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If you’re planning to attend Yale University, one of the most prestigious and competitive Ivy League schools in the US, you might be wondering how much it costs to live on campus. Living in a dorm can be a great way to experience the Yale community, enjoy the convenience of being close to your classes and facilities, and make lifelong friends. But it also comes with a price tag that varies depending on the type of room and meal plan you choose. In this post, we’ll break down the dorm costs at Yale and compare them to other similar schools, so you can make an informed decision about your housing options.
The cost of living in a Yale dorm ranges from $7,260 to $17,680 per semester, depending on the room type. The cost of a meal plan ranges from $330 to $4,140 per semester, depending on the number of meals per week.
Here are some more details about the dorm costs at Yale:
Dorm Room Options at Yale
Yale offers several types of dorm rooms for its undergraduate and graduate students, each with different features and prices. The dorms are located within 14 residential colleges, each with its own dining hall, library, common room, and other amenities. The residential colleges also organize various social and academic events for their members, creating a sense of belonging and identity.
The following table summarizes the different types of dorm rooms at Yale and their costs per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year:
Room Type | Features | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|
Small | Single room with shared bathroom | $7,260 |
Medium | Single or double room with shared bathroom | $7,786 |
Large | Single or double room with shared bathroom | $8,616 |
Extra Large | Single or double room with shared bathroom | $9,580 |
Special | Single or double room with private bathroom or kitchenette | $10,346 |
Efficiency | Single room with private bathroom and kitchenette | $13,894 |
One Bedroom Suite | Single or double room with private bathroom and kitchenette | $17,680 |
Two Bedroom Suite | Two single rooms with shared bathroom and kitchenette | $9,672 – $10,762 (per bedroom) |
Note that some dorms have a one-year residency limit, such as 272 Elm (for first-year graduate students only), Harkness Hall, Helen Hadley Hall, 254 Prospect, 276 Prospect, and Mansfield Apartments.
Meal Plan Options at Yale
Yale also offers several meal plan options for its students, ranging from full to flexible to off-campus plans. The meal plans allow students to access any of the 14 residential college dining halls, as well as Commons and The Bow Wow at Yale Schwarzman Center and Steep Café. The dining halls serve a variety of cuisines and cater to different dietary needs and preferences.
The following table summarizes the different types of meal plans at Yale and their costs per semester for the 2023-2024 academic year:
Meal Plan | Eligible Students | Meals Per Week | Lunch Transfers Per Week | Guest Swipes Per Semester | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Full (21) | Required for First Years; Undergraduate Students (On & Off Campus) | 21 (three meals per day, seven days per week) | Five (Monday-Friday) at Yale Schwarzman Center (Commons and The Bow Wow) and Steep Café | Five (Residential dining halls only) | $4,140 |
Flex (14) | Upper-level Students; Undergraduate Students (On & Off Campus) | 14 (choose from breakfast, brunch, lunch and dinner) | None | Five (Residential dining halls only) | $3,400 |
Connect (Off-Campus) | Off-Campus Students; Automatically enrolled | None; Bonus Meals and Points provided for on-campus dining options | None | None; Points can be used for guests | $1,000 |
Grad 30 (30 Meals) | Graduate Students | Any 30 meals at Commons and The Bow Wow at Yale Schwarzman Center | None | None; Points can be used for guests | $330 |
How Do Dorm Costs at Yale Compare to Other Schools?
Yale is not the only Ivy League school that offers dorms and meal plans for its students. Other similar schools also have their own housing options and prices that may vary depending on the location, size, quality, and availability of the rooms and food services. Here are some examples of how dorm costs at Yale compare to other schools:
- Harvard University: The cost of living in a Harvard dorm ranges from $11,364 to $17,682 per semester1, depending on the room type. The cost of a meal plan ranges from $3,130 to $6,755 per semester1, depending on the number of meals per week. Harvard is ranked higher than Yale in the QS World University Rankings, but also has a higher faculty/student ratio and a lower research impact.
- Princeton University: The cost of living in a Princeton dorm ranges from $5,090 to $10,180 per semester, depending on the room type. The cost of a meal plan ranges from $2,860 to $7,220 per semester, depending on the number of meals per week. Princeton is ranked lower than Yale in the QS World University Rankings, but has a lower faculty/student ratio and a higher research impact.
- Stanford University: The cost of living in a Stanford dorm ranges from $9,750 to $12,750 per semester, depending on the room type. The cost of a meal plan ranges from $1,950 to $6,300 per semester, depending on the number of meals per week. Stanford is ranked higher than Yale in the QS World University Rankings, and has similar faculty/student ratio and research impact.
FAQs
- Q: How can I apply for a dorm room at Yale?
- A: You can apply for a dorm room at Yale through the Self-Service Portal2, which requires an activated Yale NetID and password. You will need to fill out a housing application and then participate in the room selection process, which is first come, first serve. The housing application for the 2023-2024 academic year will open on April 1st, and the room selection will open on April 19th for matched roommates and April 20th for all others.
- Q: How can I save money on dorm costs at Yale?
- A: There are some ways to save money on dorm costs at Yale, such as choosing a smaller or shared room, opting for a lower meal plan, applying for financial aid or scholarships, or living off-campus. However, you should also consider the benefits of living in a dorm, such as convenience, community, safety, and access to facilities and services.
Conclusion
Living in a dorm at Yale can be an enriching and rewarding experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the Yale culture and community. However, it also comes with a significant cost that varies depending on the type of room and meal plan you choose. You should compare the dorm costs at Yale with other similar schools and weigh the pros and cons of each option before making your decision. If you’re ready to apply for a dorm room at Yale, you can visit this link to start your application process. For more information and tips on dorm living, visit DormInfo.com, your ultimate guide to college dorms.