‘Case for Campus Housing’ Study Finds Benefits to Living on Campus

First-year students who live on campus are 2% more likely to continue on to their second year than those who do not, according to a new report, “The Case for Campus Housing,” from the Association of College and University Housing Officers – International (ACUHO-I).

ACUHO-I says that difference could be due to the proximity of learning experiences and opportunities while in residence halls, including “the ability to attend classes, interact with faculty, meet with advisors, study and do projects with other students, use academic support services, and attend social, diversity-related, and wellness activities.”

Among other findings, the study also found that many students of color (Asian, Black, and multiracial) who picked their roommates perceived a “significantly and substantially more” welcoming campus environment. However, the study notes, only 25% of students of color choose their own roommates as compared to 40% of white students.

“With a diverse data set of 33,000 respondents from 76 residential institutions, this is the most
comprehensive study of the student housing experience in decades,” said Dr. Robert M. Gonyea, associate director of the Center for Postsecondary Research and co-author of the report.