Updated on August 21st, 2023
As the academic year begins, a new batch of high school seniors typically set their sights on college. They start reviewing options, identifying costs, and preparing their applications for admission (if they haven’t done so already).
When reviewing costs at each school, room, and board is a common line item on the list, especially for students who plan to go to college away from home.
But what is room and board exactly, and how much will it cost?
If you and your student are unfamiliar with the term, here’s everything you need to know.
- What is Room and Board?
- How Much Does Room and Board Cost?
- Is Room and Board Cost Effective?
- How to Make Room and Board More Affordable
- How to Pay for Room and Board
If you and your student would like to learn precisely where to find scholarships, and what steps are needed to help them secure them, check out our free scholarship training webinar: 6 Steps to Quickly Security Scholarships for College
What is Room and Board?
In its simplest form, room and board is a roof over your student’s head and food in their belly.
If you prefer the dictionary definition, the answer to “what is room and board” is: lodging and food usually furnished for a set price or as part of wages.
The “room” portion of the room and board definition usually relates to their housing, such as a college dorm room. It is where they will sleep, study, stream Netflix, and hang out with friends.
Some public colleges also make living on-campus mandatory for students, especially if they aren’t local. This makes it easier for them to adapt to college life and makes sure they live near their school, eliminating problems like transportation issues that could hinder their ability to attend classes.
However, just because the word “room” is used to describe the students living arrangement, that doesn’t mean they get an entirely private space. Shared dorm rooms are still part of the room and board equation.
On a good note, basic furniture is usually provided, though exactly what your student will have access to varies depending on their dorm room assignment and even the school they attend.
Now that the “room” portion of the “what is room and board” question is covered, it’s time to address the “board” part.
In most cases, “board” stands for your student’s meal plan. Many schools offer a few options, ranging from a set number of meals per day to unlimited access to the college’s dining room.
The food and beverages are provided through cafeterias or similar dining facilities more often than not. This means your student doesn’t always have much control regarding what is available to eat or drink, but they are guaranteed to have access to food, based on their chosen meal plan.
However, most colleges offer a range of options on any given day. Plus, many are respectful of potential dietary restrictions, providing at least one entrée that can suit various needs or preferences at each meal.
Typically, a meal plan is a matter of convenience. If your child is hungry and has meals available that day, they can head down and get what they need without an additional cost.
Some colleges do require that incoming freshmen sign up for a meal plan if they also make living in a dorm room mandatory, so it’s important to keep that in mind.
Related articles:
- How to Save Thousands on Student Housing Costs
- Dorm Room Checklist & How to Set Up on a Budget
- 75 Easy Ways to Save Money in College
How Much Does Room and Board Cost?
Now that you have an answer to the “what is room and board” question, it’s time to move on to the next part of the equation – the cost.
The total cost of room and board varies by school. However, if your student is heading away to college, it’s important to understand that it is usually substantial.
On average, during the 2022-2023 school year, students spent $11,520 on room and board at public four-year institutions. At private nonprofit four-year colleges and universities, the average cost goes up to $13,028.
That means, for in-state students at public four-year schools, the average cost of room and board actually exceeds the average price of tuition, which was listed at $10,560
However, some schools charge notably more than the average amount for room and board. For example, the University of California – Berkeley charges about $20,576 for room and board.
On the other end, Northwestern Oklahoma State University charges $5,700 for a semi-private room and 12 meals per week.
Often, the actual cost of room and board is somewhat variable. If a school offers multiple meal plan options, then your student may pay more or less than those estimates.
Is Room and Board Cost-Effective?
Whether paying for room and board is more cost-effective than living off-campus depends on a few factors. First, the area’s cost-of-living plays a big role, particularly when it comes to rental prices near your student’s college as well as food costs. In some cases, living off-campus may be more affordable, especially if your child splits these and other expenses up with roommates.
Second, it’s important to consider the convenience of these arrangements. Even if your student is paying more by living and eating on campus housing, certain hassles are automatically eliminated. For example, they don’t have to pay separate utility bills like electricity, water, garbage, and even internet is included with most dorm rooms and on-campus apartments.
Additionally, if their meal plan provides them with enough meals every day, they don’t have to go to the grocery store or even cook, which can be a big timesaver. Plus, they don’t have to transport themselves to and from campus to meet their basic needs.
Finally, depending on the school, paying for room and board might not be optional. If your student is required to live on-campus, then it’s simply an expense they will have to shoulder.
How to Make Room and Board More Affordable
Now that the question, “what is room and board and what will it cost,” is addressed, it’s important to understand that there are ways to make it more affordable.
For example, your student can save money on room and even board fees by selecting lower-cost dorm rooms. A private room always costs more than a shared space, so dealing with a roommate can help them save. Colleges also typically charge more for newer dorms so, while they may not be as updated, choosing an older dorm can save thousands of dollars in the end. And actually, those crazy dorm stories from the “old dorms” usually build camaraderie among new students. 😉
Similarly, opting for a meal plan that covers their needs, but maybe not their wants, can also help to lower the total amount spent.
How to Pay for Room and Board
When staying on campus, the cost of room and board is included in the total bill through the university (compared to paying rent separately if living off campus). Typically, this means any overage money or loan money remaining after tuition and fees will be applied to the room and board balance.
It’s is also possible to cover these costs without student loans.
Of course, many families choose not to borrow for the cost of living expenses like room and board but instead try to use cash to pay for this part of the college experience. With flexible part-time jobs, students can help contribute to the cost of college themselves.
Even better, students can search for scholarship money to help cover the bill. Many scholarships allow students to direct their awards to handle a variety of school expenses, room and board included. This means your student might not have to come out of pocket to keep a roof over their head, the power on, and food in the belly.
I personally received enough scholarship money to cover not only college tuition costs, fees, and books but also my room and board (plus an overage check for extra expenses). So it is possible!
If you and your student would like to learn precisely where to find scholarships and what steps are needed to help them secure them, check out our free scholarship training webinar: 6 Steps to Quickly Security Scholarships for College
By landing scholarships and financial aid, your student can cover their room and board costs, ensuring they have everything they need to succeed in college.
Nice post!
I appreciate how you systematically addressed each one of the various considerations parents and students might have when trying to make wise decisions about room and board. Living on campus can be expensive, but it prevents other potential hassles such as utilities, internet and transportation issues.
We will be going into our 4th yr in college and everything discussed above is right on the money…
This is a great post. However, families need to be aware that scholarships over and above tuition, fees and books are taxed at the parents’ tax rate. It was a nasty surprise for us and I want to spread the word so other parents are not surprised like we were.