The Ultimate Guide to University of Pennsylvania Meal Plans: A Deep Dive for 2024-2025
Hey everyone! If you're heading to the University of Pennsylvania, one of the big things you're probably trying to figure out is the whole dining situation. Honestly, choosing a meal plan can feel like a bigger decision than picking your major sometimes. You're thinking about your schedule, your eating habits, how much time you'll actually spend on campus… it's a lot. I've been down this rabbit hole, so I wanted to put together a seriously comprehensive guide to help you figure out the best Penn meal plan for you. We're going to break down everything from the mandatory first-year plans to the more flexible options for upperclassmen & grad students.
First things first: The Mandatory Plans
If you're a first-year or second-year student at Penn, the decision is partly made for you. The university requires you to be on a dining plan, which they say is to foster community & make sure you're not trying to survive on instant noodles alone. It's part of what they call the "Second-Year Experience," which includes living on campus too.
So, let's get into the nitty-gritty of what you'll be choosing from.
First-Year Plans: The Two Big Choices
As a freshman, you have two options. The interesting thing is, they both cost the exact same amount: $6,744 for the academic year. The difference is all in how you want to split your dining between meal "swipes" & "Dining Dollars."
Here's the breakdown:
| Plan Name | Swipes (per semester) | Dining Dollars (per semester) | Average Meals (per week) | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|
| First-Year 296 | 296 | $125 | ~19 | $6,744 | Students who plan to eat most meals in the all-you-care-to-eat dining halls. |
| First-Year 187 | 187 | $400 | ~12 | $6,744 | Students who want more flexibility to eat at retail locations like Houston Hall. |
So, what's a "swipe" versus a "Dining Dollar"?
- Swipes: These are used to enter the all-you-care-to-eat (AYCTE) residential dining halls. Think places like Hill House, Lauder College House, & Kings Court English House. You swipe your PennCard, you go in, & you can eat as much as you want.
- Dining Dollars: This is like a debit account on your PennCard. You can use these at the various retail dining locations on campus. This includes popular spots in Houston Hall, McClelland Express, & others where you pay for specific items.
The big debate, which we'll get into more later, is which is more valuable. Some students swear by having more swipes, while others couldn't live without a hefty stash of Dining Dollars. If you don't pick one by the deadline (usually around June 25th), you'll automatically be placed on the First-Year 296 plan. Don't stress too much, though—you can change your plan once during the Fall Change Period (usually late August to mid-September) & once during the Spring Change Period.
The Sophomore Year: A Little More Choice, Still Mandatory
For your second year, you're still required to have a dining plan as part of the "Second-Year Experience." You get a bit more flexibility, though. You can choose from either of the two first-year plans OR a new option designed specifically for second-year students.
Here are the sophomore options:
| Plan Name | Swipes (per semester) | Dining Dollars (per semester) | Average Meals (per week) | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|
| First-Year 296 | 296 | $125 | ~19 | $6,744 | The classic high-swipe plan for eating in the main dining halls. |
| First-Year 187 | 187 | $400 | ~12 | $6,744 | A balance of swipes & more spending money for retail spots. |
| Second-Year 156 | 156 | $350 | ~10 | Not specified in recent searches, but historically cheaper than first-year plans. | Sophomores who want fewer required meals & a decent amount of Dining Dollars. |
The introduction of this mandatory sophomore plan caused a bit of a stir when it was announced, with some students feeling it was a "blatant cash grab." The university's reasoning is to help with things like food insecurity & building community. For sophomores, if you don't select a plan, you'll be automatically enrolled in the Second-Year 156 plan.
Upperclass & Graduate Students: The Freedom to Choose
Once you're a junior, senior, or graduate student, the world of Penn Dining opens up. You are no longer required to have a meal plan, which is a path many students take. Some upperclassmen find it more cost-effective to cook for themselves, grab food from local restaurants, or a mix of both. However, for convenience, a lot of students still opt for a dining plan.
Living off-campus can be a big step towards independence, but it comes with its own set of challenges, like finding good parking. If you're bringing a car to Philly to make grocery runs easier, you'll quickly realize that street parking is a nightmare. This is where a service like Prked can be a lifesaver. It’s a platform that connects you with homeowners who are renting out their private driveways & garages. You can find a convenient & affordable spot near your apartment, which is way better than circling the block for an hour. It's a pretty cool solution for a classic city problem.
Now, if you decide to stick with a dining plan, you have a bunch of options designed for more independent lifestyles.
