The 15 Best College Dorms That Are Nicer Than Your Apartment, Moving away from home for the first time is scary enough on its own, but throw in a cramped, rank, and dank dorm room you've got to share with someone else, and well, it's enough to make dampen anyone's excitement about college life. Our dorms have single rooms, doubles, triples, a couple quads, and 5- and 7-person suites. Supposedly the average dorm room size in the U.S. is around 130 square feet, and Scripps College likely has dorms bigger and smaller than this. Not only is the housing waterfront (! Regularly ranked one of the top national universities, as well as one of the best for undergraduate education, Washington University in St. Louis is a private research institution in St. Louis, MO. In some of the dorms, you'll find a grand piano in the common area (could be a blessing or a curse, depending on your hall mates), plus a kitchen and a tv room. Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Hall is one of ten residence halls on Scripps campus, and also the place where I live! Varsity sporting events are attended, but not a huge part of campus life. You can choose roommates if you know someone, but its recommended to allow the staff to place you. Mississippis land-grant public research university, Mississippi State University began as an agricultural college and experiment station in 1878. Featured. Featured Dorm: Worth Hills Village (Marion and Clark Halls). But that doesn't mean that's universally the casethere are actually a handful of campuses with dorms that feel more like palaces than haunted shoe boxes. Emory University is one of the nations most prestigious institutions, recognized as one of the Southern Ivies and ranked as one of the wealthiest universities in the world by endowment. Moregens Hall recently underwent at $35 million renovation, and the end result included kitchens inside each apartment, individual heating and air conditioning, and floor-to-ceiling windows. Loyola University Maryland is a highly-ranked Catholic university in Baltimore, MD, part of the prestigious Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. Colleges and universities are fighting to attract students, and one of the best ways to bring home the most wanted demographics is to be able to advertise the nicest housing in the business. You can search over 6,000 colleges and universities with 11 different filters to find theperfect school for you! Regularly ranked one of the top national universities in U.S. News & World Reports top tier, Texas Christian University dates back to 1869, when it was founded as a non-sectarian Christian college. As the area has grown, so has SSU, with more than 9000 students, to educate, house, and entertain. One of the most impressive success stories in American higher education, Arizona State University has seen an explosion in the 21st century from a regional public university to one of the most acclaimed, most innovative schools in the US. Since all freshmen are required to live on campus, Emory offers more options for first-year students, but Raoul Hall is a standout. Boston University is, quite simply, one of the most prestigious private research universities in the world, and a dominant institution in a city full of dominant institutions. Niche rankings are based on rigorous analysis of data and reviews. All Track Combined, Basketball, Golf, Lacrosse, Soccer, Softball, Swimming and Diving, Tennis, Track and Field: Outdoor, Track and Field: X-Country, Volleyball, WaterPolo, Campus Ministries, Dance, Drama/Theater, Film Society, International Student Organizations, Literary Magazine, Model UN, Newspaper, Radio Station, Student Government, Choral Groups, Concert Band, Jazz Band, Musical Theater, Music Ensembles, Symphony Orchestra. Campus living in the 21st century is likely to make parents jealous, remembering the dank, spartan rooms of their college years. Nearly half of SMU students participate in Greek life, and deep networks throughout Dallas and Texas ensure that students build a career from day 1. University of Dayton. Often recognized for having some of the best college dorms, High Point University dorms are something to write home about! For those who went to college a generation ago, residence life probably brings to mind cramped, gray dorm rooms, awkward interactions with over-stressed roommates, and institutionalized meals that tasted even worse than they looked. It was nearly 100 degrees, the sun was shining, and the grass was all green and lush. While Newmans accommodations are excellent, including 24-hour common area and fully-furnished suites, its dining where Newman really shines. Opened in 2013 after extensive renovations, Morgens was designed along with UCs commitment to sustainability, followed by its sister building, Scioto, in 2016. The first new dorm to be built at Bryn Mawr since 1969 is currently still known as the New Dorm, a 2015 construction connected with the Enid