Do Community Colleges Have Dorms?
When we think about going to college, we often think about dorm life: a new roommate, dining halls, ivy-covered buildings, and all the newness of being a college freshman. For students who attend a community college rather than a 4-year college or university, the idea of dorm life is usually placed on hold.
To clarify, community colleges (sometimes called “junior colleges” or “technical colleges,” depending on your region) are public institutions offering certificates, applied associate degrees, and transferable associate degrees to students who live within the community college’s district. Community colleges are typically a local, lower-cost option for higher education. Also, they are often the only or best option for specific hands-on or technical degrees that do not require a 4-year bachelor’s degree.
Click to learn more about community colleges and 4-year colleges or trade or technical schools.
Now, back to the subject of dorms, and specifically those at a community college, we'll answer the question that brought you here and then share all you need to know about student housing and dormitories themselves.
What are dorms?
A dorm, more formally known as a dormitory or residence hall, is a college campus building designed to provide students housing. Basically, dorms are housing options for students who will be living on campus. Depending on the college, they range from quite minimalist design to almost luxurious.
Dorms can be gender specific, gender inclusive, co-ed by floor, co-ed by wing, or any other combination a school sees need to provide. Dorms can also be centered around a specific major, such as an engineering or business dorm. In these cases, they are sometimes called a “living/learning community.” Dorms can also center around a theme or special interest, such as “the arts,” or even an “honors” or “athletes” dorm.
How much does a college dorm cost per month?
The cost of a college dorm room varies by college and is usually given as the cost of “room and board,” meaning the cost of staying in the dorm and its accompanying meal plan. According to the Education Data Initiative, the average cost of room and board in the US is $12,986 for the academic year, or $1,443 per month, given a 9-month academic year.
Some college students prefer to live in an off-campus apartment (if/when allowed by a college’s housing policy). This can cost less than living in a dorm, but that depends on many factors. While the monthly cost may be cheaper, it’s important to remember that apartments usually require 12 months of payments, not 9, and that you must pay for food and possibly utilities separately.
Housing availability in some college towns is also limited, so these places tend to have higher housing costs, especially off campus.
How big are dorm rooms?
The size of dorm rooms varies widely depending on the colleges you’re considering. Not only does dorm size vary from college to college, but they also vary from one residence hall to another on the same campus. The average size of a dorm room in the US is 12’x18’, or 130 to 150 square feet.
Generally speaking, dorm rooms are offered as singles, doubles, or suites, with the size of the room being dependent on how many occupants will live there. When colleges face housing shortages, they will often turn a single into a double, and a double into a triple, making space even tighter.
The layout of a room can also affect how big a space feels, such as the placement of closets, windows, and beds. Finally, the roommates you live with can significantly impact how big a space feels and your overall on-campus housing experience.
What do college dorms look like?
Dormitory buildings are often styled like the other buildings on a college campus. Some look like castles or mansions, others like basic apartment buildings. Some are very modern, both in and out, while others are older or dated.
Dorm rooms come in many shapes and sizes, some with attached bathrooms and others with communal bathrooms down the hall. Usually, a dorm room provides a bed, a closet, a desk, and maybe a dresser for each occupant.
How you decide to decorate your dorm room is up to you (and possibly your roommate). There is a whole industry centered around creating designer dorm rooms, which is great for Instagram but unnecessary when you consider how little time you will actually spend in your room. Bedding, some fairy lights and/or a poster or two are plenty to make the small space your own.
Can I cook in my dorm room?
Many colleges allow students to have a microwave in their dorm room, but there are still several schools where only the microwave in the student lounge is allowed. Colleges may also allow students to have coffee makers in their rooms. The usual rule of thumb is that any cooking appliance with an open or visible heating element is not allowed (like a toaster, panini maker, candles, etc…).
Most colleges allow or even provide a mini refrigerator in dorm rooms. Further, if more extensive cooking is desired, residence halls often have a full kitchen available to students in the basement of the building.
Am I allowed to bring my pet to the dorm?
This varies state-by-state, law-by-law. Generally, pets are not allowed in a dorm room, with the exception of service animals and documented/licensed emotional support animals or therapy animals. If you have the right to bring your pet, warn your roommate ahead of time in case allergies need to be considered and changes need to be made.
Do all colleges have dorms?
The quick answer is “no,” but it’s a little more complex than that. Most 4-year colleges and universities offer some type of housing. Outside of online-only colleges, it’s difficult to find a 4-year college that doesn’t provide a residential option, although some without housing do exist, and others offer only limited housing.
Conversely, the majority of community colleges do not offer housing. Approximately 28% of community colleges offer some housing, and it is often limited. Currently, 37 states plus the District of Columbia have at least one community college offering on-campus housing. Some of those 37 states have multiple community colleges with housing options.
You might wonder why someone would want housing at a community college if one of the perks of community college is to live at home and save money. Here are just a few reasons:
- Housing insecurity or challenges finding affordable options.
- The desired program of study is offered at a community college a distance away from the student’s home district.
- To experience a more traditional “college life” without the price tag of a 4-year college.
- Recruited athletes may need housing if they are recruited to play at a community college away from their home district.
If a community college you’re interested in does not offer housing, but one of the above reasons or another circumstance applies to you, speak to someone at the community college. Agreements are often in place with local apartment complexes or other entities to allow athletes or other students a place to live.
How to find community colleges with campus housing options
To find out if your local community college offers housing, you can:
Check their website
Search "Campus Housing" or "Residence Life": Most colleges list housing information under student services or campus life on their website.
FAQ Section: Look for FAQs or student resources pages, which often address housing options.
Contact the Admissions Office
Call or email the college’s admissions or student services office. They can confirm whether on-campus housing is available or recommend nearby options.
Ask your high school counselors
High school counselors often have information on nearby community college housing options.
One final thought on dorms…
Living on a college campus is a wonderful opportunity to gain independence while still in the routine of being a student. Although your dorm living space is essential, it should be of lower priority when compared to making sure a college has everything else you need. Programs of study, student life, school size, location, and other factors should outweigh the look and size of a freshman dorm.
Find your perfect college—with or without dorms
Looking for a college that offers on-campus housing? Or maybe you’re comparing options to find the best fit for your needs. Our college search database makes it easy to explore schools, see which ones offer dorms, and compare your top choices side by side.
Start your search today and find the college that feels like home.
