On-Campus Housing and Dining Expenses: 9 Things to Know

Living on campus is exciting (sharing space with new people), frustrating (dealing with noise and distractions), and inspiring (gaining new skills for getting along with others and stepping up to new responsibilities). But like many college expenses, the costs of on-campus living can add up. Here are nine key things to know about on-campus housing and dining expenses.

1. What is room and board? 

The term room and board refers to how much a student pays for housing and meals in college. Like tuition, these costs vary from college to college. Room and board are typically listed separately from tuition and expenses. 

2. What does room and board cover? 

When you hear the term room and board, think of room as your dorm room or housing, including your bed, desk, heat, utilities, and Wi-Fi, and board as your meal plan, which can vary from school to school.

3. What comes in a dorm room? 

Typical dorm rooms are furnished with a bed, desk, chair, and lamp supplied by the college. Some rooms already have a small refrigerator and/or microwave. If not, check whether students are allowed to bring them.

First-time dorm room residents will need to bring a lot of stuff. For starters, students supply their own bed linens. Keep this checklist handy for ideas to make your dorm feel like home. 

4. What’s a meal plan? 

Almost all universities and colleges require first-year students to sign up for a meal plan, also called a dining plan. Students get access to dining services on campus, from coffee carts to dining halls, via prepaid accounts. Usually, a student swipes a preloaded card to pay for each purchase.

Costs vary depending on the type of meal plan students select in advance, and some plans can be pricey. Whichever meal plan you choose, you’ll have access to a variety of convenient and healthy choices, from burgers to salads to vegan fare.

5. Why on-campus housing and dining can benefit first-year students.

Typically, first-year college students find it easier to make connections and gain newfound independence living on campus. That’s because dorm life and meal plans lessen the stress of daily living, like commuting, paying rent and bills, and shopping for and preparing meals. Many colleges and universities suggest that, for first-year students especially, these advantages are well worth the extra expense of on-campus housing and dining.

6. Housing and dining at private colleges and universities can be pricey. 

The dollar amount you can expect to pay for college tuition, housing, and dining varies, so check out specific numbers on the College Costs profile page or the school’s website under financial aid or admissions.

Different schools will charge differently for campus housing and dining, and typically private colleges and universities will charge more than public ones. Regardless of where you enroll, these two expenses are typically a large chunk of what a first-year student will need to pay in addition to tuition.

7. Most schools provide free or discounted housing to resident advisors (RAs). 

Consider serving as a resident advisor (RA). Most schools offer free or discounted housing and dining to resident advisors (RAs) as part of their compensation for the job. 

8. Many scholarships cover education-related expenses. 

On-campus housing and dining are education-related expenses—a large chunk of them, for that matter. It’s acceptable to use scholarship funds to cover them if your scholarship allows. Just be sure to check the rules for your scholarship award before you budget.

9. Be mindful about spending student loan funds on food or housing. 

Remember, you need to pay back your loans. Because any student loan money you spend will have to be paid back with interest eventually, think twice about whether paying for food and housing with loans is the best use of these funds. 

Learn more about the basics of paying for college and start planning your future.