College
With its emphasis on academic excellence, St. Olaf College extends it to its meal plans. Affordability comes from its locally sourced food. Quality is a given with delicious food with high nutritional value offered at its dining halls.
Students choose from two meal plans:
- Full Meal Plan Option: $3,565 per semester (with zero to $540 flex dollars per year; 14 to 21 meals per week)
- Partial Meal Plan Option: $1,785 per semester (90 meals per semester and $450 flex dollars per year)
Financial aid is also available for meal plans.
New College of Florida
The public liberal arts college offers flexible meal plans that accommodate diverse budgets. Residential and commuter students choose from three meal plans:
- Bronze All Access (unlimited dining, zero flex dollars, $1,910/semester)
- Silver All Access (unlimited dining, $200 flex dollars, $2,110/semester)
- Gold All Access (unlimited dining, $400 flex dollars, ten free guest meals, $2,310/semester)
NCF also provides dietary accommodations on a case-by-case basis. Students must submit an online request and meet with the college dietitian.
Goshen College
The private liberal arts college adopts the Fresh Food Forward model in its dining services. Students receive made-from-scratch nutritious meals served at its Westlawn Dining Hall. The all-you-care-to-eat dining experience features a full-salad bar, vegan and vegetarian food, and themed meals.
Residential students choose from these meal options.
- Unlimited ($2,605/semester)
- 65 Block ($1,070/semester)
Commuter students can avail of the 30 Block Plan ($475/semester).
Alfred University
The private university is among the small colleges with low-cost dining options. Students select from numerous dining options, so boredom isn’t an issue. Healthy pre-packaged food, eclectic lunch items, and all-you-can-eat breakfast and dinner are available.
Alfred University offers six meal plans.
- King Alfred Plan
- Gold Plan
- Purple Plan
- Black Knight Plan
- Commuter 90 Block
- Commuter 50 Block
The meal plans cost between $2,930 and $7,730 for the fall and spring terms. The number of meals differs, too, from 50 meals/semester to unlimited meals. Dining dollars also come with most meal plans.
Students may apply for financial aid in order to cover the cost of their meal plans.
Southwestern College
Located in Winfield, Kansas, Southwestern College is a private Christian liberal arts college. Most housing plans require a subscription to meal plans. There are many residence halls to choose from, too, including Sutton Hall and Cole Hall, the most affordable options.
Southwestern College uses Fresh Ideas food service for its meal plans. Students get their food from the cafeteria. Breakfast, lunch and dinner are available on weekdays. Brunch is available on weekends.
Bennington College
The private liberal arts college considers on-campus dining an essential aspect of the college experience. Students enjoy a wide range of food, including gluten-free, vegan, and vegetarian choices. Continental breakfast is also available.
Bennington Dining offers unlimited access for students with the Unlimited Meal Plan. The residential full board plan consists of 21 meals per week per term. Commons Dining is open to students with the Flex 7 Plan seven times per week.
Hollins University
If you’re looking for affordable dining for students at small colleges, check out Hollins University. Along with the Meriwether Godsey team, the university provides delicious meals every day.
The Moody Dining Hall offers a wide range of food that appeals to diverse tastes. A cereal station, baker’s corner, and fruit, yogurt, and granola bar are available.
How to Choose a Meal Plan That Fits Your Budget
The best cost-saving tips for college meal plans start with choosing the one that’s within your budget.
Determine your dining needs.
First, assess your eating habits and preferences by asking relevant questions like:
- How many meals will you eat in a week? Will you eat at the dining hall three times a day or less?
- Do you prefer dining in on-campus facilities or off-campus restaurants? Will you enjoy more flex dollars or less?
Then, check the coverage of the meal plans. Do these include holidays, summer breaks, and weekends? This is particularly important if you stay on campus during these times.
Compare the costs between meal plans and their flexibility.
Divide the total cost of the meal plan by the number of meals allowed. You’ll arrive at the cost per meal that can be used for comparison purposes. Obviously, you’ll want to choose the lowest cost per meal.
But look beyond it because flexibility matters, too. You may want more flex dollars or more customized meals for your dietary restrictions.
Consider the dining policies in the big picture.
Ask about these crucial matters, too:
- Hidden fees, such as for unused meal rollovers and late changes
- Accommodations for dietary preferences, such as gluten-free and vegan
- Off-campus dining options through college partnerships
- Rollover and refund policies
Be sure to seek feedback from your peers, too. If you’re a freshman, ask upperclassmen about their recommendations and dining experiences.
The bottom line: Affordability matters in college meal plans. But don’t overlook the quality of the food and dining services. You want to get the best value – affordability plus quality.
Financial Aid and Scholarships to Cover Meal Plans
The best meal plans at small colleges aren’t only affordable to start with. You can also apply for financial aid to cover part or all of the cost of your meal plan.
Here are the steps to apply for and leverage financial aid for meal plans.
- Fill out your current FAFSA form. Be sure to include the cost of your meal plan in your COA estimate.
- Consult with a financial aid officer about coverage for your meal plan. If it’s insufficient, request for extra financial aid.
- Explore food-specific scholarships in your college and independent organizations. The University of California System, University of Washington, and Rutgers University offer these kinds of aid.
Conclusion: Think Small for Big Savings
If you’re looking for affordable college meal plans, consider small colleges. You’ll be surprised at the best value that “thinking small” can give. Small colleges also provide more personalized and flexible dining options that make college life more rewarding. Plus, we love that small colleges have on-campus farms for a farm-to-table experience.