Do community colleges have dorms?

By College Raptor StaffLast updated on March 4, 2026

Key takeaways:

  • About 25% of community colleges in the United States have dorms for students.
  • Spots are often very limited and may be granted to 4-year or full-time students first.
  • Many students who can’t live on campus rent nearby, opt for college partner apartments, or live with their parents or other relatives.
Austin Community College

Flickr user Austin Community College

A majority of community colleges don’t have dorm rooms available for their students, but there are some exceptions. Since they serve the local area, many students rent nearby or live with their parents, commuting to their classes, rather than living on campus. We’ve listed some community colleges that have dorm rooms below, plus provided some other options if you can’t live on campus while you earn your associate’s degree.

Do community colleges have dorms?

Most community colleges don’t have housing available. As of 2023, only roughly 25% have dorms for their students, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES).

Even if your local community college has dorm rooms, there’s no guarantee you’ll be able to get one. They’re unlikely to have housing for everyone, and they may be reserved for 4-year or full-time students. If you’d like to live on campus, act quickly to grab a spot.

Why do most community colleges not have dorms?

For the most part, community colleges don’t offer student housing because there isn’t a demand for it. A majority of students come from the local area, are studying online, and/or only attending part-time. Many decide to stay with their parents during this time to save money. Plus, community colleges tend to have smaller student bodies and campuses compared to 4-year schools.

At four-year colleges, students can come from all over the country and it isn’t feasible to have all students rent locally. It could drive up home and rent prices, contribute to excess traffic, and possibly cause issues within the community. In these cases, dorm rooms are a necessity in order to best serve students and the community.

Community colleges that have housing

This table outlines just some of the community colleges that offer housing throughout the United States.

Community colleges with housing

 What are your other options?

If you can’t find a community college in your area that offers dorms or you weren’t selected for one of the limited spots, you have a few options:

  • Inquire about partner apartments. Some junior colleges have apartment complexes that they recommend. They often offer lower rates for students and are located just off campus.
  • Rent an apartment, home, or condo in the nearby community. Many opt for roommates to keep costs down. However, you may need to pass a credit check in order to rent or have someone co-sign for you.
  • Continue living with your parents. If you’re attending a local 2-year school, living with your parents or another relative can save you thousands of dollars in room and board.

If you’re on the lookout for community colleges that have dorm rooms, we recommend using College Raptor’s College Match tool. You can put in what you’re looking for in a school, and it will return with institutions that match your needs – including ones with housing for students!

By College Raptor Staff
Applying to college can be challenging, and so we at College Raptor feel it's our duty to make that process as easy, smooth, and rewarding as possible. We work hard to clarify dense material, dispel myths, uncover information, and help you learn what you need to know!

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