Rather than room and board fees, when talking about the cost of US colleges, the first thing many people think of is tuition and fees. In fact, room and board fees are also one necessary part of college expenses. They will impact your budget and overall financial plan during your college. We prepare the detailed information on the room and board, and list the top 5 US universities with low room and board fees for your reference.
What is Room and Board?
“Room and board” are also called “housing and food”. Generally speaking, room and board fees are the cost of housing and meals during college. Housing prices vary as rooms are equipped with different facilities. If students are not satisfied with on-campus housing, they can choose to live in off-campus student housing near the university, which is also affordable and freer.
Besides, students should pay for meal plans they choose. Some colleges charge for food items, and others have meal credits. Before every semester starts, students will choose the expected number of meals for the semester at one time, and the more meals they buy at one time, the lower the unit price of each meal. Commonly, there are three types of meal plans according to the number of meals:
- unlimited plans: go for dining hall with unlimited times
- block plans: the number of meals are fixed each semester
- weekly plans: the number of meals are fixed every week
At public colleges, room and board costs are usually the same for in-state and out-of-state residents. According to the statistics from the College Board, in 2024-2025, average room and board costs are $15,250 at private colleges, higher than $13,310 at public colleges. Below are the information on average room and board costs for college.
| Public four-year in-state college | Public four-year out-of-state college | Private four-year out-of-state college | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024-2025 | $13,310 | $13,310 | $15,250 |
| 2023-2024 | $12,770 | $12,770 | $14,650 |
| $ change | $540.00 | $540.00 | $600.00 |
| % change | 4.06% | 4.06% | 3.93% |
Top 5 Colleges with Low Room and Board Fees
Tuition and room and board are the main components in students’ college budgets. By contrast, the latter are more accessible to control for individuals. Affected objectively by rising global prices and the adjustment of college policies, expenses for room and board have increased. Many people are starting to think about going to college with a lower cost of living.
No. 5 Livingstone College
Room and board cost in 2024-2025: $6,794
Livingstone College was established in 1879 as Zion Wesley Institute by a group of A.M.E. Zion ministers to prepare individuals for ministry in the town of Concord, North Carolina, located in Cabarrus County. It is a private institution with 82.40% of employment rate. Here, students can enjoy a wonderful campus life while spending a low room and board cost.
No. 4 Oklahoma Panhandle State University
Room and board cost in 2024-2025: $6,154
Oklahoma Panhandle State University is a public university founded in 1909. It is comprised of three colleges that are diverse and inclusive. They are college of business and technology, college of arts and education and college of agriculture, science and nursing. This is one of the university with lower room and board cost. There is no need to face big financial pressure and you can participate in various educational, cultural, recreational and social programs to enrich your collegiate experience.
No. 3 Lackawanna College
Room and board cost in 2024-2025: $6,055
Lackawanna College is founded in 1894. Its location is in the heart of downtown Scranton. With the history of over 120 years, the College is always commited to providing high-quality education for students and improve their lives. Presently, the College has six campuses in Hawley, Hazleton, Sunbury, Towanda, Tunkhannock, the Environmental Education Center in Covington Township. It has more than 60 degrees and certifications and small class sizes. Because of its low room and cost fees, it is often an affordable choice for many students.
No. 2 Alabama State University
Room and board cost in 2024-2025: $6,050
Alabama State University has 7 colleges with many academic programs. At ASU, students can obtain opportunities for unique and rigorous educational experiences to improve their academic skills. The university also focus on cultivating critical thoughts and artistic creativity. With low cost of room and board, the school also provides students a more supportive environment where individual rights and differences are respected.
No. 1 Wiley University
Room and board cost in 2024-2025: $5,000
Wiley University is a liberal arts college founded in 1873. The university is the first “Thinkpad College” west of the Mississippi River. It’s convenient for students studying in both dorms and classrooms, which are equipped with internet capabilities and adcanced technologically facilities. It should be noted that Students for the Bachelor of Arts, the Bachelor of Science, and the Bachelor of Business Administration at Wiley University must complete a 45-credit-hours core curriculum.
Conclusion
Room and board fees in US colleges are a significant expense that can be affected by many factors, such as the location of each university, changes in global prices and government policies. You can learn specific information on the definition of room and board of colleges and the latest statistics of average room and board cost for college. Also, we introduce 5 top universities with lower room and board fees to help you make informed decisions.
FAQ
How much do room and board fees average around?
According to the statistics from the College Board, in 2024-2025, average room and board costs are $15,250 at private colleges, higher than $13,310 at public colleges. Below are the information on average room and board costs for college.
Is tuitoin included on room and board
No.
Tuition is not included on room and board. Both of them are essential components of college budget for students. Tuition is the primary cost paying for being taught in a college, while room and board fees refer to the cost of housing and food student spending at a college.
Does the term room and board include food?
Yes.
The term room and board include food. Room and board fees usually cover the cost of housing (room) and the cost of food (board). They vary depending on what kind of rooms and meal plans student choose.
