2023 Best College Dorms in America

• University Center, MI•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.75 out of 5  1,665 reviews

Freshman: Being a first-year student at Saginaw Valley State University, I was anxious to start this new chapter and experience new people, education, and living style. However, Saginaw Valley does an amazing job at making one feel welcomed. In only the first week of school, I had met a great group of people at the many events the university hosts. To add, the professors I have learned from have all been understanding and patient with my studies, and the tutoring opportunities are endless. At Saginaw Valley, you will not need to worry about finding something to do or not feeling at home. The school does an excellent job at accustoming all students to fit their needs the best. I am so thrilled to have picked this school and to be a cardinal!... Read 1,665 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 89%

• Net price $15,032

• SAT range 970-1190

• California, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.44 out of 5  1,476 reviews

Senior: The environment at California University of Pennsylvania is rated friendly for everyone, even concluding outside community members of all areas. Many events hosted to bring students together, residents of the campus and commuters to ensure an amazing experience for everyone. To my experience with communication can be better, but this is due to a matter of the integration of the three schools (California University, Clarion University, and Edinboro University) interfering a little with that matter. Everything else has been spot on!... Read 1,476 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $19,116

• SAT range 920-1120

• Bluffton, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.6 out of 5  478 reviews

Junior: The University of South Carolina Beaufort is a smaller school in South Carolina, but it is a great fit for me. The main campus is in Bluffton, SC and is around a lot of great places to eat! With the school being smaller than others, you have an opportunity to get to know your professors and create a bond. This can help you a lot academically by having access to a helpful professor. My favorite thing about the campus is that you are only 25 minutes from the beach, so if you had a rough week you can go relax. It is a great school and I would recommend it to anyone!... Read 478 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $16,748

• SAT range 940-1110

• Mansfield, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.48 out of 5  905 reviews

Sophomore: I'm a sophomore this year, so I can talk about my experience last year as a freshman. I feel like I didn't get the full experience specifically talking campus life, because I stayed during the pandemic. A lot of stuff were restricted, classes were all online, and there wasn't a lot of people on campus. Other than that, the classes and programs are really good, the professors are very patient with their students when it comes to teaching the material, the campus is small so it's easy to learn where everything is at, the people who attend the university are very welcoming, and there are so many opportunities when it comes to being involved with clubs and events!... Read 905 reviews

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $12,010

• SAT range 960-1130

• Rohnert Park, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.5 out of 5  1,504 reviews

Junior: This university is academic focused. One on one help with small class sizes. Dorm life is incredible! The campus is small and the community is very welcoming. Close to restaurants, gas stations, and entertainment venues. The beach is a 30 minute drive and to reach the snow is 20 minutes from campus. Lots of clubs to join and job opportunities with internship credit. Beautiful sunsets and sunrises around campus. The scenery is spectacular with views of the redwood trees and Sonoma Mountains in the East. Best sports teams in the CSU with high academic scores. I am definitely returning for Sonoma State’s graduate program for Masters and Ph.D!... Read 1,504 reviews

• grade C+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 89%

• Net price $17,239

• SAT range 950-1150

• Shippensburg, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.53 out of 5  1,061 reviews

Junior: My experience so far at Shippensburg University is great. When I first started it was rough because of covid but as the time went by I started to adjust and adapt. I wouldn't want to see anything change because the campus and professors ate great. Shippensburg is a college that takes initiative. They help students out in any way shape and form. You can depend on anyone to help you out! It was a few times I didn't think I could do it but I had people in my corner and they got me where I needed to be.... Read 1,061 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $21,631

• SAT range 930-1150

• Fort Myers, FL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.85 out of 5  2,594 reviews

Junior: My experience with Florida Gulf Coast University has absolutely been a pleasant one. Firstly, all of the staff members (professors, advisors, food, housing, etc.) that I have met are very kind, caring, and ready to help. The education received from coursework has been top quality within all of my classes; the professors are extremely knowledgeable individuals. The campus itself is eloquently placed within the beautiful environment of Southwest Florida, facilities are clean, technology is up to date, and helpful services are plentiful (such as viewable from GPS phone application, FGCU buses which run all day, cycling from campus to housing areas to support students who do not drive to class). If I could recommend one change, it would actually just be an improvement; an increase in advisors reaching out to students, especially new students, essentially to provide each with a checklist of important things to do and know (for example, what courses to take and when). Ultimately, go FGCU!... Read 2,594 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 77%

