Living On Campus vs. Off Campus: Pros, Cons, and Everything in Between

Decision Day has come and gone, but it’s far from the last big choice you’ll face in college. From first-year students to upperclassmen, weighing between living on campus vs. off campus can be a hard choice. There are pros and cons to each, and several important factors to consider before taking the leap. We’ll take a closer look at all of them with you below. 

In this article: 

• Can I live in off-campus housing?
• Pros and cons of on-campus housing 
• Pros and cons of off-campus housing
• 5 things to consider before deciding 
• What should I choose? 
• FAQs

Can I live in off-campus housing? 

Before considering off-campus living, make sure it’s actually an option. Many schools require first-year students to live on campus, and some even require it of all students. There are typically a few exemptions to these rules, but you’ll need to check your school’s website to see what their guidelines are. 

On the other hand, some smaller colleges or online universities may not offer on-campus housing at all. So if you’re set on moving out of your childhood home, you’ll want to look for off-campus housing. 

Pros and cons of on-campus housing

Whether you’re required to live on campus or just not ready to take on renting for the first time, on-campus housing is still a great option. We’ll talk about the upsides and the downsides to help you prepare for the year so you can make the best choice between living on campus vs. off campus. 

Pros 

• Proximity and convenience: Living on campus means you’re right in the middle of everything. From classes to extracurriculars, the whole college is at your doorstep.
• Campus amenities: Libraries, gyms, study lounges, cafeterias, and more are much easier to access when you’re living on campus vs. off campus. 
• Easy to meet people: Living in a community like a dorm or campus apartment gives you more opportunity to meet other students. Some of those friendships can even turn into future roommates when the time comes to move off campus. 
• Simplicity: Many schools include the cost of utilities, Wi-Fi, laundry, and more in the total cost of room and board, and payments are often one and done. 

Cons 

• Can be expensive: The average cost of room and board at a 4-year college is $12,986 annually, which doesn’t include the added expense of a dining plan. 
• Little privacy: With small rooms and communal bathrooms, there is little opportunity for a moment alone in the dorms. Unless you’re able to get a single, you might also have multiple roommates sharing your space. 
• Noisy and harder to focus: Dorms are great for socializing, but it can be hard to focus among activities or noisy neighbors. Quiet hours help, but a neighbor who doesn’t have an exam the next day might not be as concerned with their loud music as you are.
• Less choices on housing: Lots of universities, especially larger ones, use a lottery system to assign housing. You might have your heart set on the newly renovated dorm, but you could end up with a random assignment that wasn’t on your wish list. 
• Roommates: While you might get lucky and find someone that matches your lifestyle and personality, the wrong roommate can throw a wrench in your college experience. Avoid the random-roommate lottery and ask lots of questions to make the right choice. 

Pros and cons of off-campus housing 

Living off campus is a great first step towards independence and learning how to rent your own home, but it can also be a lot to manage. Before deciding between living on campus vs. off campus, consider the pros and cons carefully to determine whether this is the right choice for you while navigating college. 

Pros 

• More housing options: There are lots of different types of rental properties that could work for you depending on location or roommates. Use Redfin.com to search for housing with filters for number of rooms, ideal price range, and more. 
• Can be less expensive: You can create your own budget rather than pay the fixed costs and meal plans of most on-campus housing. Roommates can also help split costs. 
• Independence: Less supervision or campus rules means more freedom to enjoy your space. You might even be able to use your favorite candles or paint a wall. 
• More space: Depending on the type of rental you choose, you could have a kitchen or even a living room space to spread out or host your friends for study parties. 
• More privacy: Having a little privacy goes a long way, and getting the bathroom to yourself or even having a door between your room and the rest of your rental space can do wonders for both your comfort and concentration. 

Cons 

• Increased responsibility: You’ll have a lot more to manage on your own with off-campus living. Paying rent and utilities on time, managing groceries and cooking, and keeping your living space clean are all part of your responsibility as a renter. 
• Can feel more expensive upfront: Most rentals require first and last month’s rent and a security deposit when you sign your lease. In addition to furniture, textbooks, and tuition, this can feel like a lot, and might require a smaller budget for a little while. 
• Commuting to campus: Depending on how far away your off-campus rental is, you might need to consider an increase in your commute time and cost. 
• Difficulty finding housing: Off-campus housing can fill up quickly, so timing your search right is key to securing a rental before the school year starts.
• Can feel isolating: Being away from campus can make your friends and campus life seem harder to access. Keeping your college experience enjoyable and sociable might require a bit more effort. 

