Colleges With The Most Expensive Residence Halls

The cost of getting a higher-education is always at the forefront of discussion each academic year. From student loans to the cost of textbooks, every aspect of getting a degree seems to have an impact on your wallet. For those going to University out-of-state, finding a place to reside is important, and that typically involves living on-campus. Residence Halls (Dorms) are convenient and offer a few of the amenities most students require, which is why they tend to be a bit pricey. A recent map (show above) produced by the higher-education website, eCollegeFinder.org, shows the colleges in each state that were the most expensive during the 2013-2014 academic year.

Using data from the National Center for Education Statistics, eCollegeFinder put together a map showing the college dorms that were most expensive in their respective states or federal districts (i.e. Washington, D.C.). The map consists of data from four-year undergraduate programs and focuses on the cost of room (e.g. dorm) and board (e.g. meal plan). At the top of the list is the New York School of Interior Design (New York) where you would be looking at $21,000 for room and board. At the bottom of the list is Augustana College where you could expect to pay only $7,170. It stands to reason that the cost of living and property values in each state has a lot to do with how much you can expect to pay on room and board.

Most Expensive College Dorms by State

  • Alabama — University of Alabama — $13,156 (#21)
  • Alaska — University of Alaska Anchorage — $10,143 (#41)
  • Arizona — Arizona State University — Downtown Phoenix — $11,466 (#31)
  • Arkansas — Hendrix College — $10,620 (#38)
  • California — University of California — Berkeley — $15,482 (#3)
  • Colorado — University of Colorado — Boulder — $12,258 (#27)
  • Connecticut — Quinnipiac University — $14,250 (#6)
  • DC — Catholic University of America — $14,326 (#5)
  • Delaware — University of Delaware — $11,200 (#33)
  • Florida — Rollins College — $12,960 (#22)
  • Georgia — Savannah College of Art and Design — $13,374 (#17)
  • Hawaii — Hawaii Pacific University — $13,320 (#19)
  • Idaho — The College of Idaho — $8,501 (#47)
  • Illinois — School of the Art Institute of Chicago — $14,190 (#8)
  • Indiana — University of Notre Dame — $12,512 (#26)
  • Iowa — Grinnell College — $9,998 (#42)
  • Kansas — The Art Institutes International — Kansas City — $9,579 (#44)
  • Kentucky — Bellarmine University — $10,592 (#39)
  • Louisiana — Saint Joseph Seminary College — $13,350 (#18)
  • Maine — Bates College — $13,300 (#20)
  • Maryland — Johns Hopkins University — $13,832 (#13)
  • Massachusetts — The Boston Conservatory — $17,195 (#2)
  • Michigan — Albion College — $10,144 (#40)
  • Minnesota — Carleton College — $11,982 (#28)
  • Mississippi — Millsaps College — $11,368 (#32)
  • Missouri — Washington University in St. Louis — $13,977 (#11)
  • Montana — Carroll College — $8,304 (#49)
  • Nebraska — Creighton University — $9,728 (#43)
  • Nevada — Sierra Nevada College — $11,772 (#30)
  • New Hampshire — Dartmouth College — $13,466 (#16)
  • New Jersey — Stevens Institute of Technology — $14,214 (#7)
  • New Mexico — St. John’s College — $11,816 (#29)
  • New York — New York School of Interior Design — $21,000 (#1)
  • North Carolina — Duke University — $12,902 (#23)
  • North Dakota — North Dakota State University — $7,300 (#50)
  • Ohio — Case Western Reserve University — $12,898 (#24)
  • Oklahoma — Oklahoma City University — $10,730 (#37)
  • Oregon — Pacific Northwest College of Art — $12,814 (#25)
  • Pennsylvania — Drexel University — $14,415 (#4)
  • Rhode Island — Roger Williams University — $14,120 (#9)
  • South Carolina — College of Charleston — $11,043 (#34)
  • South Dakota — Augustana College — $7,170 (#51)
  • Tennessee — Vanderbilt University — $14,094 (#10)
  • Texas — Southern Methodist University — $13,955 (#12)
  • Utah — The Art Institute of Salt Lake City — $8,370 (#48)
  • Vermont — Champlain College — $13,500 (#15)
  • Virginia — The Art Institute of Virginia Beach — $13,716 (#14)
  • Washington — Whitman College — $10,900 (#35)
  • West Virginia — Bethany College — $9,546 (#45)
  • Wisconsin — Marquette University — $10,730 (#36)
  • Wyoming — University of Wyoming — $9,451 (#46)

*Numbers in parenthesis “()” show the ranks amongst the schools with #1 representing most expensive and #51 least expensive. Washington DC is included in this list, which is why it show 51 results (instead of 50).

For more information on this research, visit the Most Expensive College Dorms in Each State article.

Were you surprised at any of the schools on this list? What are some of the ways you cut expenses on room and board? Share your thoughts in the comments section below.

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