Friday, February 1, 2008
Benjamin Franklin once said the only two certain things in life were death and taxes.
But as college students know, he left out tuition, books and housing fees.
Going to college can be rather expensive, but students do have an option when it comes to where to live. Living on and off campus can be expensive, and there are many factors to consider.
breakbox
The yearly costs of living on or off campus — Residence halls: $3,224 to $4,564 — Jayhawker Towers: $2,574 to $4,508 — Scholarship halls: $4,288 to $4,504 — Meadowbrook Apartments: $6,540 to $6,960 (for a one-bedroom)
The University’s tuition Web site estimates, with the new four-year tuition contract, an in-state freshman taking 15 credit hours was expected to pay about $17,946 for the 2007-2008 school year.
This figure includes $6,390 for tuition under the four-year contract, which provides a fixed tuition rate for four years.
The figure also includes $756 for required campus fees, $6,230 for housing, $750 for books and supplies, $1,638 for transportation, and $2,182 for unspecified personal expenses.
The housing costs can differ, however. The $6,230 figure is an average and includes both a residence hall charge and a meal plan charge.
Residence halls can range from $3,224 to $4,564. Jayhawker Towers go down to $2,574 for a four-person apartment.
Meal plans at Mrs. E’s or Oliver Dining Center cost anywhere from $2,020 to $3,290.
Scholarship halls cost from $4,288 to $4,504 per year, which includes meals.
Scholarship halls are the cheapest option to live on campus.
If a student lives on campus, they might also want to purchase a parking pass, which costs $160. A Park and Ride permit costs $205.
If a student decides to purchase a bus pass, it will costs $140 for a year.
But students also have the option to live off-campus.
Erin Hurlock, a leasing agent at Meadowbrook Apartments on Bob Billings Parkway, said that the one-bedroom apartment costs between $545 and $580 per month. Cable, trash, sewer, and water bills are paid for by Meadowbrook.
The one-bedroom apartment is Meadowbrook’s most common apartment.
Those figures come out to between $6,540 and $6,960 per year. This does not include food.
If other necessities like gas and groceries are added to this cost, it ends up being far more expensive than living on campus.
But that is not without its pluses. Hurlock, who is not a KU student, said that if she were, she would much rather live off campus.
“I like quietness,” Hurlock said.
Liliya Aznaurova, a Overland Park medical student, lived in Meadowbrook last year and said loved it. She preferred the quiet atmosphere and not having a roommate.
“I loved living off campus and having my own place,” said Aznaurova in an e-mail.
Kristen Cartmill, Overland Park sophomore, says living on campus is “okay.” She lives in Templin Hall, but she’s moving off-campus next year.
“I want more space,” Cartmill said.
She does like the fact that the bus and food is right across the street, and thinks living off campus is more expensive.
There are also “opportunity costs,” or things you can’t really put a price on. For instance, if a student lives off-campus, the opportunity to eat on campus is lost. The opportunity to walk to class and save money on gas is lost. The opportunity to be a part of the unique social atmosphere is lost.
So, while it may end up being cheaper in the long run to live on campus, it’s ultimately up to the student.
Or to the parents.
—Edited by Jared Duncan
How to hunt for an apartment
Simplify your search for a place to live with these four easy ...
Editorial: Students can take action against housing ...
If students are against housing and dining increases, they should take actions ...
Housing, meal costs increase
Regents approve tuition hike, technology fee
State now pays less for education than the University's students.
Stouffer Place apartments in decay
Residents complain about cold apartments, slow progress on repairs
Some upperclassmen choose to live on campus
New lights could make neighborhood safer
Six student organizations are working with the city to install lighting near ...
Hartz: Choice of housing is important
Students must make difficult choices when deciding where to live.
Hudson: Out-of-state students hampered by steep tuition
More applicants could be gained from lower rate
Campus living helps transition to apartments
Students find that living in dorms help ease into living off-campus.
Tuition compact approved
Plan will guarantee frozen four-year tuition for incoming freshmen.
Access for all: Becoming an inclusive campus
Students and administrators expand on accessibility issues at the University.
Editorial: Proposed tuition freeze bests four-year compact
The tuition compact doesn't save money; rather, it helps students predict long-run ...
ResNet outsourced to Apogee
Apogee, the country’s largest residential network internet provider, takes over Internet service ...
Campus cuisine now costs more
Recent increases in Dining Services prices and state sales tax combine for ...
Princeton Review names KU a ‘Best Value ...
The title is awarded to universities based on academics, cost, financial aid, ...
Editorial: International grad students deserve on-campus housing
Prof. salaries cause of proposed tuition increase
Sophomores will not be affected by the change, but others may experience ...
‘Generation Debt’ afflicting students
KU students are finding it difficult to foot the bill of increasing ...
Balancing act
Students prove that attending class and working a job on the side ...
Letter to the Editor: Don’t blame books ...
Recent debate about bookstores and professors not the source of problems in ...
Pet owners struggle finding housing options
Even pet-friendly apartments have restrictions and costs to put limits on animal ...
University proposes room-and-board increase
The University Department of Housing is proposing a 2.5 percent increase, which ...
Students become more dependant on loans
Most current students don’t consider post-graduation income when borrowing money for college.
Tuition bills increase; wallets shrink
Consider your options before diving into a ...
Students have on-campus help filing taxes
Legal Services for Students and Student Union Activities team up as April ...
Data shows study abroad myth is untrue
Students who study abroad are more likely to graduate in four years ...
Facing the music
For 13 students sued by the music industry, the risks of illegal ...
New bill eases college costs
President Bush signed a new bill on Thursday that will relieve students ...
Coalitions offer their platforms to campus
ConnectKU, Students of Liberty, and United Students hope to appeal to students ...
Lytton: Independent study fails to deliver under ...
Time limits on independent study courses prevent them from being as helpful ...
Leaving a lasting legacy
As Hemenway prepares to retire, he and others look back at how ...
Studying abroad limits options
Summer institute students a step ahead of ...
Incoming freshman participating in the Freshman Summer Institute learn to adapt to ...
Campus buses offer fewer routes to students ...
In response to a decreased number of passengers and a host of ...
From foster child to college grad
Former foster children face a difficult road in college.
Departments feel the pinch of budget cuts
Groups around campus rely on different solutions for budget woes.
Regents vote for fixed tuition
The Kansas Board of Regents moved one step closer to giving students ...
Letter to the Editor: Bus service running ...
Accomplishments of bussing service are more than meet the eye
From left: Kimberlee Hinkle, Libby Johnson and Hannah ...
1 comment
Kansas Jayhawk fans hold aloft a reproduction of ...
2 comments
Erin Saupe, a Ph.D. student from St. Cloud, ...
1 comment
0 comments
Armed robbers continue to threaten.
3 comments
Lecture from Greg Mortenson, co-author of New York ...
0 comments
Comments
On and off
It is much cheaper to live off campus. Of course you can find one of the higher priced apartment complexes and live on your own, but you'll be paying way more by not splitting utilities or rent. I've lived in 4 different places off campus and never paid more than $275/month for rent. You can still have your own room and privacy while sharing costs with housemates. This makes utilities very reasonable. Food is much cheaper to buy off campus as well. Students pay nearly $7 per meal on the University plan. I also don't buy a parking pass and find spots on side streets or if it's a nice day, walk the two miles. All it takes is a little research and frugal living and you can live much cheaper than on campus.
Sign in to comment
Or login with:
OpenID