Students enjoy crawfish during UAPB Dining’s annual outdoor seafood boil. The event brings students together through a shared dining experience featuring seafood, games, and campus activities.
The University of Arkansas at Pine Bluff (UAPB) Dining has been ranked among the Top 5 Colleges in Arkansas for Campus Food. The recognition comes from Niche, a national college-ranking and review platform that evaluates colleges and universities across the United States.
Niche rankings are based on student surveys, statistical data, and comprehensive analysis across multiple categories, including campus food, according to Tiarra Hammond, a marketing manager for Aramark Collegiate Hospitality.
According to Niche, the rankings are based on a combination of student reviews and data related to campus dining and meal plans. Factors include student satisfaction, food quality, variety, dining options, and overall dining experience. UAPB received an A Campus Food grade in the recent rankings, Hammond said.
While UAPB Dining has been previously recognized by Niche, this is the first time it has been placed among the Top 5. In 2025, UAPB was listed at number 9 in Arkansas for Best College Food. Moving up to number 5 marks a significant achievement and reflects continued positive student feedback regarding the dining experience, Hammond said.
She added that this highlights “UAPB Dining’s ongoing commitment to enhancing the student experience through quality food, diverse menu offerings, special dining events, and innovative concepts that meet the needs and preferences of today’s students.”
“We’re honored to be recognized by Niche as one of the top college dining programs in Arkansas. Moving from number 9 to 5 and earning our first Top 5 ranking reflects the dedication of our culinary and hospitality teams, as well as the valuable feedback we receive from our students. We remain committed to providing an exceptional dining experience for the UAPB community,” Hammond said.
Dining and Cooking