Fairfield University Ranked No. 17 on Princeton Review’s 2026 Best Campus Food List

A modern glass-fronted campus building, Fairfield's Barone Campus Center, overlooks manicured lawns and intersecting walkways, with trees and a brick building in warm evening light.

Fairfield University has been ranked No. 17 on Princeton Review’s 2026 list of Best Campus Food, recognizing the University’s commitment to providing students with a dining experience that is an integral part of life in Stag Country.

The 2026 rankings are based on feedback from approximately 172,000 students at 392 colleges and universities across the country, making student perspectives a central part of the recognition.

Jay DeGoia, director of Aramark’s Stags Hospitality and a proud Fairfield alumnus, said, “The Stags Hospitality team has consistently provided world-class experiences for the Fairfield community. It is especially rewarding when the team is recognized by such prestigious organizations as The Princeton Review and Spokin.”

At Fairfield, Dining On-Campus, operated in partnership with Aramark under Stags Hospitality, offers students a variety of dining options designed to accommodate different schedules, tastes, dietary needs, and food allergies. With 13 unique dining stations, students can customize meals to fit their personal dietary needs. Popular campus favorites include the made-to-order avocado toast bar, fresh custom salads, vibrant grain bowls, and daily sushi. The program is growing in popularity, with meal plan participation increasing 13% from fall 2024 to fall 2025.

Student feedback has also reflected the strength of Fairfield’s dining program. According to a 2024-2025 Dining Styles Survey, Fairfield’s dining program ranked 27% above the regional average and 23% above the national average.

The University’s approach to dining extends beyond the food itself. Dining spaces provide students with places to gather between classes, meet with friends, study and build community—making dining a regular part of the student experience.

Research has increasingly highlighted the connection between campus dining and the broader student experience. A 2019 study, Campus Foodservice Experiences and Student Wellbeing, found that “on-campus foodservice provision contributes to positive student experiences, which can improve their overall wellbeing.” Moreover, quality food was found to support positive experiences and facilitates social interaction.

Fairfield’s commitment to creating a positive dining experience also includes supporting students with food allergies and dietary restrictions. Earlier this year, Fairfield University was named No. 3 on Spokin’s Top 100 Allergy-Friendly Colleges 2026 list, recognizing the University’s efforts to provide students with food allergies and dietary needs with safe and accessible dining options.

The Princeton Review’s No. 17 ranking offers an external reflection of what Fairfield students experience every day, which is that dining is more than a meal. It is a place to connect, recharge, make choices that support individual well-being and experience the community that makes Fairfield home.

For more information about dining at Fairfield University, visit fairfield.edu/dining.

MEDIA CONTACT

Julia LeBlanc

jleblanc1@fairfield.edu (203) 254-4000 x2726

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