There’s been a lot of discussion around increasing college tuition, but some people argue that housing costs are an even bigger concern. For example, at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, students can pay up to $1,250 per month for a shared three-person dorm room with a communal bathroom, which leaves many feeling overwhelmed.
Heidi Veideman, who started her freshman year at the University of California, Davis in the fall of 2022, received financial aid to help with tuition, but it didn’t cover her housing costs. This led her and her two roommates to rent a three-person dorm room, with each contributing $1,250 a month, totaling more than $10,000 for the academic year.
Veideman shared her frustrations, saying, “Aside from a single bed and a bunk bed, the space is really small, and there’s no private bathroom. I feel like I’m being ripped off.”
At just 20 years old, Veideman found herself taking out loans to manage her living expenses. As her debt grew, she ultimately had to leave Davis and two years later enrolled at UC Irvine, moving in with her fiancé’s parents. “I know everyone talks about high tuition, but housing is really the bigger issue,” she noted.
Federal statistics indicate that the average cost of dormitory housing at four-year universities skyrocketed from $5,433 in the 2012-13 academic year to $7,456 in the 2022-23 year, marking a staggering 37% increase over the past decade. In comparison, tuition and fees have only risen from $14,099 to $17,709, a 26% increase.
Robert Kelchen, an education professor at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, observes, “Everyone focuses on ‘how much is tuition,’ but if you’re attending a public university, housing costs often mean more than tuition itself.”
Taking UC Berkeley as an example, a three-person dorm can cost as much as $4,750 per month, totaling $12,675 per student for the year. However, university officials clarify that these rental fees aren’t intended for profit.
Olan Bryant Garrett, vice president at Temple University in Philadelphia, explained that dorm costs encompass various expenses, including utilities, staff salaries, and maintenance. He highlighted, “You have resident advisors and university administrators; living in a dorm provides you with additional support and resources.”
Jason Cohn, a researcher at the Urban Institute’s Center on Education Data and Policy, noted, “In the current environment, a significant portion of college expenses is allocated to housing. If you want to cut costs, prioritize living expenses when considering colleges.”
Garrett advised students to carefully evaluate their living options: “Everyone dreams of living in the Taj Mahal, but it’s crucial to determine if it’s within your budget.”