Cook Center also known as the Black Cultural Center. Few residence halls in the South can claim all of the amenities of Osprey Fountains, which offers perqs closer to a luxury hotel than a traditional dorm. WashU organizes students into one of its ten dorms. Nicknamed The Sponge, Simmons was, in fact, modeled on the humble sea sponge, and won numerous architectural awards for its originality and beauty and also been named Eyesore of the Month. The culture at Simmons is known for its innovativeness and collegiality; Simmons has its own constitution and governmental structure they like to call lounge style. Some of the best colleges dorms in America contribute to that loyalty. Two towers provide apartment-style housing or suite-style dormitory housing for upper-division students. It is very important that you fill this out and that you fill it out honestly so that you can be placed in a good housing situation. Dorms with more triples and doubles, like Clark and Toll, have more first years and sophomores. If so, this article is for you. I've spent time at most of the other dorms on Mudd, Pomona, and Pitzer and Scripps are definitely the cleanest and most interesting (though there are a couple really nice Pomona dorms with which you could make a good argument for interesting architecture). I'm giving a short tour of my Claremont Graduate University apartment! What are the best food options on campus? Fortunately, Pace was in the right place for it the island of Manhattan. Featured Dorms: Ivy House and Windsor Hall. Oberlin College offers traditional single and double rooms with a communal bathroom, but what really makes Oberlin special is the identity-based communities and language houses they offer students. Todays residence halls, students apartments, and academic villages make it easy for students to optimize their dorm life. Its one of the best college dorms imaginable. At Scripps, as in all the Claremont Colleges, students have a vivacious, active social life that overlaps across all of the 5Cs, but Scripps is particularly known for the quality and comfort of their residence life. Today, it doesnt matter if youre in a small college or a major university every institution is doing everything it can to attract and keep students. With comfort and plenty of space to socialize, High Point Universitys residence life is just one more reason for a stellar reputation. WashU organizes student housing sections by year, so underclassmen live on the south west side of the Danforth campus in one of its ten residences. High Point University has won national attention for its ultra-modern, swanky dorms, especially the Wanek Center and the University Center II. And with a high median income and low median rent to boot, it can be a great choice for new grads looking for a bustling town to start their career. Scripps College. IITs State Street Village provides students with an authentic Chicago experience, right down to the Green Line L train passing behind the building. Founded in 1852, Loyola is a Baltimore icon and a transformative force for education in the region. TCUs most recent dorms, opened in 2013, are Marion Hall and Clark Hall, both making up the Worth Hills Village. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the worlds foremost STEM research universities, known for its discoveries and developments in fields ranging from defence and oceanography to pioneering programs in artificial intelligence and open-source programming. Youll have to watch the CampusReel videos to see for sure. But people still like Kimberly because the most common set up is a single-bathroom . Community service, engagement, and service learning are also central to Brandeis student life and curriculum; some of the best college dorms in America are just icing on the cake. Ivy House is a women-only, while Windsor Hall is coed, but both are located just around the corner from sorority row and only a short walk from campus. Featured Dorm: Morgens Hall and Scioto Hall. Each room has a twin XL bed, a desk, a chair, and a . One of the Admission Ambassadors had a room right off the Rose Garden and I really liked it! Just there to bust up parties or give out parking tickets. With nearly 15,000 students, FGCU has been named in the top tier of regional universities, providing high-level education for the people of Florida. Named for Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice, Brandeis University was founded in 1948 to provide an Ivy League-quality institution for Jewish students, who were often barred from the more elite universities and liberal arts colleges. Numerous other living-learning communities, from Women in Computing to Golf Management, are transforming student life at Mississippi State with some of the best college dorms in the South. 