Introduction: What Is College Housing?
The cost of college housing is a significant component of the total cost of attendance (COA). While the amounts vary, it can range between 40% and 50% of COA.
What is college housing in the first place? The term refers to the range of living arrangements for college students. These aren’t only places to rest and sleep, either. These accommodate the students’ diverse needs for a place to study, live, and enjoy campus life.
Making the right choice is also critical in the smooth transition to college. The right college housing makes for easier and faster adjustments to college life.
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The cost of college housing varies, too, depending on the type, location, and features. Dormitories with a wide range of features are common. Their types include, such as shared rooms, suite-style rooms, and apartment-style dorms. Student apartments, fraternity and sorority houses, and private rentals are also available.
Why understand the cost of college accommodations? The cost has a significant impact on your cost of attendance and your college experience.
You can create a realistic budget with reliable information about the housing costs. Your choice of college housing will influence your academic performance and social life. You should also consider the financial aid opportunities that cover room and board.
Read on and find more information about the cost of college room and board. You will find that, indeed, knowledge leads to smart decisions.
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Types of College Housing
The beauty of college housing is its wide range – there’s something for everyone.
Campus dormitories
These are the first things that come to mind when we think of college housing. In fact, many prestigious universities require freshmen students to live in on-campus dormitories. Harvard, Cornell, and Dartmouth are a few examples.
Dormitories come in all shapes and sizes, too, with the most common being:
- Traditional dorms usually feature shared rooms for 2-4 persons and basic furniture. Common areas and communal bathrooms are typical. Students usually love the social atmosphere, affordable costs, and proximity to classes.
- Suite-style dorms offer more modern features and privacy than traditional dorms. But these are usually more expensive, too. Students can choose between single and double rooms.
- Apartment-style dorms feature separate bedrooms, private bathrooms, and kitchens. Students can enjoy a more home-like experience. But these are more expensive and more distant from classrooms.
- Living-and-learning communities follow an academic focus or a theme. The University of Michigan, UCLA, and Penn State offer LLCs.
- Off-campus accommodations
These are apartments, houses, and studios, among others, for rent. Students rent these accommodations on their own. There’s a sense of greater independence in these accommodations.
Note that the real property market influences off-campus housing costs. You may or may not pay a higher rent for an off-campus apartment than in a traditional dorm.
Other housing options
Greek letter fraternities and sororities offer their members housing accommodations, too. There’s a wide variety of features, too, from shared rooms to private spaces. The exclusivity usually comes with a price, such as extra costs and commitments.
Cooperative housing options are student-run accommodations. Residents share maintenance and management responsibilities. These can have more affordable rent, but coop living isn’t for everyone.
Breaking Down the Costs
College housing expenses generally refer to the costs of room and board. The term “room” refers to the type of housing provided to students by the university. Meal plans, usually provided by a campus cafeteria, cover “board.”
During the 2022-2023 academic year, students paid an average of $7,104 for dorm costs. Their board costs were an average of $4,628 for the year. In total, the average room and board costs were $11,732 for the year.
Of course, your actual room and board costs will vary depending on several factors. As with non-college housing, the size, features, and amenities of college housing determines its price.
Furthermore, there are three components of room and board costs.
Cost of the room itself
Think of it as your rent for staying in whatever accommodations you’re in. The traditional dorms are usually the most affordable options, particularly shared rooms. Factors like new construction, luxurious amenities, and proximity to the main campus affect the cost, nonetheless.
Cost of the meal plans
Students living in on-campus traditional dorms may be required to purchase meal plans. These may range from basic plans with a few meals per week to all-you-can-eat meal options. Greek letter accommodations can also offer meal plans offered by their dining facilities.
Meal plans, however, are usually optional for students in apartment-style accommodations and off-campus housing. Students have more freedom in their food choices and dining times.
Utilities and other fees
These include the costs of electricity, water, and heating/cooling services. Internet connection, garbage collection fees, and maintenance fees are also common. Consider laundry, security deposits, and furniture and appliances rent, too.
The types and amounts of utilities and other fees collected will depend on college housing. In dormitories, these are usually included in the room costs. But, in apartment-style and off-campus accommodations, students pay separate charges for utilities and other fees.
Suffice it to say that room and board fees are a significant part of your college living expenses. You must then include it in your financial planning for college.
Factors Affecting Housing Costs
Several factors influence college housing costs:
Urban vs. rural location of the college
The higher cost of living and real property values in urban areas result in higher college housing costs. The nearer your college’s main campus is to an urban area, the more expensive its housing costs will be.
New York University students pay $24,652 for their room and board per year. Middlebury College Students spend $19,250 on their room and board annually. Note that these figures include meal plans.
Type of institution
Public colleges and universities receive government funding to subsidize their operational costs. As a result, their housing costs are more affordable for students.
Private colleges, in contrast, don’t receive state funding but rely on revenues and endowments. Their housing costs are then more expensive. There’s also the fact that their facilities and amenities are more luxurious.
Size of the room and housing amenities
The larger the room, the higher the cost. Sole occupants are also more likely to pay higher costs than students who share rooms. Air-conditioning/heating, private bathrooms, study lounges, and fitness centers will also increase housing costs.
Comparing On-Campus and Off-Campus Housing
On-campus living has many advantages but its disadvantages can also give you pause for thought.
Pros
- Easy access to on-campus facilities, resources, and services
- Savings on time and transportation costs to and from classes
- More opportunities for spontaneous and planned social activities with fellow students
- Greater involvement with campus life, including participation in the student government, sports teams, and clubs
- More sense of safety and security, thanks to on-campus security measures and manpower
- Easy access to housing-related support services, such as laundry and counseling
Cons
- Costs can be higher, especially with meal plans
- Limited choices for transfer students and upperclassmen
- Lack of privacy, especially in dorms
- Plenty of rules and regulations
- Distance from off-campus facilities
Living off-campus has the following pros and cons.
Pros
- More choices in the location, type, size and amenities of housing
- Greater sense of self-reliance and independence (i.e., fewer rules and routines)
- More possibility for room sharing and other cost-saving measures
- Greater opportunities for privacy
Cons
- More commutes to and from your campus resulting in additional time and transportation costs
- Possibility of missing out on on-campus events
- Requires more responsibilities for chores like cooking and cleaning
Tips for Reducing Housing Costs
- Budgeting for college housing with your parents is a must.
- Compare college dorm prices against your budget and lifestyle.
- Ask upperclassmen for tips about the best deals.
- Choose partial meal plans if you don’t intend to eat all your meals on campus.
- Work with your roommates about bringing in kitchen appliances, furniture, and furnishings.
- Become a resident advisor since it comes with discounted housing fees and free meals.
- Enroll in coop programs in exchange for discounts on housing costs.
- Consider living in off-campus housing if you’re allowed. Live with roommates. Plan your meals instead of ordering takeouts.
- Apply for financial aid that covers room and board. Check out the Gates Millennium Scholars Program and Coca-Cola Scholars Program Scholarship.
Indeed, saving on college housing demands a holistic approach. You must start planning as early as your senior year in high school, too.
Conclusion: Planning for College Housing Expenses
We cannot overemphasize the crucial importance of planning and budgeting for college housing costs. When you have a realistic understanding of these costs, you’re better able to create a realistic budget for your annual cost of attendance. You can also plan for cost-saving measures that contribute to your positive college experiences. After all, you want a roof over your head and food in your stomach to study and live well.
Don’t hesitate to ask for help, too. You must work with your university’s financial aid office, student support services staff, and mentors to figure out the best housing arrangements and financial aid.