How were the rankings determined?

Each school received separate on-campus and off-campus assessments, with scores reflecting dining variety, labeling clarity, and communication and what the surrounding area provides for Celiac disease and gluten-free students.

How I collected the information

Who was included?

To evaluate gluten-free dining accessibility at colleges and universities, I reviewed a broad range of schools across different regions, sizes, and types—including both large public universities and smaller private colleges. I began with the top 50 U.S. News & World Report schools with over 10,000 students, then added more large and small schools to ensure diversity by region, size, and type (public and private).

On-Campus Dining

For each campus, I reviewed online dining menus, allergen labeling systems, and nutrition pages. I looked for:

Variety: more than just plain chicken, rice, or salad; schools earned higher marks if they offered a range of gluten-free options that reflected the main menu’s diversity.

Labeling Clarity: whether gluten-free items were clearly identified and consistent across platforms (digital and in-person).
Safety Information: whether schools noted cross-contact precautions or explained what “gluten-free” meant in their dining context.
Responsiveness : whether dining staff or nutritionists replied to questions, and how helpful and specific their responses were.

Off Campus Dining

Reviwed nearby restaurants and delivery options for gluten-free meals within walking or short driving (delivery_ distance. This reflects the social side of dining—students often eat with friends, so proximity to safe off-campus options adds flexibility and inclusion.

Consider this

Scores were adjusted for smaller campuses that may have fewer dining locations or less resources for websites if they still were responsive and had GF options and safety standards.

Important: If a school’s score is on the lower side, remember it’s just a starting point. The rankings reflect what I personally value. For example, I prioritize food variety, while others might care more about cost or convenience. You might only live on campus for one year and then cook for yourself so do not get tied up with the number. And, there’s always room for campuses to improve their dining options and labeling!