One of the most exciting things about going to college may be getting to live on your own with new friends (roommates). But, not knowing your student housing situation can be nerve-wracking. This is why we are breaking down some of the most common types of student housing for college students.
On-Campus Housing
When it comes to student housing on campus, chances are you can picture a small dorm room with two twin beds, two desks, a mini fridge, and a communal bathroom at the end of a long hall. However, the style of housing that is typically depicted in movies is not the only style or setup. Here are some other common types of on-campus housing.
Dorms
Most colleges may have a few different residence halls or buildings for student housing. In these different buildings, there may be varying setups. Some could look more like an apartment with a kitchen, while others may just be a space to sleep, study, and shower. Here are a few typical dorm setups you will see while looking at colleges.
Singles & Doubles/Multi Roommate With a Shared Bathroom
As we mentioned earlier, one of the most common types of dorm housing may be a bedroom with a shared bathroom down the hall. The bedroom setup typically comes with a bed, desk, desk chair, and closet space. However, this depends on each college. If you want to know the specific setup of the college you’re interested in, make sure to visit their website for detailed information.
University of Florida | Double, Graham Hall
Singles & Doubles/Multi Roommate With Ensuite
“Ensuite” is a fancy way of saying you have your own, or shared with your roommates, bathroom. This dorm style typically consists of two rooms, each accommodating two individuals, connected by a shared bathroom. This results in a total of four occupants sharing one bathroom. However, ensuite-style dorms can vary widely, featuring different room configurations and occupancy numbers.
University of Miami | Double Suite, Pearson Residential College
Apartment Style
Where singles, multi-roommates, and ensuites with no kitchen or living room space are typically for underclassmen, campuses with apartment-style living arrangements tend to prioritize upperclassmen living in these spaces. Apartment-style housing is essentially what it sounds like—an apartment, but it’s on-campus and run and owned by the college. In this style, you may typically find a single or double room with a bathroom that is shared, a kitchen with a stove, oven, and fridge, and a living room space.
While living in on-campus apartment-style housing, many colleges may still provide dining options and meal plans, but they might no longer be mandatory. If you prefer not to have a meal plan, take into account the proximity of the nearest grocery store and your access to transportation. If you or your roommates lack a car and the grocery store isn’t conveniently located near public transportation or within walking/biking distance, you might want to reconsider opting for a meal plan.
University of South Florida | Double Bedroom 4 Person Apartment, Kosove Apartments
University of South Florida | Single Bedroom 4 Person Apartment, Cypress Apartments
Sorority and Fraternity Housing
Flickr user bluephi.net
If the colleges you are looking at have Greek life, sororities, and fraternities, and you are interested in joining one, take a look at if they have specific Greek life houses for members to live in. Some colleges may have houses that are on campus for various Greek life organizations. However, they typically do not have houses available for every sorority or fraternity. Sorority and fraternity houses may look very different from campus to campus.
Off-Campus Housing
Different colleges have different requirements for how many years students must live on campus. Some colleges may require all four years, while others may not require students to live on campus at all. When deciding on which college you want to attend, look to the website or ask a tour guide about housing on-campus versus off-campus and where students typically like to live. If it is important that you live on campus during your college career, find colleges that have the availability for students to live on campus.
Apartments
Many colleges that have students who live off-campus may have online resources for apartments in the vicinity of the campus. Sharing an apartment with roommates may help to lower your rent cost and can help you stick to your budget. When looking at off-campus apartments, evaluate your means of transportation to make sure you can get to and from campus efficiently.
Houses
There may be houses for rent surrounding or near college campuses. This is typically found around campuses that aren’t located in a highly populated city. Campuses in suburban towns may have houses for rent which is a fun way to live with roommates and have your own space. You may even find a house with a great backyard for fun hangouts with friends.
Living at Home
If the college you are looking at is near where you live, living at home may be an option. This is a great way to save on rent costs, and you also save time by not having to move furniture or purchase new items when moving to college. If you’re on a tight budget, living at home may be beneficial to you to stay within your expense goal.
Take a look at each college’s website to see what type of housing options are available to you. Housing types and layouts vary from college to college. Above are some common types that may be seen frequently for on-campus and off-campus options.
We hope that answers your question about what types of student housing are available to students in college. For more information about searching for the best-fit college for you, check out College Raptor’s FREE College Match Tool!