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Founded in 1912 from the estate of William Marsh Rice (who wanted a free university founded in his name), Rice became known over the next century for its productivity and discoveries in applied sciences, from computer programming to artificial hearts. Not so good - Georgetown,UC Berkeley. Ranking the best college dorms may not make a lot of sense for people of a certain age. Union has also been named an up-and-coming college by U.S. News & World Report, and commended for its dedication to the highest quality of undergraduate education. Part of the world-renowned University of California system, and considered one of the Public Ivies, the University of California, Davis is one of Californias most beloved and popular schools. Osprey Fountains offers amenities such as a game room, library for studying, lounge with huge TVs, lap pool, lazy river, outdoor swings, and a putting green. There are even .css-1qproo8{-webkit-text-decoration:underline;text-decoration:underline;text-decoration-thickness:0.0625rem;text-decoration-color:#40699f;text-underline-offset:0.25rem;color:inherit;-webkit-transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;transition:all 0.3s ease-in-out;background-image:linear-gradient( to bottom, rgba(156,181,215,.2), rgba(156,181,215,.2));-webkit-background-position:0 100%;background-position:0 100%;background-repeat:repeat-x;-webkit-background-size:0 0;background-size:0 0;padding-top:0.05rem;padding-bottom:0.05rem;}.css-1qproo8:hover{color:#000000;text-decoration-color:border-link-body-hover;-webkit-background-size:0.625rem 3.125rem;background-size:0.625rem 3.125rem;}some college dorm rooms so nice, I'd happily trade in my NYC apartment for one. But let's save the probing questions for lecture. Residents have 24-hour fitness center, a rooftop pool and hot tub, game rooms and a theater room, and, most importantly, 24-7 on-call staff for any needs that come up. Some dorms offer substance-free housing and friendship suites (if you want to live with 2-5 other people for one whole semester). For much of its history, Bowdoin was primarily a liberal arts college for wealthy young men, but the decision to admit women in 1971 began a new era at Bowdoin. It worked out pretty well though, and my roommate Grace and I decided to room together our sophomore year too. Wood Hall is built to be a living and learning community, with meeting rooms, a sunny common area, and 174 rooms. High Point is unique in giving students access to some of the most inspiring entrepreneurs and innovators in the nation, in the setting of a small, supportive liberal arts college with the best dorms. The University of Houston is a major public research institution and the flagship of the UH system, made up of four universities. Campbell University was a small, little-known Baptist college for most of its history, but in the last two decades, this humble rural university has achieved national attention. Accommodations are comfortable, and include some interesting perks, from Sontags rooftop garden to Dialynas pull-down movie screen in the first floor lounge. Life at Fordhams junior and senior dorms Campbell, Salice, and Conley Halls is specifically oriented toward the needs of older students who are looking at their futures after graduation. If you're looking for other schools that offer high quality student dorms, check out the Find Your Perfect "U" tool. From resort-style pools, waterfront views, and game rooms to sand volleyball courts, hammocks, fire pits, and lakefront dining facilities, who wouldnt want to live here? We ask that you plan to arrive to campus during your designated move in time. Rooms have 10-foot ceilings, granite countertops, urban-style expose concrete, and even views of downtown Houston. Now you can people watch from the comfort of your desk. Brandeis is known for their intense and challenging education in fact, Brandeis has sometimes been called the most stressful college in American but it is also known for a close-knit, supportive student body. With 101 single rooms, the New Dorm provides housing for members of Bryn Mawrs cultural students groups: the Sisterhood (for African-American students), Mujeres (for Latinx students), BACaSO (for African and Caribbean students), and Zami (for LGBTQ students of color), and for any students who sympathize and support these groups. Based on housing cost, capacity, student reviews and additional factors. Most on-campus residence halls include singles, double, and suites. If you arrive to the area before your time we encourage you to explore the surrounding areas. In my first room, this is the bed-desk-dresser set up. Some houses offer soundproof walls, kitchens with dishwashers, bathtubs, and hardwood floors. TCU is also well known for its longtime rivalry with Dallas Southern Methodist University, and Wacos Baylor University, and for the loyalty of its students and alumni. | College Roommate Finder Testimonials How Roomsurf Works. The College Consensus method pulls together expert opinions for established publishers and reputable student reviews, and our ranking