Best college Dorms: what colleges have the best dorms? I believe that every college student that intends to live in the college dorm will be asking this same question.
So relax, who won’t want to stay in the best college dorm rooms available on campus. I certainly will opt for the offer.
Getting away from home for the first time is scary enough on its own, but add in a cramped, untidy, dank dorm room you have to share with someone else, and well, that’s enough to quell anyone’s excitement about college life.
But that doesn’t mean that’s the case everywhere — there are actually a handful of campuses with dormitories that look more like palaces than haunted shoeboxes.
There are even dormitories that are so beautiful I would gladly trade my New York apartment for one.
Whether you’re curious about how your kids live on campus these days, you’re a proud alum hoping to get your homemade alum cut, or you’re just starting the college admissions process, you’ll want our list of the 41+ Best college Dorm rooms this 2022 academic session.
From pools and aquariums to housekeeping, these are the best college dorms in USA (at least when it comes to college housing).
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What’s Driving the Luxury Trend in Student Housing?
There are several factors for this, the most important of which being pure competition.
Colleges and universities are competing to attract students, and one of the best ways to attract the most desirable demographics is to be able to market the best housing in the industry.
Simply put, the college with the best dorms attracts a greater number of students. Consumer demands are accompanied by competition.
College is more expensive than ever before, and parents and students rightly demand greater value for their money. For some, that means round-the-clock security and staff; for others, it means a lazy river and a game area.
However, in many situations, the amenities provided by the top college dorms make life easier for students.
Many resident halls now include live-in counselors for student assistance and mental health, which is an invaluable resource in this age of anxiety and stress.
Colleges with the greatest dorms may offer on-site tutoring or even a living-learning community where students in the same programs encourage one another.
Fitness facilities, fresh, healthy food, and privacy all have a significant and measurable impact on student performance and well-being.
As a result, the best college dorms are more than a luxury — they’re an investment in students.
If you attend High Point University and live in one of the university’s many residences and apartment halls, you are most certainly living in the top dorm in the country.
According to a website that ranks schools, Niche., The best college dorms were chosen by Niche based on a variety of criteria, including housing cost, housing capacity, and student housing crime rate. Niche also strongly valued student ratings, which were based on user feedback.
Nine of the top 15 institutions were Christian colleges, with the remaining 13 being private. These institutions’ distinguishing features included fully rebuilt residence halls, private toilets, full-sized kitchens, and even private rooms.
What to Expect From College Dorm Life As a Freshman
For freshmen all throughout the world, starting college may be a difficult experience. It will not only be your first time living away from home, but it may also be your first experience sharing a room or living space with someone else and taking on new responsibilities.
Living with somebody you don’t know might be intimidating. What if you and your roommate butthead each other? What if he or she leads a contradictory life?
Needless to say, dorm life is one of the most stressful aspects of college that freshmen endure each year.
If you’ve ever shared a room with a sibling at home, you’re probably used to compromise and dealing with not always having your own personal space.
Those who have never had to share a room with another person, especially a stranger, may find it extremely tough at first.
It may take some time to acclimate and become comfortable, but don’t worry – when done correctly, dorm life can be a really memorable aspect of the college experience!
Before you begin college, you will be told of all of your new roommates (s). It’s a good idea to reach out to them before moving in for your first quarter to make transitioning to dorm life simpler.
This way, you’ll get to know one other a little better before the meeting, learning about each other’s interests, personalities, likes and dislikes, lifestyles, and more.
In addition to introducing yourself, it’s a good idea to develop a level of familiarity with your roommates and set basic ground rules to follow so that there’s no extra drama later on.
For example, in consideration of other roommates, agree on a suitable time limit when “night-time voices” should be employed.
When creating dorm rules, keep in consideration each other’s schedules and lifestyles (early risers vs. night owls, smokers vs. non-smokers, for example). Getting to know each other early on promotes a more social and quick dorm living experience.
