Is living on campus required during the first year?

Hi folks! As I’m starting to plan out my college life, I’m curious about the housing situation. Do most colleges require you to live on campus during your freshman year? I'm trying to budget and figure out if I need to factor in dorm costs or if I have the option to live off-campus straight away.

Many colleges do have policies that require first-year students to live on campus, though there are exceptions based on the institution. This is often due to the belief that living on campus can help freshmen better integrate into the college community and have easier access to campus resources. However, some schools may offer exemptions for local students, those who are married, above a certain age, or have other extenuating circumstances. You can usually find this information on the college’s housing or admissions webpage. If cost is a concern, be sure to consider that on-campus housing can sometimes be more economical when factoring in utilities, internet, and furnishings that are generally included in dorm costs, whereas off-campus housing can have additional expenses. It's crucial to research each school you are interested in to understand their specific policy.