• Net price $10,151

• SAT range 1060-1210

• New Albany, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.76 out of 5  709 reviews

Alum: IU Southeast is a great choice for students who wish to receive an Indiana University degree at a fraction of the cost of attending IU Bloomington. There is a plethora of degree programs available. Centrally located in New Albany, Indiana, the school is an easy commute for those who live in the Louisville Metropolitan area. There are student housing options available, in addition to apartment complexes within a short drive of the school. I personally enjoyed the smaller class sizes, as it allowed individual students to receive one-on-one assistance from professors as needed. There are also options available to partner with the Purdue University Polytechnic campus in New Albany for several degree programs. Overall, IU Southeast is a great choice for students who wish to receive a 4-year degree, and still experience campus life without the hustle and bustle of a large college campus.... Read 709 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 85%

• Net price $10,421

• SAT range 970-1150

• Mahwah, NJ•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.43 out of 5  1,006 reviews

Freshman: The college overall was an excellent experience. The program I was a part of, however, was new and undeveloped. I felt as though I wasn't given a path that made me feel confident in following. The offices responded in a timely manner and were always willing to help. All of the professors that I encountered in my time at this college were very pleasant. This college sold me when I saw their housing, commitment to their students' safety, diversity, and welcoming community. The small campus allows for a close community between students and professors, and aids in lessening confusion as you learn to navigate campus. This college provides unlimited extracurricular opportunities and hosts a multitude of events weekly! I was also surprised to find that the TWO dinning halls were always preparing amazing food. Both the atrium and standard dinning hall offered excellent, diverse, options; this includes those who are vegetarian and vegan. They also have Dunkin' and Starbucks as great options!... Read 1,006 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 67%

• Net price $17,286

• SAT range 1040-1220

• Newport News, VA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  1,272 reviews

Sophomore: I absolutely love the security on campus. There are people monitoring the front desks in each of the dorms at all hours. The atmosphere is very welcoming, and the professors know each of their students by name. If you're struggling with academics, tutoring is available for free for everyone who signs up. There are free counseling services on campus as well. The library has private study rooms that are open all hours of the night for CNU students. The campus meals are similar to fresh, homemade meals. The campus is beautiful, and all of the main academic buildings are right next to each other. It is impossible to get lost when finding a building on this campus. The small campus life is really amazing at CNU!... Read 1,272 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $25,393

• SAT range 1110-1280

• Lexington, KY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  3,892 reviews

Junior: It is an amazing school with a gorgeous campus and absolutely endless ways to be involved in activities of your liking. Such a large number of students and faculty makes it a great school for broadening your worldview and learning new perspectives, as well as making friends! It is truly a place to find yourself, and your place in the world. The food is great, classes are great, and dorms are great. Although it is expensive, you do get what you pay for. I just hope it doesn't get to political and woke for its own good.... Read 3,892 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 96%

• Net price $19,831

• SAT range 1070-1280

• Slippery Rock, PA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.66 out of 5  1,552 reviews

Freshman: I loved Slippery Rock University! It was the only school I applied to because I knew early on that I wanted to go there. It was the only public university in Pennsylvania to have my major, integrated marketing communications. I loved how nice and helpful the professors were, they really do want to see you succeed and work hard to get you where you want to be. The campus was also beautiful and not to big, it had a homey feel that was quite comforting. The students were super friendly and the school was small enough that you saw people you knew often walking around campus, but there was still opportunities to meet knew people everywhere you went. I lived in Rhoads, a traditional hall on campus, and I absolutely loved it. I met my best friends there and the environment is so welcoming. I 100% believe you’ll have a great time if you stay there your first year. Everyone knows Rhoads is one of the best living options because of how nice everyone is that lives there. SRU is amazing, Go Rock!... Read 1,552 reviews

• grade B

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 74%

• Net price $18,117

• SAT range 1000-1170

• Los Angeles, CA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.96 out of 5  5,411 reviews

