If you’re planning to attend the University of Texas at Austin, you might be wondering how much it costs to live in a dorm on campus. Dorm living can be a great way to make friends, get involved in campus activities, and enjoy the convenience of being close to your classes. But it can also be a significant expense, depending on the type of room and meal plan you choose.
The average cost of living in a dorm at UT Austin is $13,111 per semester for a shared space with a community bath, and $15,805 per semester for a single space with a community bath.
These prices include both room and board, which covers your housing, utilities, internet, and meals. However, there are other options available that may suit your preferences and budget better.
UT Austin offers 15 on-campus residence halls, each with its own features, amenities, and community. You can choose from different room types, such as shared spaces with community or connecting baths, single spaces with community or connecting baths, or premium single spaces with connecting or private baths. The prices vary depending on the room type and the residence hall you select.
Here is a comparison chart of the room types and their costs per semester for the 2023-24 academic year:
Room Type | Features | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|
Shared space with community bath | Two beds, two desks, two chairs, two dressers, two closets; shared bathroom with other residents on the floor | $13,111 |
Jester shared space with community bath | Same as above, but in Jester East or West residence halls | $13,538 |
Shared space with connecting or private bath | Same as above, but with a bathroom shared with one or two other rooms | $13,967 |
Jester shared space with connecting or private bath | Same as above, but in Jester East or West residence halls | $14,396 |
San Jacinto or Duren shared space with connecting or private bath | Same as above, but in San Jacinto or Duren residence halls; more spacious and modern rooms | $16,543 |
Single with community bath | One bed, one desk, one chair, one dresser, one closet; shared bathroom with other residents on the floor | $15,805 |
Jester single with community bath | Same as above, but in Jester East or West residence halls | $16,234 |
Premium single with community bath | Same as above, but larger room size and more storage space | $18,501 |
Jester premium single with community bath | Same as above, but in Jester East or West residence halls | $18,929 |
Premium single with connecting or private bath | Same as above, but with a bathroom shared with one or two other rooms | $19,357 |
Duren single with private bath | Same as above, but in Duren residence hall; more spacious and modern room; private bathroom | $21,933 |
As you can see, the cost of living in a dorm at UT Austin can range from $13,111 to $21,933 per semester depending on the room type and the residence hall you choose. You can find more information about each residence hall and its features on the University Housing and Dining website.
Another factor that affects the cost of living in a dorm at UT Austin is the meal plan you choose. All students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan that gives them access to dining halls and other food venues on campus. There are three types of meal plans available: unlimited plans (U), dine-in dollar plans (D), and Bevo Pay plans (B).
Here is a comparison chart of the meal plans and their costs per semester for the 2023-24 academic year:
Meal Plan | Features | Cost Per Semester |
---|---|---|
U-150 | Unlimited access to dining halls; 150 dine-in dollars; 10% discount at other food venues | $2,750 |
U-100 | Unlimited access to dining halls; 100 dine-in dollars; 10% discount at other food venues | $2,550 |
U-50 | Unlimited access to dining halls; 50 dine-in dollars; 10% discount at other food venues | $2,350 |
D-2000 | 2000 dine-in dollars; 20% discount at dining halls; 10% discount at other food venues | $2,000 |
D-1600 | 1600 dine-in dollars; 20% discount at dining halls; 10% discount at other food venues | $1,600 |
D-1200 | 1200 dine-in dollars; 20% discount at dining halls; 10% discount at other food venues | $1,200 |
D-800 | 800 dine-in dollars; 20% discount at dining halls; 10% discount at other food venues | $800 |
B-1000 | 1000 Bevo Pay funds; 20% discount at dining halls; 10% discount at other food venues | $1,000 |
B-500 | 500 Bevo Pay funds; 20% discount at dining halls; 10% discount at other food venues | $500 |
As you can see, the cost of a meal plan at UT Austin can range from $500 to $2,750 per semester depending on the type and amount of plan you choose. You can find more information about each meal plan and its features on the University Housing and Dining website.
When deciding whether to live in a dorm at UT Austin, you might want to compare the costs and benefits of living on campus to those of living off campus or attending another school. According to College Factual, UT Austin students spend $18,036 to live on campus, which is over the national average of $15,282. However, this also includes other expenses such as books, supplies, transportation, and personal expenses.
The cost of living off campus in Austin can vary depending on the location, size, and quality of the apartment or house you rent. According to RentCafe, the average rent for an apartment in Austin is $1,610 per month as of October 2021. This means that you could pay around $12,880 for a nine-month academic year if you live alone. However, you could also save money by sharing an apartment with roommates or living in a cheaper area.
The cost of attending another school can also vary depending on the tuition, fees, room and board, and other expenses of that school. For example, according to College Factual, the average cost of attendance for an in-state student at Texas A&M University is $28,768 per year, which is lower than the average cost of attendance for an in-state student at UT Austin ($30,752-$34,174 per year). However, this also depends on the quality and reputation of the education and the opportunities and resources available at each school.
Ultimately, the decision of where to live and where to study depends on your personal preferences, goals, and budget. You should weigh the pros and cons of each option and consider factors such as convenience, comfort, safety, social life, academic support, career development, and financial aid.