Why is living on campus so expensive

Certain majors like engineering, nursing, and business can end up costing more than other programs. If you choose a school in an area with a cheaper cost of living, you could dramatically lower your education costs and reduce how much you need to take out in student loans. Some schools require students to live on campus especially freshmen , but not all do. But say you moved off campus and found a three-bedroom apartment. Bureau of Labor Statistics. Room and board is one of your biggest education costs.

Whether you decide to live in the dorms or an off-campus apartment, some of your options to pay for your housing and meals include scholarships , grants , and federal student loans.

If you need additional money to cover the total cost of attendance of your program, private student loans could help fill the gap so you can focus on finishing your degree. By enrolling at the University of the People, you can earn your degree in one of four subjects.

Choosing between on campus vs off campus living is a highly subjective decision. If you instead decide to enroll in an online university, then you will live off campus by default. You can still communicate with and meet peers from your online classes. In fact, you may even choose to live together with someone else who is a part of the same program.

Where you live is just one part of going to college, but it is definitely something important to consider seriously. Apply Now. Request Info. Ask a student. UoPeople Arabic. Business Administration. Master's Degree MBA. Bachelor's Degree. Associate's Degree. Computer Science. Health Science. Master of Education M.

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Global Network. Career Development. Life After Graduation. Student Life. Program Advising. Virtual Tour. Transfer Credits. English Proficiency. How to Apply. Prepare for University. Foundation Courses. First Courses Prep. The American Education System. If you have the option to live with family or friends and not pay rent at all or just pay a very small amount , you can drastically reduce the cost of your college education.

Meal plans provide you three certain meals a day, but you might be paying for more than you actually eat. If you never make it to the cafeteria in time for breakfast, then you're paying for an extra meal every day of the week. You may also find that the meals don't appeal to your tastes or your needs, especially if you have special dietary requirements — so you buy food at the grocery store or go out to eat anyway.

Be honest about your habits, and research your options. Some schools allow you to do partial meal plans — like just lunch or meals only during weekdays. At many colleges, you cannot continue living in the dorm during school breaks or during the summer. If you're not planning to live at home during those breaks for instance, if you have a local internship or job , you'll need to find short-term housing, which can sometimes be more expensive or difficult to find than longer-term housing.

Everyone's situation is unique. Research the factors above and determine what's most cost-effective for you. But don't forget to consider non-financial factors as well. Some students choose on-campus housing because they don't want the hassle of looking for an apartment or because they want to be in the middle of all the social opportunities that college can offer.

And some students choose off-campus housing because they like to have their own quiet space away from the activity of dorm life. There are students who just don't feel ready for the responsibility of paying their own rent or dealing with a landlord. In fact, some schools require students, especially freshman, to live on campus. And some schools provide on-campus options that are more like apartments. Consider your options carefully, and remember that those college costs will turn into student loan payments in just a few years.

And if you're trying to fill last minute funding gaps for college, our free guide has you covered. Published in: How to Pay for College. Katie Taylor is a content writer and editor with expertise in law and policy, finance, and entrepreneurship. She writes for startups and small businesses about everything from bookkeeping to telecom. She is continuing to pay off law school loans and lives in Richmond, Vermont with her wife, son, and an unruly dog.

Read more by Katie Taylor. View Disclosure. See Examples. Disclaimer: The information obtained throughout the Nitro site is intended to be used for educational purposes only. However, you may be able to save by choosing a plan with only two meals a day or one that has more limited dining options. You may also consider purchasing breakfast foods at a convenience store and storing them in your room to save money. Additionally, you can purchase a meal plan that only includes lunches on campus, which may save you money.

In many cases, it is easier to live on campus because you can spend most of your time focused on your schoolwork. It's also generally a good idea to live on campus your first year because it will help you form friendships, and it is easier to adjust to college life that way. But if you are paying for school by yourself, you may need to choose the most inexpensive option.

If you are working while attending school , your job may influence where you live and what type of meal plan will work the best for you. The costs may be close enough that you can make the decision based on convenience. You can continue to look for other ways to save while in school.

These savings can be as simple as only buying clothes when there is a good sale or opting not to have a car and opt for a bike and public transportation. Services like Uber or car-sharing make it easier to do your shopping off-campus even without a car, and you will often spend less than you would spend to maintain your car. All of these options can help stop you from making financial mistakes while you are in college. Actively scan device characteristics for identification.

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