Senior: If you can attend in-person classes, UCLA is a great school! The student dorms are on the expensive side, but well worth the price. There are several dining halls right next to the dorms that each cater to a different style (ie dine-in, to-go, vegan specialties), as well as a few restaurants on campus and the nearby Westwood Village. The campus itself is gorgeous (I love taking evening walks around sunset), and you can learn about the history of it from guided tours if you want. If you're looking for a rad party scene, just cross the street into frat row, and you'll find parties every week. In terms of academics, I will simply say that UCLA is a top school. You will have to work your butt off, sometimes in less-than-ideal circumstances, but the returns will be more than worth it. Most professors are great, but some are only there to do research and are forced to grudgingly teach a class or two, so look them up on Bruinwalk before enrolling in their classes. All-in-all, a great school!... Read 5,411 reviews

• grade A+

• grade A+

• Acceptance rate 14%

• Net price $16,474

• SAT range —

• Tuscaloosa, AL•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.98 out of 5  4,660 reviews

Sophomore: Alabama was my last-choice college because I was set on an Ivy League-level school, but I’m so happy I chose to go here! Nothing beats not having to pay for my education and graduating without debt. My professors have been great (for the most part), and I’m pretty happy with my overall academic experience. Green life is pretty big here and dominates things like SGA and some broader aspects of student life. I’m not one to join a sorority because of their strict rules and unappealing culture, but I haven’t struggled to make friends without it. There are over 500 clubs and organizations to get plugged into that will certainly help you get to know other people! My most negative experience were the dorms last year. I paid $1,100/month for a tiny bedroom, shared bathroom, living room, and a kitchenette with no stove or oven. This year, I’m only paying $550/month to have my own bed and bath off-campus in a house with my friends. Like every college, they really rip you off freshman year.... Read 4,660 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 80%

• Net price $20,518

• SAT range 1070-1330

• Syracuse, NY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.63 out of 5  330 reviews

Sophomore: The environment of SUNY ESF is just as academically intensive as it is fun and welcoming. While other schools with similar academic pressures offer a highly competitive community, ESF's students work hard and support one another along the way! Besides the environment itself, ESF boasts a lot of unique opportunities, including its relationship with Syracuse University. I definitely feel at home here and would recommend at least paying them a visit!... Read 330 reviews

• grade A minus

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 60%

• Net price $22,133

• SAT range 1130-1300

• Evansville, IN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.74 out of 5  978 reviews

Junior: I love the people at USI! Everyone is so friendly and welcoming. I am studying Exercise Science, and from the first semester I was job shadowing for a class and very involved in the field. I also love the campus. USI is somewhat in the country and there are lakes and many pretty spots on campus. There are always people from the community walking and running around campus and on the bike trail that runs from campus to a local park. I would recommend USI for anyone looking for a smaller university that is located in a moderate sized city.... Read 978 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 94%

• Net price $13,958

• SAT range 980-1170

• Crookston, MN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.88 out of 5  193 reviews

Sophomore: After my first year of attending college, I found that the University of Minnesota Crookston had a lot to offer. Between the variety of clubs available to join, to the on-campus activities that never seemed to end, there was always something to do or someway to get involved. The classes were taught in a professional manner and gave me plenty of opportunity to learn the material. The staff were willing to help you to the best of their ability, and seemed to always be willing to go above and beyond what they needed to do. The food and dining options were nothing to write home about, but occasionally there was something exciting available. There is not much I would change about how the school operates. Overall, my first year was exactly the kind of experience I was hoping to get coming to a smaller school. Looking forward to coming back next year... Read 193 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 72%

• Net price $12,010

• SAT range 1000-1180

• Omaha, NE•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.69 out of 5  1,385 reviews

Junior: Overall good! Getting enrolled and communicating with advisors can be difficult especially during the off months. There are lots of great professors that are great at teaching their subjects. Hard to find scholarships unless you are in STEM or Business. There are lots of hoops you need to jump through in order to figure out how to do center things like getting new student cards or where you can park, but the actual school itself and the campus is great.... Read 1,385 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 82%

• Net price $13,314

• SAT range 840-1100

• Aberdeen, SD•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  304 reviews