That being said; let’s finally list out the best college dorms in USA in 2022.
Best College Dorms in the USA 2022
For many, dorm life is a big part of the transition from living at home with family to adulthood. Taking your first steps into the “real world” can be a daunting experience.
College may be your first time living alone.
While it’s an exciting time, it can also be a bit stressful. There are obligations to independent living that you’ve never had to deal with before.
And the prospect of sharing that new space with a roommate who’s essentially a stranger might be uncomfortable. here is a list of the best college dorms you can go for.
- Washington University in St. Louis
- The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- pomona college
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
- Texas Christian University
- Oberlin College
- University of Virginia
- Loyola University Maryland
- Emory University
- University of Austin Texas
- St. Lawrence University
- High Point University
- Bryn Mawr College
- Bowdoin College
- Rice University
- Elon University
- Loyola University Maryland
- Scripps College
- Williams College
- Pitzer College
- Christopher Newport University
- Bennington College
- Kansas State University
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Dayton
- Columbia University
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
#1. Washington University in St. Louis
Washington University in St. Louis, Missouri, ranks first on our ranking of the top college dorms in the United States. Each room in the college dorm can accommodate 3 to 6 people, and the institution developed the student housing in both classic and modern styles.
WashU allocates student housing sections by year, so freshmen live in one of the ten homes on the Danforth campus’s southwest side. These dorms not only have personal bathrooms (a luxury that most college freshmen will never experience), but they also have a cleaning service.
Students at Washington University in St. Louis are also permitted to bring Keurig machines, irons, and mini-refrigerators inside their dormitories in order to foster a sense of independence among them.
Overall, this college receives an A+ for specialty, as well as an A+ for the campus.
It costs an average of $27,108 a year, and students say the ethos is one of “work hard, play hard.” According to Niche’s data, almost all freshmen reside on campus.
It has a 14 percent acceptance rate, thus your chances of acceptance are a little lower than most.
#2. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
The Massachusetts Institute of Technology is one of the world’s leading STEM research colleges, noted for its breakthroughs in sectors ranging from defense and oceanography to ground-breaking programs in artificial intelligence and open-source programming.
MIT is particularly known for its vibrant student life, which is concentrated on campus – all students are given accommodation for their four years of undergraduate education.
Nonetheless, This school is the dream school of many thousands of students, and one of the institutions with the best college dorms, with a highly competitive, highly motivated campus culture centered around 150-year-old traditions, nerdy interests, and a famed pranking culture (which developed the contemporary meaning of “hack”).
MIT’s Simmons Hall, designed by famous architect Steven Holl and completed in 2002, is one of the most iconic buildings at an illustrious university.
Simmons, dubbed “The Sponge,” was inspired by the lowly sea sponge and has earned multiple architectural accolades for its originality and beauty – as well as being named “Eyesore of the Month.” Simmons’ culture is noted for its innovativeness and collegiality;
The Simmons has its own constitution and governmental structure that they like to refer to as the “lounge” style.
The hall has a capacity of 340 undergraduates. Occasionally, invasive architectural admirers must be escorted out, and at a university known for its pranks, the Simmons pool fills spontaneously with rubber ducks. It’s one of the greatest college dorms you can imagine.
#3. pomona college
Pomona College, a founding member of the Claremont Colleges consortium — a group of some of the nation’s most distinguished liberal arts colleges based in Claremont, CA – was modeled after the classic New England liberal arts college, bringing that heritage to California.
Since 1887, Pomona has emphasized not only academic rigor and educational curiosity but also a strong, devoted campus culture. Pomona College, sometimes known as the “college in a garden,” is famous for its beauty as well as its approach to student life and accommodation, which includes some of the top college dorms in America.
Pomona’s two newest residence halls, Sontag and Dialynas Halls, which were built in 2011, are among the most modern and well-planned dorms in the state.