of the best college dorms in America puts all of it to use. As one of the Seven Sisters, Bryn Mawr has a traditional affiliation with the University of Pennsylvania, and has intentionally resisted coeducation, focusing instead on the empowerment of women in the science, professions, and leadership. Before starting at Scripps, each student fills out a housing survey about their living habits. Claremont McKenna College. Featured Dorms: Cuarto Area (Emerson, Thoreau, and Webster Halls). I was carrying all my bags and rolling my duffels, as my parents dragged a moving cart behind me. Floor plans vary from residence hall to residence hall. In the Village Residential Colleges for upperclassmen, students are ready for anything with music practice rooms, study spaces, and a community kitchen. Fordhams upper classmen have some exceptional options for living on-campus in a supportive, motivating atmosphere. Emory is home of Georgias largest healthcare system, and since its founding in 1836, Emory has built a reputation as one of the most productive research institutions globally. UT Austin located in the Texas capital, and Texas cultural center is also one of the largest universities in the US by student body (top 10), which creates a lot of need for housing. Arizona State is one of the nations largest universities, and students attend classes on five campuses throughout the greater Phoenix metropolitan area. San . We connected with each other so we kind of knew each other before arriving, but its definitely a transition to all of the sudden be living together. The names for the Villages are chosen to evoke old-world luxury and California Wine Country Beaujolais, Tuscany, Sauvignon, Cabernet, Verdot, and Zinfandel. Based on crimes on campus, local area crime rates, and student reviews. Plus, almost every room comes with its own mirror and sink (which is a total savior for your morning routine). With a focus on practical, applied science, educational rigor, and innovation, Illinois Tech became known for its research and development in areas like engineering, architecture, and business. High Point University has long been ranked the top regional college in the South, and U.S. News & World Report also calls HPU the most innovative college in the region. Privately owned by Trimark Properties, Ivy House and Windsor Hall are two of the most inviting, comfortable residence halls imaginable, and offered at rates comparable to UFs official student housing. Selecting a dorm is a huge part of your college experience. If youre looking for housing in Lower Manhattan, youre not likely to find anything nearly as luxurious as Paces Beekman Hall without some real connections. Each of the villages offers a unique environment for studying and socializing. Often recognized for having some of the best college dorms, High Point University dorms are something to write home about! They feel like a home to me, and as a bonus they all have air conditioning! With private courtyards, the Cuarto Area halls are the only ones on campus with pools, secure bike parking (a must in Davis), and their own convenience store, giving the Cuarto area the feeling of its own little village. Where do we sign up? At first glance, you might not be able to tell if the Scripps campus is a place of higher educationor a resort! WashU has state of the art modern dorms along with more traditional dorms. Anyway, it's as nice as it looks and fabulously gothic from the outside. The hall can accommodate 340 undergraduates. Located on South Campus, Hinton James is known for its spacious rooms and fantastic views of the surrounding area. I look forward to when I can be back on campus enjoying my room, studying in the browsing room, reading in the living room, relaxing in our courtyard, and hanging out with friends. UNF also has one of the top jazz music programs in the nation, but more importantly, the university is known for its deep and active commitment to the community both its community of 15,000 students, and to the people of Jacksonville, FL. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 1,095 (fall 2021), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 32 acres. If you're a little confused, same. Affiliated with the Tennessee Baptist Convention, Union is known for its commitment to improving the lives of students and the community. 