Here’s a look at the typical upperclass & grad student plans:
| Plan Name | Swipes (per semester) | Dining Dollars (per semester) | Annual Cost | Best For |
|---|
| Upperclass-108 | 108 | $600 | ~7 | $4,380 (estimated based on older data) | A solid mix for those who eat on campus regularly but not for every meal. |
| Upperclass-78 | 78 | $175 | ~5 | $3,090 | One main meal a day on campus with some grab-and-go options. |
| Upperclass-47 | 47 | $525 | ~3 | $2,720 | For those who mostly eat off-campus but want a backup for busy days. |
| Dining Dollars Only | 0 | $1,600 | 0 | $3,200 | For students who exclusively eat at retail locations & want guaranteed funds. |
| Grad Plan | 0 | $700 | 0 | $1,400 | A light supplement for grad students who are mostly off-campus. |
As you can see, these plans offer a lot more variety. The "Dining Dollars Only" plans are interesting because you're essentially pre-loading a certain amount of money to spend at campus retail locations. It's a way to budget for on-campus food without committing to the all-you-care-to-eat dining halls.
The Great Debate: More Swipes or More Dining Dollars?
This is the central question for every Penn student choosing a meal plan. The answer, not surprisingly, is: it depends.
Team More Swipes (like the First-Year 296):
A Reddit user on the r/UPenn subreddit made a compelling case for the high-swipe plan, saying, "I was on the more swipe plan both semesters & I think it was better for me since I could eat more food & get more value. It was pretty easy for me to spend all my swipes since I'd always get 2 swipes from Houston for lunch, & sometimes swipe for coffee/muffin between classes."
- Pros: You never have to worry about going hungry. If you have a big appetite, this is your plan. You can pop into a dining hall for a full meal, or just for a coffee & a piece of fruit. The cost-per-swipe is technically lower, which feels like a better value.
- Cons: You're tied to the residential dining halls. If you're not a fan of the food there, or if your schedule makes it hard to get to them during open hours, you might feel like you're wasting your money. You have very few Dining Dollars, so any purchases at places like Houston Hall will likely come out of your own pocket.
Team More Dining Dollars (like the First-Year 187):
On the other side of the argument, another student on the same Reddit thread said, "Penn '25 here, go with more dining dollars. No debate. Every singular person I know has no problem spending all their dining dollars & nearly everyone I knew [on the high-swipe plan] had tons of swipes left over."
- Pros: Flexibility is the name of the game. You have the freedom to eat at the more "restaurant-style" retail locations, which many students prefer. Places in Houston Hall offer things like customizable pasta bowls, burritos, ramen, & salads. If you have classes far from the main dining halls, grabbing something from a retail spot is often more convenient.
- Cons: You have fewer swipes for the all-you-care-to-eat places. If you find yourself wanting a big, sit-down meal often, you might burn through your swipes quickly. You have to be more mindful of your spending, as Dining Dollars can disappear faster than you think.
My advice? For your first semester, really think about your personality. Are you someone who likes a routine & big meals? Go for the swipes. Are you more spontaneous & like to have options? Go for the Dining Dollars. And remember, you can always change it for the spring semester!
Where to Actually Eat: A Quick Tour of Penn Dining
Knowing the plans is only half the battle. You also need to know where you can use your swipes & dollars. Here are some of the key spots on campus:
One of the biggest complaints from upperclassmen is the cost versus the quality of the food. Many feel they can get better food for a similar or cheaper price from the many food trucks & restaurants surrounding campus. This is especially true for students with dietary restrictions, like vegetarians, who have sometimes found the on-campus options to be "slim."
What About Storage?
A quick side note on a related topic: space. Whether you're moving into a dorm for the first time or setting up an off-campus apartment, you might find that you have more stuff than you have room for. Especially during the summer break, figuring out what to do with your things can be a pain. A pretty ingenious solution that's popped up is using Prked for storage. Just like they help with parking, they also connect people who need storage space with homeowners who have extra room in their garage, attic, or basement. It can be a much more convenient & affordable option than a traditional storage unit, especially for a few months over the summer.
So, What's the Verdict?
Alright, that was a TON of information. Let's try to boil it down.
- First-Years: You have to pick one of two plans. The First-Year 296 is for the big eaters who love a buffet. The First-Year 187 is for those who value the flexibility of retail locations. Honestly, you can't go too wrong either way, & you can always switch.
- Sophomores: You're also required to have a plan. You can stick with the first-year options or go for the Second-Year 156 plan, which is a good middle ground if you're starting to cook a bit on your own.
- Upperclassmen & Grads: You have total freedom. If you value convenience above all else, one of the upperclassmen plans is a great choice. If you're on a tighter budget or have specific dietary needs, you might be better off cooking for yourself & exploring the Philly food scene.
The best advice I can give is to "test-drive" your plan for the first few weeks of the semester. See what you actually end up doing. Are you constantly running to Houston Hall between classes? Maybe you need more Dining Dollars. Are you meeting friends at Lauder for long dinners every night? Then swipes are your best friend.
Hope this was helpful in breaking down the sometimes-confusing world of Penn dining plans. It's a big part of your student life experience, so it's worth taking a little time to figure out what works for you. Let me know what you think or if you have any other tips!