However, they are LEED Platinum-certified, the greatest level of sustainability, with solar water heating, low-water fixtures, and smart air conditioning.
Sontag and Dialynas, with 76 and 78 bedrooms, are largely for juniors and seniors, respectively. The rooms are nice and include some unusual extras, such as Sontag’s rooftop garden and Dialynas’ pull-down movie screen in the first-floor lounge.
Dialynas also has an Outdoor Education Center and a rooftop classroom, both of which are hallmarks of the best college dorms.
#4. Bowdoin College
Bowdoin College, one of America’s top liberal arts universities, was founded in 1794 — so long ago that Maine had not yet broken away from Massachusetts to form its own state. Bowdoin was predominantly a liberal arts college for wealthy young men for much of its existence, but the decision to accept women in 1971 marked the beginning of a new era at Bowdoin.
The school has been dubbed a “New Ivy” and a “Hidden Ivy” due to its long and famous tradition of academic success. Bowdoin is also well-known for its student life, which includes the popular Outing Club, which organizes adventure tours throughout Maine’s rivers, forests, and mountains, as well as one of the best dining services in higher education.
Students at Bowdoin College can reside in apartments or off-campus houses. First-year students, on the other hand, must live in one of eight residence halls.
Although each dormitory location is distinct, Bowdoin College’s senior dormitory location is the most visible.
They feature cable TV, twin beds, a washer and dryer, and parking. This is without a doubt one of the nicest college dorms in the United States.
#5. University of Chicago
The University of Chicago is well-known for being one of the most academically demanding and tough universities in the world; in fact, with its heavy workload and stringent grading, Chicago is frequently listed as more difficult than the Ivy League.
Since its inception in 1890, the University of Chicago has earned a reputation not only for its strong academic standards but also for its vibrant student life and culture.
Hundreds of on-campus groups, a dynamic Greek Life (as many as 10% of students are fraternity or sorority members), and all that Chicago has to offer draw students to UChicago, one of the institutions with the best dorms.
The Max Palevsky Residential Commons, also known as “Max,” is one of Chicago’s most distinctive residence halls, constructed by acclaimed Mexican architect Ricardo Legorreta and named for an alumnus whose $20 million gifts made it possible.
Students at the Max are assigned to one of eight in-hall “houses,” each with its own distinct community and personality but sharing a basement, dining hall, courtyard, and other amenities. Furthermore, Max features music practice spaces, which are uncommon even in the best college dorms.
All freshmen are obliged to live on campus, and up to 60% of students choose to stay because of the comfortable accommodations, close-knit atmosphere, and adequate support.
#6. Scripps College
Founded in 1926, Scripps College is one of the Claremont Colleges, the elite liberal arts colleges clustered around Claremont, California.
Frequently ranked as one of the top liberal arts colleges in the country and one of the top colleges for women, Scripps began as a rarity and, unlike many women’s colleges of the time, focused on preparing young women for the workforce rather than on sophistication.
That tradition remains strong at Scripps, a college known for its strong campus culture and focus on achievement, with a deep foundation in the liberal arts combined with rigorous training in professional skills.
At Scripps, as at all Claremont colleges, students have a vibrant and active social life that cuts across all 5Cs, but Scripps is particularly well known for the quality and comfort of their dormitory life.
This primarily residential campus is widely recognized as one of the finest in the United States, with lush gardens and Mediterranean architecture, including Gabrielle Jungels-Winkler Hall.
Jungels-Winkler Hall, named after a generous alumnus, is open, bright, and airy, with a Mediterranean feel throughout.
The hall, like other Scripps housing, is mixed-class, with students ranging from Freshman to Senior, and it is home to the Bridges Living Learning Community, which promotes cultural and racial diversity and justice. It’s one of America’s top college dorms and a vision of community.
#7. Bryn Mawr College
Bryn Mawr College is located near Bryn Mawr has one of the greatest collegiate residence halls in the United States. The dormitories of this Pennsylvania institution have seating areas, washing machines, and vending machines with soda and snacks.
