Main image courtesy of One Class.

Each year of college you’re faced with a lot of choices to make. You’ll need to decide on your course load, whether or not you can fit a job into your schedule, and where you should live. Schools typically offer students two options when it comes to living arrangements, either on or off campus. If you’re a first year student just starting your college career, you may find that your school requires you to live on campus—and there are so many good reasons for that!

However if you’re in your second, third, or fourth year you’ll have the option of either continuing to live on campus or moving to an off campus apartment. But how do you know which place is right for you? What are the pros and cons of living either on campus or off campus?

Glad you asked, because in this guide we’re going to discuss:

• Whether it’s better to live on or off campus
• The pros and cons of living on campus
• The pros and cons of living off campus

Is it better living on or off campus?

How do you know which option is best for you?

While there are many pros and cons to living both on and off campus (more on that below) you should understand that only you can decide which is right for you. If you’re a freshman and your school does not require you to live on campus, you may still want to consider doing so. Because this is your first year, chances are high you don’t know many people (if any) and you’re not familiar with the campus. Living in a dorm on campus is a great way to get to know your fellow classmates. Plus you’ll have convenient access to everything you need academically as well as socially.

If you’re an upperclassman, we recommend taking some time to really think about this. You’re the only one who can decide whether or not it’s better if you live on or off campus. Because this is a personal decision, there is no wrong answer here, and one is not better than the other. Just because you’ve already experienced living in a dorm doesn’t mean you can’t continue to enjoy it! Alternatively, if you’d like to try out a new experience, perhaps moving off campus is right up your alley. When it comes down to it, only you can decide that living on or off campus is better and more suited to your particular situation. 

On campus living: is it right for you?

Living on campus means you’re always at the center of everything your school offers. Image courtesy of Grown & Flown. 

If you’re thinking about staying on campus, there are many reasons why this is a great move! However, we’ve also listed some of the cons of on campus living, just so you have a well-rounded understanding of what to expect. 

Pros of on campus living

1. Community and atmosphere

When you choose to live on campus, you’re right in the middle of everything. This is what the college experience is all about! When you live in a dorm, you develop a feeling of camaraderie with your fellow students, since you’re all living together on campus. Living on campus makes it easy to participate in everything that’s going on, whether it’s a student pep rally, a game, or attending a concert or performance. Everywhere you go you’re immersed in the community and atmosphere that is your college! In addition, you’ll have professional staff and security available to you should you need them in case of an emergency or if you happen to fall ill.

2. Social life

Because you’re all living together in a community, it’s also easier to make friends and have a vibrant social life. There is always something to do on campus, and you’ll know about it when you live there. Living with a roommate is a great way to be introduced to new people, but you’ll also find that living in a dorm gives you the opportunity to meet other people who live on your floor or in your building. Dorm life is busy, and people are always dropping in for a quick chat or to hang out. Making new friends is easier when you’re all living on campus and in the same location.

3. Proximity

Living on campus means that you’re just 10 minutes (more or less!) away from your classes. This means that if you want, you can roll out of bed and still make it to class on time! However you can also choose to get ready before class and enjoy a lovely stroll to your building. Because you’re so close to your classes, this gives you plenty of time to enjoy a cup of coffee in your dorm in the morning, or stop by the dining hall for breakfast or lunch later in the day. 

4. Financial savings

Staying on campus allows you to make one payment to your tuition, room, and board. This means you don’t have to worry about buying groceries, and you certainly don’t need to think about commuting costs since you can walk everywhere or use a shuttle transportation service. Besides having minimal cleaning supplies to keep your dorm room clean, you won’t have to spend money on items to clean up a bathroom or a kitchen. 

Cons of on campus living

1. Cost can be higher

Although it’s convenient to make one payment to your tuition, room, and board, this can add up to more than it would cost to rent an off campus apartment.  Plus, when you live on campus, this typically requires that you sign up for a meal plan. If you don’t use all your meals each week, you could be wasting money. 

