With more than 20 campus locations, ISU Dining makes it easy to find a fresh meal when you need it. Whether you live in the residence halls, an apartment, or off campus we offer meal plans to fit your lifestyle. 

Find a Plan That Fits Your Lifestyle

Meal plan requirements are set according to housing locations indicated in the table below. Required meal plan residence halls are Birch, Welch, Roberts, Barton, Lyon, Freeman, Maple, Willow, Larch, Geoffroy, Buchanan, Eaton, Martin, Helser, and Friley.

Housing Location Plan Required Plans Available
Required Meal Plan Residence Halls Yes Cardinal, Gold, or Campanile*
Linden, Wallace, or Wilson No All Plans
Apartments or Off Campus No All Plans

*Students re-contracting for a second-year in required meal plan residence halls may select the Campanile plan.

ISU Dining Meal Plan Details

Once you receive a housing assignment, you’ll know which meal plans are available to you. First-year students living in required meal plan residence halls must select the Cardinal or Gold plan. Students residing in Linden, Wallace, Wilson, apartments, or off campus, may select from all the plans. Students re-contracting for a second-year in required meal plan residence halls may select the Campanile plan. Compare main plans in the table below.

Plan Details Cardinal Plan Gold Plan Campanile Plan
Dining Center Meals Per Semester Unlimited 210 135
GET & Go Meals Per Day 2 2 From 210 2 From 135
Dining Dollars Per Semester $250 $250 $250
Guest Meal Options 5 Guest Dining Center Meals Per Semester Use Dining Dollars or Meal Swipes From 210 Use Dining Dollars or Meal Swipes From 135
26-27 Rate Per Semester / Year $2736 / $5472 $2570 / $5140 $2103 / $4206

Meals expire at the end of each semester. Dining Dollars rollover from fall and expire at the end of the spring semester. Additional Dining Dollars may be purchased at any time.

Further review each plan by selecting the plus signs.

Enjoy unlimited access to dining centers for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and all the snack times in between without ever counting a single swipe!

Dining Dollars rollover from fall and expire at the end of the spring semester. Additional Dining Dollars may be purchased at any time.

For those only utilizing the Dining Center a couple times per day, this plan offers essential dining center access with a set amount of swipes.

Meals expire at the end of each semester. Dining Dollars rollover from fall and expire at the end of the spring semester. Additional Dining Dollars may be purchased at any time.

Students re-contracting for a second-year in required meal plan residence halls may select the Campanile plan instead of Cardinal or Gold. Students living off campus may also opt for this plan if they anticipate eating on campus more frequently.

  • 135 swipes per semester
    • Swipe to spend up to $13.50 per meal in retail locations
    • Swipe to enjoy a Dining Center Meal for the best value
    • Express 2 meals per day from 135
  • $250 Dining Dollars per semester
  • $2103 per semester 

Meals expire at the end of each semester. Dining Dollars rollover from fall and expire at the end of the spring semester. Additional Dining Dollars may be purchased at any time.

2026-2027 Block Plans
For those who need a few meals here or there, Block plans help students save about 20% off the Dining Center door rate. Each meal may also be used as a Flex Meal in retail locations for purchases up to $13.75 in value. Blocks expire at the end of the spring semester. Additional Block plans may be purchased at any time throughout the fall and spring semesters.

Block PlansRate Per Block
100 Meals$1378
50 Meals$703
25 Meals$360

Anyone who needs a snack or caffeine fix every now and then can save with Dining Dollars on their ISUCard. It’s just like using a debit card but less expensive because there’s a discount for buying 200 or more at a time. Dining Dollars rollover from fall and expire at the end of the spring semester. Additional Dining Dollars may be purchased at any time.

Dining Dollar AmountDiscountPrice Per Dollar
$600+10%$0.90
$400-5904.5%$0.93
$200-3905%$0.95
$10-190 $1.00

Additional Meal Plans

Looking for something outside the traditional student dining experience? We’ve got you covered!

  • Faculty and Staff

    Iowa State University employees can save on meals with Block plans and Dining Dollars.

    Compare Plans

  • Summer Session

    Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean we’re slowing down. Find fresh options on the go and enjoy some fun in the sun.

    Compare Plans

  • Early Arrival

    School isn’t in session but we are. Get settled in and focus on the upcoming semester without stressing over meals.

    Compare Plans

Be Our Guest

No meal plan? No problem! All of our locations are open to the public. Whether you’re craving a cafe treat or looking for an all you care to eat dining center option, we’ve got you covered. Check hours and menus prior to your visit. Meal plan holders may have Guest Meals, Flex Meals, or Dining Dollars to cover your entry. Cashless forms of payment are also accepted.

The following rates apply to Conversations, Seasons Marketplace, Union Drive Marketplace, and Friley Windows.

Guest AgeBreakfast RuleLunch and Dinner Rate
Adult 10+$12.85$16.50
Child Under 10$9.75$11.75

Have questions about dining as a guest? Planning a group visit? Let us know so we can best accommodate you!

Ask ISU Dining

Not seeing what you’re searching for? Email inquiries to our team at dining@iastate.edu.