5 things to think about before deciding 

There are a few things to consider before you jump into off-campus life. Each one will help you narrow down your search window and help you make the final decision between living on campus vs. living off campus. 

1. Roommates

Choosing a roommate is one of the biggest decisions you’ll make in college, and that decision becomes even more critical when you sign a lease together. Having one or multiple roommates is a great way to cut costs as well as have in-house support through your college years. However, you’ll want to make sure your friends are compatible with your lifestyle, as well as reliable for paying rent on time. 

2. Budget 

Whether you’re working your way through school, using student loans, or getting help from home, creating a detailed budget for rent will set you up for an easy off-campus living experience. Even if you decide to live on campus, keeping to a budget and tracking expenses will help prepare you for buying a home in the future. Roommates can help you cut costs, and having a co-signer or a guarantor to back you up on the lease will encourage landlords to accept your applications. 

3. Lifestyle and priorities

You know yourself best, and choosing between living on campus vs. off-campus is a personal decision. Check in with your top priorities and how well each housing option balances with your courses. Weigh your wants against your needs to find the best middle ground that will work for you. 

4. Transportation

If you want to live off campus, you’ll need to consider how you’ll get to class. The farther away your rental is from campus, the more you’ll likely need to budget for transportation. Some rentals require payment for parking a car, and gas can get costly if you’re driving back and forth a lot. Public transportation, where available, is typically the cheaper option, and some schools even have free student passes for local transit. 

>> Read more: The 10 U.S. Cities With the Best Public Transportation

5. Flexibility

Some landlords will be willing to offer a shorter term lease to fit the academic schedule, but most typically last a year. If you’re planning to stay near campus for work or summer courses, a 12-month lease might be convenient. You may even be able to renew your lease for another year and avoid the yearly college moving cycle. For those wanting to return home and save on rent over the summer, ask prospective landlords about lease lengths, or subletting and subleasing options. With a subletter or subleaser, you can avoid moving all of your furniture and return to the same rental once the school year starts up again. 

Living on campus vs. off campus: Which should I choose? 

Making a choice between living on campus vs. off campus is not one to make lightly. There are pros and cons to each, and lots of things to consider. The most important thing to think about is what will be best for you. Luckily, there is no right or wrong way to have the college experience. No matter which choice you make, it will be uniquely yours. 

FAQs about living on campus vs. off campus

Is it cheaper to live on campus or off campus? 

The cost of living on campus vs. off campus is highly dependent on school, location, and lifestyle. For example, a university in a city with a high cost of living might have cheaper on-campus options, but a stricter budget or multiple roommates can offset the cost of rent to make off-campus housing a more attractive option. 

Can financial aid pay for off-campus housing? 

Yes, financial aid can pay for off-campus housing. Cost of living is factored into a school’s estimated Cost of Attendance (COA). After tuition and other fees have been paid, your school will disburse the remaining amount as a direct deposit or check to go towards your off-campus housing costs. 

Can student loans pay for off-campus housing? 

Yes, student loans can pay for off-campus housing. Student loans are a type of financial aid, and follow a similar process to what we’ve mentioned above. However, student loans are expected to be paid back with interest, so be sure to budget carefully. 

How much is the average rent? 

The average rent in the U.S. is $1,785 per month, but can vary by city. A hub like San Francisco, CA, can see upwards of $3,000 per month, whereas a smaller town like Wichita, KS, could see sub $1,000 prices. This variation is largely due to location and the broader economy of a city. 

Can I get a lease that is less than a full year? 

Yes, you can get a lease that is less than a full year if you don’t want to live in your rental outside of the academic year. You can ask about short-term leases or month-to-month rental agreements. When considering a month-to-month lease, be aware that it’s a two way street: while you can terminate your lease at any time with the proper notice, so can your landlord. 

>>Read more: Can a Landlord Break a Lease Early? 

Can I still be involved at school if I live off campus? 

Yes, you can absolutely still be involved at school if you live off campus. Even though your school may not be right outside your door, you can still participate in campus activities, use most campus amenities, and, of course, go to class. You might just need to make a more conscious effort to be on campus more often if you don’t live there.

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