Being a broke college student is, ironically, one of the most expensive lifestyles. According to ThinkImpact, being a college student for four years will run you about $160,000 and $240,000 including tuition, room and board, supplies, transportation, midnight runs to Wingstop and the Starbucks coffee the morning after.
One of the biggest costs that students run into is housing, which begs the question: Is it better to live on campus in dorms or off campus in apartments or houses?
Assuming you live with a roommate, prices to live on campus at NIU range between $5,873 – Neptune Residence Hall North and West – and $8,074 – Fanny Ruth Patterson Complex – per semester.
Expenses include use of the dorm’s laundry units, bathrooms, dorm dining halls, air and heat – unless you’re in Neptune North or West, in which case you have no AC – and elevators, depending on the building. The main advantage to on campus living is proximity and convenience, at the possible expense of privacy.
Popular off campus options like University Park Apartments, Ashbury Court Apartments, and Eco Park Apartments range from $600 to $1,500 monthly rent. Per semester, that would be much more cost effective than dorming, especially if split between multiple people.
These apartments also include similar amenities as dorms with the added privacy associated with living in apartments. Kitchens are also provided, but it could be considered a downside since the added cost of groceries could add up over time.
Another downside is proximity to campus, though it’s worth mentioning most off-campus apartment options are within a 10-minute walk from campus.
Freshman are required to live on campus, so the decision here is rather irrelevant for them, but for you upperclassmen: Would you trade privacy and cost effectiveness for proximity?
I mean, if you think about it, with the kind of debt you’re in, what’s another few grand to be closer to class and not have to cook for yourself? As a freshman, I live on campus regardless, but find the proximity and cost effectiveness convenient.
What do you think?