The school is widely regarded as one of the top liberal arts institutions in the United States, as well as one of the most diverse. The school is renowned for its academic integrity, creative learning and ideas, and political involvement. Since its inception as a Quaker school in 1885, Bryn Mawr has wielded enormous power over women’s education and political thought.
Bryn Mawr has a traditional association with the University of Pennsylvania and has purposefully avoided coeducation, focusing instead on the empowerment of women in science, professions, and leadership.
It has also earned a reputation for having some of the best dorms in the country.
Many of Bryn Mawr’s dorms are historic, including Merion, Pembroke, and Denbigh Halls, which were erected in the 1890s and early 1900s.
The New Dorm, a 2015 development coupled with the Enid Cook Center – also known as the Black Cultural Center – is still renowned as the first new dorm created at Bryn Mawr since 1969.
The New Dorm, which has 101 single rooms, houses members of Bryn Mawr’s cultural student groups, including the Sisterhood (for African-American students), Mujeres (for Latinx students), BACaSO (for African and Caribbean students), and Zami (for LGBTQ students of color), as well as any students who sympathize with and support these groups.
#8. Oberlin College
Oberlin College, long regarded as one of the greatest liberal arts universities in the United States, has been a trailblazer and pacesetter from its inception.
Oberlin, founded in 1833, was the first liberal arts college to admit African-Americans (in 1835), as well as the first to admit women on an equal footing with males (in 1837).
Oberlin’s culture of creativity and forward-thinking continues confidently into the twenty-first century, with the university maintaining a reputation as one of the nation’s most politically involved colleges, from the Civil Rights Movement to LGBTQ equality.
Even Oberlin’s residential living follows in the tradition of the best collegiate dorms, with an emphasis on diversity and community.
Oberlin’s Robert Lewis Kahn Hall is a good example of themed housing, which arranges students’ living arrangements around their interests and concerns.
Kahn is the Sustainability House, and it is part of the First-Year Residential Experience Cluster: all residents must promise to live sustainably, including using alternative transportation and not having a car on campus.
The Kahn building is LEED Silver certified, and students can monitor energy usage in the facility from any wing. Oberlin’s residence halls are well-known around the country, but initiatives like Kahn Hall are both responsible and elegant.
#9. Rice University
Rice Institution is a world-renowned private research university in Houston, Texas, and one of the prestigious Southern Ivies.
Rice became distinguished during the next century for its productivity and discoveries in applied sciences, from computer programming to artificial hearts, after being formed in 1912 from the estate of William Marsh Rice (who desired a free university founded in his name).
But, like many challenging universities, Rice is also known for its colorful campus life: Rice highlights include the student who turned his dorm into a ball pit and the students who flipped their room upside down during the legendary Beer Bike event.
McMurtry College and Duncan College, Rice’s newest dorms, are two of the most fascinating of the university’s numerous unique dorms.
Both buildings are named after long-time donors and are LEED-certified Gold, which goes above and beyond the Silver status, Rice demands all new buildings. These McMurtry and Duncan buildings, which opened in 2009, were designed to accommodate 650 students and featured imaginative and inventive approaches to promoting sustainability, such as pre-fab, energy-efficient bathroom “pods” in each room.
Furthermore, rooftop gardens contribute to McMurtry and Duncan’s sustainability and cool aspect, elevating Rice to the list of institutions with the best dorms.
#10. University of Virginia
There are many colleges and universities that can claim Founding Fathers as founders, but the University of Virginia can proudly claim Thomas Jefferson, author of the Declaration of Independence, philosopher, and President, as its founder.
As a leading thinker of the American Enlightenment, Jefferson envisioned UVA as a testament to the Revolutionary War ideals, with a focus on science, exploration, and service.