Sophomore: Professors are usually very helpful and understanding. This is important to me because my ulcerative colitis prevents me from attending class or sitting in a classroom setting sometimes. Campus is easy to navigate and everyone is very helpful. Some of the professors .especially the music ones, have already taught me a lot of great things in only my first year of attending.... Read 304 reviews

• grade B

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 79%

• Net price $16,404

• SAT range 990-1140

• Tifton, GA•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.92 out of 5  669 reviews

Sophomore: ABAC is an amazing place to meet new people and get great new experiences. We often catch ourselves saying "Nowhere else in the world would this happen than here at ABAC". If you have a horse, there is on-campus boarding that is within walking distance from the dorms and any random Tuesday night can be turned into a rodeo. What other college can that happen at? And the students here are so nice and helpful. Truly an amazing experience that you just have to see for yourself!... Read 669 reviews

• grade B minus

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 76%

• Net price $8,106

• SAT range 900-1100

• Juneau, AK•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.57 out of 5  220 reviews

Freshman: I love attending UAS. I previously attended another University in WA state about 10 years ago and instantly felt as though I was lost. There was no one to try to help or guide me through the processes. My family could not help since I was a first-generation college student. At UAS, all staff has been so friendly. They encourage you to do your best and succeed, if you don't understand something, they are right there to help you out. Professors are so willing to work with students to try to ensure that they don't fall behind in class. I appreciate the laid-back feeling of it at. As an Indigenous person, I feel as though this school is working hard to help me succeed and to teach my fellow students about my culture as well as the other cultures around us. I love that the Indigenous population of Juneau has made this our school and people seem to respect that.... Read 220 reviews

• grade B+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 64%

• Net price $10,506

• SAT range —

• Martin, TN•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.7 out of 5  983 reviews

Sophomore: My freshman year at UTM was a fantastic one! The learning environment is pretty relaxed, the teachers are understanding and flexible, and the students are pretty nice. Campus facilities and dormitories are nice, too, and the RA’s are some of the most helpful people you’ll meet. The student to teacher ratio is roughly 15:1, so you get to meet your professors privately, in most cases. 12/10–would recommend to high school seniors!... Read 983 reviews

• grade B

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 65%

• Net price $11,895

• SAT range 975-1170

• Cheyenne, WY•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.83 out of 5  397 reviews

Sophomore: I love this junior college! As an incoming sophomore, I can tell you this was the best choice for me in the whole state of Wyoming! It's very cost effective, friendly, fun, inclusive, and the staff is very invested in you and your future whether that be academically, emotionally, physically or fiscally. Laramie County Community College is a great choice if you want to spend your money wisely! You will also greatly appreciate the one-on-one attention from your professors for your General Education classes, they seriously care about you doing well!... Read 397 reviews

• grade C+

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $6,413

• SAT range —

• Conway, SC•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.72 out of 5  2,026 reviews

Sophomore: Coastal Carolina is a overall great school. The staffing good, the professors are helpful. Moving forward at Coastal Carolina has taught me a lot already. I’ve learned independence, i’ve learned that the information that Coastal give you in the beginning is everything you will need while attending. The environment is great, the energy, the sports teams. I love Coastal Carolina and i will be continuing my education at Coastal. Go Chants!... Read 2,026 reviews

• grade B

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 70%

• Net price $14,716

• SAT range 1020-1180

• Crownpoint, NM•

• 4 Year

• •
  Rating 3.49 out of 5  244 reviews

Sophomore: Although Navajo Technical University is located in a remote area, it has many advantages to attending here. The cost of the education is a big draw for those students who need to take that route. The campus has an excellent library, Biology center, great security, and the food is prepped quite excellent. The main entrance is heavily guarded and temperatures and identification is checked every single time. The library has an enormous collection of Native American history books to choose from. The aid this university offers to it's students is top notch. It has a great many resources for those that actively seek it out. The athletics department is also excellent with a former NFL player heading the program. It also has a transportation program available for those needing it from distant communities. As of right now, I think the only thing I would like to see change is having more accredited/qualified instructors come to the university to head different programs.... Read 244 reviews

• grade C

• grade A

• Acceptance rate 100%

• Net price $8,083

• SAT range —