2. Lack of privacy

This is one of the most difficult adjustments to make when you’re living on campus, especially if it’s your first year. Living in close quarters with a roommate means you’ll have much less privacy than if you have your own room. There are constantly people going in and out of the dorm, which can make it hard to find some alone time. Sometimes it can feel like you just can’t get away from other students and this can make you feel a little cramped. The communal bathroom is another place where you’ll have less privacy as you’ll typically share a bathroom and showers for your section of the floor. 

3. Distracting

Because there is a constant buzz in the dorm, it can make it hard to study. There is always something going on, and with your friends around you all the time, it can make it hard to concentrate on school work. In order to prevent your grades from slipping, it might be helpful to find another place besides the dorm to get your studying done. 

4. Small spaces

Living on campus means you’ll need to be okay with a small space. Not only is your space going to be small, you’re going to share it with at least one roommate. This means you’ll need to prioritize what you bring with you each year. While this isn’t too difficult to do, it does take a little planning! If you get a little creative with your storage ideas and only keep to what you need for each season, you should be able to make due. Having over the door storage can really help!

5. Rules

While you’re living on campus in a dorm, you’re going to have some rules. While most dorm rules are very reasonable, such as no alcohol, no smoking, and quiet hours, other schools may enforce the rule that the opposite sex must be out of the dorm by a certain time. While a lot of students have no problem with these rules, others may crave more independence that’s offered from off campus living. 

Off campus living

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Now that you’re aware of the pros and cons of on campus living, it’s time to delve a little deeper into what some of the pros and cons are of living off campus! 

Pros of off campus living

1. Can choose your space and your roommates

When you decide to live off campus, you have full control over where you decide to live, and with whom you decide to live with. When you’re on campus, you only have so many options when it comes to dorm space. Living off campus you can choose to get a studio, one, two, or three bedroom apartment. You can also choose to rent out a whole house if you have enough people and there are good properties available. You also get to pick who you live with, and you don’t have to share a room! Everyone gets their own, or if you decide to live alone, you get the entire space to yourself. 

2. More independence

Living off campus means you don’t have to follow the rules of the school. Although you’ll need to respect the rules of your landlord or leasing company, typically they just don’t want you to damage or alter the property. They could probably care less about what you choose to do in your spare time, giving you the freedom you missed when you lived on campus. Having a space off campus also gives you a taste of what it’s like to be a mature adult making your way in the world!

3. Privacy

With an apartment or a house, you’re going to have your own room. That means if you want to shut the door and get work done, you can and no one is going to distract you. You’ll have a bathroom that is either used only by you, or your roommates.

4. Flexibility

Having an off campus apartment may make it easier to have a part time job that you can commute back and forth from. You also aren’t required to leave during the break between semesters or for the summer. Apartments are typically rented for the entire year, not just the academic year. 

Cons of off campus living

1. Commuting and parking

Being away from campus means you’re going to commute. Whether you do this by car, bike, or bus, you’ve got to figure this into your routine each day to attend class. Don’t forget about parking too if you drive, as most campus parking lots are far from campus buildings. Having a commute means you’ll need to factor in gas for your car or the cost of public transportation. 

2. Away from the community

Staying off campus also means you’re further away from the college community, which can lead to a sense of isolation. You’re no longer at the heart of your college, and there’s plenty going on that you might not even be aware of. This might limit your social opportunities now that you’re living outside the college campus bubble. 

3. Extra costs

Although the rent may be lower than room and board on campus, you’ll need to consider extra costs living off campus. This means electricity, wifi, food, transportation, etc., are all in addition to your monthly rent.

4. Harder to study

Being away from the campus might also make it harder to study. When you’re no longer just a few minutes away from class, you may also find yourself skipping class more, which is never a good idea! Off campus apartments and houses are removed from the college experience, and you may have to work a little harder to meet those study groups or get yourself to the library for research. 

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Those are our top pros and cons for living both on and off campus. Remember, it’s up to you to consider your situation and decide which is best for you. One is not better than the other, so maybe consider trying out both and see which one you like more!