UVA, one of the most distinguished public research institutions and the epitome of a Public Ivy, remains a dream school for many students, and UVA student life is famed for its traditions and character.
Unlike most institutions, UVA was specially designed by Thomas Jefferson, who drew and oversaw the construction of what he called the “Academical Village.”
Today, the Academical Village remains the heart of UVA, and The Lawn, the 54 single rooms that were part of Jefferson’s original concept, is the most sought-after accommodation on campus.
These rooms aren’t necessarily luxury – they don’t have air conditioning or their own kitchen, but they do have fireplaces – but they are unquestionably prestigious and the envy of all.
Only fourth and fifth-year students are eligible to apply to live in this historical monument, making it not only one of the nicest but also one of the most elite college dorms.
#11. Loyola University Maryland
Loyola University Maryland is a prestigious Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities member and a highly ranked Catholic university in Baltimore, MD. Loyola, founded in 1852, is a Baltimore landmark and a transformative force in the region’s education.
Loyola is consistently ranked as one of the top regional universities in the North, as well as an up-and-coming university and one of the best values.
The school is also known for having one of the best business schools in the country, the Sellinger School of Business, as well as some of the best dorms in the country.
Loyola’s Newman Towers offer students all of the amenities of an upscale apartment, right on campus for convenience and community.
Newman is a 9-story, two-tower apartment building with apartments for 2 to 8 students. While Newman’s accommodations are excellent, including a 24-hour common area and fully-furnished suites, it is in the dining room that Newman truly shines.
On the ground floor, Iggy’s Market offers a small grocery store as well as freshly prepared meals for residents, as well as a dining area.
An apartment building with a grocery store and a cafe sounds like the best of city living, as well as one of the best college dorms.
#12. Emory University
Emory University is one of the nation’s most prominent colleges, known as one of the Southern Ivies and one of the wealthiest universities in the world in terms of endowment.
Emory is home to Georgia’s largest hospital system, and since its inception in 1836, Emory has established itself as one of the world’s most productive research institutions.
Student life is diversified and well-known for its emphasis on community involvement, social justice, and cultural interchange. Emory’s housing mirrors its principles, ranking among the best dorms in the country.
Emory, being a Southern Ivy, offers accommodation that lives up to the reputation. Emory has more possibilities for first-year students because all freshmen are expected to reside on campus, but Raoul Hall stands out.
Raoul Hall is the home of Emory’s Social Entrepreneurship living-learning community, so inhabitants are linked by their commitment to change the world; the hall is named after Eleonore Raoul Greene, Emory’s first female law school graduate and a champion of women’s rights.
Few & Evans Hall is the school’s first LEED-certified Gold building for second-year students, with sustainable, energy-efficient features and wide common areas for socialization.
#13. University of Austin Texas
The University of Texas at Austin is one of the nation’s top public research universities, a Public Ivy, and the leading institution in the Southwest.
UT Austin, located in the Texas capital and cultural hub, is also one of the major institutions in the United States by the student body (top 10) and hence has a high demand for accommodation.
The Austin area is generally named one of the coolest places in the United States, owing partly to the music and art communities that have sprung up around UT, and students can live in practically any style they can envision.
If it’s true, it’s not a cliche, and it’s difficult to refute that Texas must do everything big, including student housing.
Callaway House is UT Austin’s quest for the most opulent student accommodation, a 17-story high rise with over 750 beds and all the facilities of a fancy downtown apartment building.
Residents have access to a 24-hour fitness facility, a rooftop pool, hot tub, game rooms, a movie room, and, most crucially, on-call staff 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Students can request roommates and select between private and shared quarters.
Students can walk or bike to campus in about one block (and a bike storage area keeps pedal-powered transport safe). As one of the top college dorms in America, the Callaway House is already transforming the face of student accommodation.
#14. St. Lawrence University
St. Lawrence University is a tiny liberal arts college in the Adirondack Mountains of upstate New York.