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With well over 40,000 students, campus life at the University of Arizona is diverse and busy, and with 23 residence halls, UA works hard to keep students accommodated and comfortable. We have no housing divided by class year, so you get to meet and learn from all different class years. You'll definitely feel a little awkward if you don't drink. Depending upon the house you live in, you may have the luxury of enjoying a sunset or mountain view from a spacious patio, porch, or spacious second living room. . The 20 Best College Dorms in America The universities on this list offer students housing more akin to a palace than the cramped clich. One of the universitys most-loved halls is the Rawls-Eller Lodge, a 2-story building in the Historic District, near Greek Row. With advancements in technology and increased human desire for comfort, colleges have also learned to appreciate and go by the trends. Provides auto-suggestions when entering text. Claremont, CA 91711, Scripps College | Accessibility | Nondiscrimination Statement | Privacy, Housing at Scripps: Room Selection and Roommates, Accommodations for Students with Disabilities, Scripps College Survey Administration, Use, and Reporting Guidelines. Known as the college in a garden, Pomona College is famed for its beauty, as well as its approach to student life and housing, including some of the best college dorms in America. Only juniors and seniors are eligible to live in the Lofts. Read more about how we calculate our rankings. After the first year, each student can choose their roommate/s and room. A few select freshmen at Arcadia get to live in one of the most unique dorms in the world a literal castle. Based on access to bars and student reviews on the party scene. This college has a 99 percent acceptance rate and costs about . They will also take into account any housing accommodations you may have. There are very many factors to consider when choosing a college. (perfect for private sunbathing/reading), computer lab, and reading room. Davis is particularly known for its strong bike culture and city-wide outdoor activities, factors that bring students from across California and nationwide to one of the colleges with the nicest dorms. SMU is deeply involved in life in Dallas, one of the nations busiest cities for business, and is especially esteemed for its powerful student placement. Scripps College - Students at Scripps College often joke that they go to school at a resort and it's easy to see why. The building boast rooms much larger than the dormitories, with a pool and sundeck, full kitchen, and private bathrooms. View Scripps dorm reviews for Grace Scripps Clark Hall, Eleanor Joy Toll Hall, Ellen Browning Hall and all freshmen and college dorms at Scripps College. 5 Signs It's Time To Break Up With Your Roommate, Replacement Made Easy: Top Tips for Subletting Your Space This Summer, How to Live With Outgoing Roommates as an Introvert. As a top-tier research institution, BU is known for its excellence in medicine, engineering, education, and business, especially economics. From this pool of schools our editors selected those we thought had the nicest dorms and ordered them by their College Consensus score. Many residence halls today offer live-in counselors for student support and mental health, a value that cant be ignored in this era of anxiety and stress. At Pomona College, many of the dorm rooms have AC (some of us, like yours truly, were stuck with hand-held fans) and a whole lot of space. Classified as a top-tier research institution by the Carnegie Foundation, UA is also known for its space and aeronautics research, but the Eller College of Business is UAs main claim to fame. Hundreds of on-campus clubs, a vibrant Greek Life (as many as 10% of students are fraternity or sorority members), and all the city life Chicago has to offer brings students to UChicago, one of the colleges with the best dorms. The founding member of the Claremont Colleges consortium some of the nations most prestigious liberal arts colleges, concentrated in Claremont, CA Pomona College was modeled on the classic New England liberal arts college, bringing that tradition to California. It's all a ruse. With a highly competitive, highly motivated campus culture built around 150 year old traditions, nerdy interests, and a notorious pranking culture (which originated the modern meaning of hack), MIT is the dream school of many thousands of students, and one of the colleges with the best dorms. Founded in 1924 as a Methodist college, High Point University has made its name on entrepreneurship and innovation, with a long list of esteemed faculty and speakers, including Steve Wozniak as an Innovator in Residence. Its definitely bittersweet, but I thought Id take this opportunity to talk about how housing works at Scripps. Located in the heart of Californias wine country, Sonoma State University was founded in 1960 to meet the growing education needs of the region, which had previously been rural and sparsely populated. Campus was flooded with new students, moving boxes, and more. As such, UC has played a critical role in Cincinnatis growth, educating generation after generation of Cincinnatis leaders, professionals, artists, and educators. Some dorms offer dance studios, dining halls, and game rooms. What is the biggest party event of the year? There are no cell phones, no laptops, and no running water, but there is the beautiful Lake Massawepie and the inspiring Adirondack Mountains. Southern Methodist University.