If you are planning to attend Indiana University of Pennsylvania (IUP), you might be wondering how much it costs to live in a dorm on campus. Living on campus has many benefits, such as convenience, community, and safety. But it also comes with a price tag that varies depending on the type of dorm room and meal plan you choose. In this post, we will break down the dorm costs at IUP and compare them with other similar schools.

The cost of living in a dorm at IUP ranges from $3,871 to $5,265 per semester for the room, plus $977 to $1,810 per semester for the meal plan.

Dorm Room Options at IUP

IUP offers six different styles of living units in its suite-style residence halls, which are Delaney, Putt, Suites on Maple East and Ruddock Hall, Northern Suites, Suites on Pratt, Wallwork Hall, and Stephenson Hall. The suites are equipped with microwaves, refrigerators, wifi, carpeting, and private or shared bathrooms. The room types and their costs per semester are as follows:

In addition to the room cost, suites residents also have to pay a nonrefundable Commons Fee of $125 per semester, which covers the maintenance and upkeep of the common and community spaces.

The only traditional hall on campus is Whitmyre Hall, which offers double or single rooms with shared bathrooms on each floor. Whitmyre Hall also has a limited number of deluxe double rooms, which are larger than regular double rooms and have sinks in them. The room costs per semester for Whitmyre Hall are as follows:

Meal Plan Options at IUP

IUP offers four different meal plans for on-campus students and four different meal plans for off-campus students. The meal plans include a number of meals per week or per semester that can be used at any of the dining locations on campus. The meal plans also include Flex Dollars that can be used at any dining location or vending machine on campus. The meal plans and their costs per semester are as follows:

The meal cash credit for fall 2021 and spring 2022 is $6. This means that if you use your meal plan at a dining location that charges more than $6 for an item or a combo meal, you will only pay the difference between the actual price and the meal cash credit.

How Do Dorm Costs at IUP Compare to Other Schools?

To see how dorm costs at IUP compare to other similar schools in Pennsylvania and nearby states, we looked at the average room and board costs for public four-year colleges in the region. According to the College Board, the average room and board cost for public four-year colleges in Pennsylvania was $12,660 for the 2020-2021 academic year. The average room and board cost for public four-year colleges in the Mid-East region, which includes Delaware, District of Columbia, Maryland, New Jersey, New York, and Pennsylvania, was $13,210 for the same year.

Based on these averages, dorm costs at IUP are lower than the regional and state averages. For example, if you choose the two-person shared semi-suite with the Plan 19F meal plan, your total cost per semester would be $5,085 ($4,150 + $125 + $1,810). This means that your total cost per year would be $10,170, which is $2,490 less than the state average and $3,040 less than the regional average.

Of course, dorm costs vary depending on the specific school and the type of room and meal plan you choose. Some schools may offer more amenities or more flexibility in their housing and dining options. Therefore, it is important to compare not only the prices but also the features and benefits of each school’s dorm offerings.

FAQs

Q: Can I change my room or meal plan after I sign up?

A: Yes, you can change your room or meal plan after you sign up, but there are some deadlines and fees involved. For room changes, you can request a room change online through MyIUP during the first two weeks of each semester. There is a $50 fee for each room change request. For meal plan changes, you can change your meal plan online through MyIUP until the end of the second week of classes each semester. There is no fee for changing your meal plan.

Q: What are some tips to save money on dorm costs at IUP?

A: Some tips to save money on dorm costs at IUP are:

• Choose a room type that fits your budget and needs. For example, if you don’t mind sharing a room with another student, you can save money by choosing a double room instead of a single or private room.
• Choose a meal plan that matches your eating habits and preferences. For example, if you don’t eat breakfast or eat out often, you can save money by choosing a lower meal plan that gives you more Flex Dollars to spend as you wish.
• Take advantage of the discounts and promotions offered by the dining services. For example, you can get 10% off when you use Flex Dollars at any dining location or vending machine on campus.
• Use your meal cash credit wisely. For example, you can get more value for your money by using your meal plan at dining locations that offer items or combo meals that cost more than $6.

Conclusion

Living in a dorm at IUP can be a rewarding and affordable experience. You can enjoy the convenience, community, and safety of living on campus while choosing from a variety of room types and meal plans that suit your needs and budget. Compared to other similar schools in the region, dorm costs at IUP are lower than average and offer a good value for money. If you are interested in living in a dorm at IUP, you can sign up for housing online through this link. For more information about dorm costs at IUP and other colleges, visit DormInfo.com.