St. Lawrence University, which is consistently listed among the top liberal arts universities in the United States, has earned a reputation as one of the best liberal arts colleges for professional jobs.
St. Lawrence also offers one of the highest returns on higher education investment, with alumni earning one of the highest average rates of pay among liberal arts college graduates.
St. Lawrence has built a reputation for extending beyond the classroom, with a focus on innovation and experimentation, and for having some of the top dorms in the country.
Colleges with the best dorms aren’t necessarily what they appear to be. St. Lawrence’s Yurts at Arcadia aren’t what most people would consider posh, but they are unusual.
The Yurts are student housing for St. Lawrence’s Adirondack Semester, a program that invites students to St. Lawrence’s 4000-acre reserve sector to live off the grid for a semester.
There are no cell phones, laptops, or running water, but there is Lake Massawepie and the magnificent Adirondack Mountains.
It’s an ideal location for a life-changing program for students who wish to learn about nature, sustainable practices, and personal growth.
#15. Brandeis University
Brandeis University was formed in 1948 to provide an Ivy League-quality university for Jewish students, who were typically prohibited from more selective institutions and liberal arts colleges. It was named after Louis Brandeis, the first Jewish Supreme Court Justice.
Today, Brandeis is a renowned private research institution known for its strong liberal arts foundation and politically active, progressive student body.
Community involvement, engagement, and service-learning are also important aspects of Brandeis’ student life and curriculum; some of America’s top college residences are merely icing on the cake.
Brandeis is known for its intensive and challenging education — in fact, it has been dubbed “America’s most stressful college” – but it is also known for its close-knit, supportive student community.
Brandeis prohibits fraternities and sororities because all student activities are designed to be inclusive, and campus life is centered around clubs and resident life.
The Massell Quad is home to first-year students and features the Beit Midrash Jewish Study and Prayer Room, the Kane Reflecting Pool, and the Yakus Meditation Area for tranquil, studious student life – and a break from the pressure.
Frequently Asked Questions About Best college Dorms 2022
#1. What college has the most luxurious dorms?
The 15 Best College Dorms That Are Nicer Than Your Apartment
- Washington University in St. Louis
- The Massachusetts Institute of Technology
- pomona college
- Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering
- Texas Christian University
- Oberlin College
- University of Virginia
- Loyola University Maryland
- Emory University
- University of Austin Texas
- St. Lawrence University
- High Point University
- Bryn Mawr College
- Bowdoin College
- Rice University
- Elon University
- Loyola University Maryland
- Scripps College
- Williams College
- Pitzer College
- Christopher Newport University
- Bennington College
- Kansas State University
- Vanderbilt University
- University of Dayton
- Columbia University
- Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology
#2. Is living in a college dorm worth it?
However, living on campus can be an important part of the collegiate experience. Dorm life might make it easier to meet new people and participate in activities.
#3. Which Ivy League has the prettiest campus?
The Ivy League with the best campus is Princeton. It’s reputed as having the prettiest campus. But beauty is in the eyes of the beholder. Some people see Columbia as the most beautiful because of its gothic and classical buildings, while some will pick Cornell because of its breath-taking landscape.
#4. Can a guy and a girl share a dorm?
“Co-ed housing,” where male and female students share the same floor, has long been part of the college dorm experience. But now some schools are letting men and women live together in the same dorm room.
#5. What is the nicest college campus in the world?
The 10 most beautiful universities in the world
- Heidelberg University.
- Sorbonne University, France.
- Flagler College, United States.
- Royal Roads University, Canada.
- University of Otago, New Zealand.
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong.
- University of Catania, Sicily.
#6. Is it better to live in a dorm or apartment?
Lower cost. It may seem impossible, but apartments are generally cheaper than dorms. That’s because dorms require you to pay room and board, which includes additional costs for things like food, laundry services, utilities, and more. When you move into an apartment, you only pay for what you use.
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