Students’ opinions and taste buds earned Southeastern Louisiana University a place among the 2026 Best College Food in the nation list. The rankings were published by Niche, the market leader in connecting colleges and schools with students and families.
“This national recognition reflects our commitment to creating an exceptional campus experience for our students. Dining is an important part of student life, and we have invested in providing high-quality, affordable, and diverse options that meet the needs and preferences of our campus community,” said Southeastern President William S. Wainwright. “Being ranked among the best college dining programs in the nation is especially meaningful because it is based on feedback from our students, whose experiences remain at the center of everything we do. We are proud that Southeastern continues to be recognized for providing an environment where students can learn, connect, and thrive.”
Based on student reviews, the ranking considers meal plan costs and student access to healthy, quality food across a wide range of cuisines and dietary preferences. Southeastern came in at No. 66 out of 1,367 public and private traditional four-year colleges and universities across the United States.
“With the expansion of our Student Union, we completely transformed the dining experience on campus,” said Assistant Vice President for Operations and Auxiliary Services Connie Davis. “After much research, we found that trends in campus dining include a central location that offers both healthy and delicious options with affordable variety for the students and campus community. The Mane Dish restaurant has an ever-changing menu that can be customized to the consumer’s preferences. Located in the Student Union, it’s a great space to relax and enjoy a meal while on campus.”
The ranking was based on survey responses obtained from students at the more than 1,300 colleges and universities on the list. Among the criteria considered were healthy and organic options, overall quality, and variety of offerings.
Student opinions collected in the survey referred to the many options for campus dining, the variety of meals from which to choose, quality and freshness of food, and reasonable prices.
In addition to its Mane Dish dining facility, which offers all you care to eat meals made on site, Southeastern also maintains a food court, featuring a variety of nationally-based vendors.
