What Is Room and Board for College?

By Will Geiger

Will Geiger is the co-founder of Scholarships360 and has a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. He is a former Senior Assistant Director of Admissions at Kenyon College where he personally reviewed 10,000 admissions applications and essays. Will also managed the Kenyon College merit scholarship program and served on the financial aid appeals committee. He has also worked as an Associate Director of College Counseling at a high school in New Haven, Connecticut. Will earned his master’s in education from the University of Pennsylvania and received his undergraduate degree in history from Wake Forest University. Full Bio

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Bill Jack has over a decade of experience in college admissions and financial aid. Since 2008, he has worked at Colby College, Wesleyan University, University of Maine at Farmington, and Bates College. Full Bio

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Bill Jack

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Maria Geiger is Director of Content at Scholarships360. She is a former online educational technology instructor and adjunct writing instructor. In addition to education reform, Maria’s interests include viewpoint diversity, blended/flipped learning, digital communication, and integrating media/web tools into the curriculum to better facilitate student engagement. Maria earned both a B.A. and an M.A. in English Literature from Monmouth University, an M. Ed. in Education from Monmouth University, and a Virtual Online Teaching Certificate (VOLT) from the University of Pennsylvania. Full Bio

Maria Geiger

Updated: November 29th, 2023

When students think about the total cost of attending college, they sometimes forget that college is not one lump sum. Instead, there are different costs that make up the total cost of attendance. Tuition, room, and board are the three primary costs that students will come across when paying for college.

You might be wondering, what exactly am I paying for?

This is a good question, and important to understand. Tuition is pretty straightforward and refers to the cost of instruction. This can range from $10,000 per year for in-state public universities to almost $40,000 per year for private universities.

Room and board is a bit more misunderstood, so in this post we will discuss what room and board entails, what it might cost you, and how you pay for it. We will also discuss how you can save money on both your room fees and your board fees.

Don’t miss: How to save money on housing

What exactly is room and board?

If you have ever looked up what a college costs, you probably see a line item for “room and board.” But what exactly are you paying for as part of this fee?

Very simply, room and board refers to lodging and meals. After all, when you are attending college as a boarder, you will need a place to stay and food to eat.

For many students, room will include a campus dorm room. This is usually equipped with a bed and a desk. Students may have the option of having their own room, but will generally have a roommate (or two).

Board generally entails dining through a “meal plan.” Students can select a meal plan that gives them access to various on-campus dining options.

What does room and board cost?

The cost of room and board will vary from college to college, but the average cost of room and board was $11,500 for public institutions and $13,000 for private institutions.

Related: Where can I find student rent assistance?

How will I pay for room and board?

Room and board fees can be paid for through all types of financial aid, including scholarships, need-based grants, and student loans.

Can I save money on room and board?

Yes, you can! This is one of the prime areas where students can save serious amounts of money. Here are a few ways you save money (and even get your room fee completely covered):

Also see: How to save money in college

Always have a roommate

Generally, colleges charge more money for students who choose to live in a single room. Having a roommate (or two) on campus helps save you some money.

Get a smaller meal plan

Colleges give students the option to choose among several different meal plans. For example, an unlimited meal plan is going to be more expensive than a meal plan that gives you two meals a day. Think about your habits and pick a plan that makes sense.

Live at home

Commuting to college can be a great way to save money on meals and lodging. This may not be for everyone and not all colleges will offer this option, but you can save serious money. Remember, you may also be able to live at home for a year or two before moving on campus or getting your own place.

Get a job as a Resident Advisor

Working as a Resident Advisor or RA can be a great move for students who want to save money! At some colleges, RAs receive free or discounted housing, which can be a great way to save money. Some colleges may also offer an additional paid stipend for students who serve as RAs.

However, this varies from college to college and you will need to check-in with your college for details on how RAs are compensated. 

Choose an alternative living option

Some colleges may offer alternative living options for students, including cooperative housing. These options allow student to live on-campus, but generally allow the residents of the co-op or house to be responsible for cooking their own meals. For example, the University of Florida’s Cooperative Living Organization allows students to share living, cooking, and maintenance expenses. 

Frequently asked questions about room and board