Northwestern University
- Campus Housing

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Northwestern University - Campus Housing - Campus Housing - College ProwlerCollege Prowler3.08

Campus Housing

Quick Stats

On-Campus Housing Available? Yes
Campus Housing Capacity 5,980
Average Housing Costs $6,963
Freshmen Required to Live on Campus? Yes
Undergrads Living On Campus 65%
Freshmen Living On Campus 99%
Number of Dormitories 27
Number of Campus-Owned Apartments 0
Best Freshman Dorms
  • Allison Hall
  • Bobb-McCullough Hall
  • Elder Residential Community
  • Willard Hall
Best Upperclassman Dorms Kemper Hall
Worst Freshman Dorms
  • North Mid-Quads (NMQ)
  • Slivka Hall
  • South Mid-Quads (SMQ)
Worst Upperclassman Dorms
  • Bobb-McCullough Hall
  • Foster-Walker Complex

Student Author OverviewWhat's This?

When it comes down to it, housing at Northwestern rides on one choice: North or South Campus? North Campus is known for two things: partying and engineering. Weird, right? The fraternity houses are all up north, as is Tech. So you are bound to find hard-partying frat guys and engineers who prefer to study. North Campus is also home to the biggest party dorm on campus: Bobb-McCullough Hall (known to students as "Bobb"). According to a recent study, Bobb is one of the biggest party dorms in America. South Campus students know how to kick back and have some fun, too, though. Allison Hall and Willard Residential College are known to have their fair share of wild nights. Overall, though, South Campus is a bit quieter, and is home to many theater, journalism, and humanities students. Since most students tend to eat and hang out on the side of campus they live on, there is bound to be a large chunk of the student body that rarely comes into contact with each other. However, many students make friends on the other side of Foster just fine.

Another important distinction to make is the difference between a residence hall and a residential college. Residential colleges are smaller themed dorms that focus on specific interests; students tend to develop a real sense of community, and events are planned for residents throughout the year. "Res colleges" are mainly set up suite style, where six or so rooms share a lounge and a bathroom. Residence halls are much bigger and have communal lounges and a bathroom per floor. Ultimately, the decision of where you want to live comes down to your interests and what you are looking for from a living space—community, partying, or a short walk to class.

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Northwestern University Student ReviewsWhat's This?

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Campus Housing at Northwestern University

moreforthat

English '15

4.2
A-

Enjoyed Dorm Life Much More Than I Thought I Would

Cost is a bit high (like everything at Northwestern), but there are a bunch of options for freshman dorms, and I've definitely enjoyed dorm life. South campus is very close to downtown Evanston and humanities classes, while North campus is closer to science classes and also the better gym. Residential colleges provide a nice sense of community, although I know a lot of people perfectly happy in res halls as well.

Jan 23, 2012

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Campus Housing at Northwestern University

sethumz

Music Performance '14

4.2
A-

Variety

I like the on-campus housing situation at Northwestern because each dorm is different. Some dorms are incredibly social, while in other dorms people never even meet their neighbors. A lot of the rooms are too small, but the amount of students in each dorm is small enough that you should never feel overwhelmed.

Dec 29, 2011

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Campus Housing at Northwestern University

Jdkatzy1

Business Administration and Management '14

2.3
C

Housing Isn't Great

The campus housing is extremely expensive and usually pretty small. The best dorms are BOB and Elder and they are probably the worst dorms to live in, but are the best social dorms. They all pretty much suck but they are livable. Allison is the nicest dorm, but it is really far away from any parties.

Dec 18, 2011

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User rating for Northwestern University - Campus Housing is 3.5 out of 5 based on 26 user reviews.

Student Survey Poll ResultsWhat's This?

Rate campus housing on the following subjects

Facts

Types of Housing Offered
  • Coed dorms
  • Fraternity/sorority housing
  • Men's dorms
  • Theme housing
  • Wellness housing
  • Women's dorms
Room Types
  • Doubles
  • Quads
  • Singles
  • Suites
  • Triples
Bed Types
  • Bunkable beds
  • Twin extra-long
What You Get
  • Bed
  • Closet
  • Desk
Also Available
  • 626 Emerson (Phi Mu Alpha fraternity house)
  • 720 Emerson (Sigma Alpha Iota sorority house)
  • Northwestern recently opened gender neutral housing. Here, males and females can be roommates. For the time being, the options are very limited and only offered in select areas of "Plex" (Foster-Walker).

Cleaning Service

There’s a cleaning staff present five days a week. They keep all common areas neat and clean.

Did You Know? Residents can paint the walls of their sleeping rooms if they sign a room painting agreement, which can be obtained from the Housekeeping Office in the lobby of Foster-Walker.

DormitoriesWhat's This?

1835 Hinman
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Semi-suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenettes, Interfaith Hall, library, on-site dining hall and convenience store, study lounges, TV lounge, vending machines

2251 Sheridan
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, compost bin, sensor lights, solar generator, study lounges, TV lounge; home to GREEN House theme housing

584 Lincoln
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, main lounge, TV lounge

Allison Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Air conditioning, carpeting, lounges, recreation room with pool tables, seminar rooms, study room, TV lounge, vending machines

Bobb-McCullough Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Doubles, triples
Special Features: Air conditioning, bike storage, carpeting, lounges, recreation room, study room, vending machine

Chapin Hall
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, computer lab, library, lounge, vending machines; home to Humanities Residential College

College of Cultural & Community Studies (CCS)
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, classroom, community kitchenette, computer lab, living room, recreation room, TV lounge

East Fairchild
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Semi-suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, computer lab, darkroom, lounge, radio studio, seminar room, vending machines, video editing lab; home to Communications Residential College (CRC)

Elder Residential Community
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Air conditioning, bike storage, carpeting, community kitchen, lounges, music practice rooms, on-site dining hall, recreation room, study rooms, TV rooms, vending machines

Foster House
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: No, men only
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles
Special Features: Carpeting, lounge, recreation room, TV room, vending machines

Foster-Walker Complex (Plex)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 500–749
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, quads
Special Features: Air conditioning, carpeting, community kitchenette, lounges, recreation room with ping-pong and pool tables

Goodrich House
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, living room, study lounges, TV room

Hobart House
Floors: 2
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: No, women only
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Carpeting (first floor), community kitchenette, computer lab, library, living room, terrazzo floor (second and third floors), TV rooms, vending machines; home to Women’s Residential College

Jones Fine & Performing Arts Residential College
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Semi-suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Arts & crafts studios, carpeting, community kitchenette, computer lab, dance studio, music practice rooms, performance room, vending machines

Kemper Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites (singles, doubles)
Special Features: Air conditioning, carpeting, classroom, community kitchenettes, lounge, TV lounge

Lindgren House
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, living room, recreation room, TV room, vending machines

North Mid-Quads Hall (NMQ)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, recreation room with foosball, TV lounge, vending machines

Public Affairs Residential College (PARC)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Semi-suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Air conditioning, carpeting, community kitchenette, computer lab, lounge, seminar room, TV lounge, vending machines

Rogers House
Floors: 3
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Living room, recreation room with ping-pong table, terrazzo floors, TV room

Sargent Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, main lounge, on-site dining hall, recreation room, vending machines

Seabury Hall
Floors: 2
Number of Occupants: 20–49
Bathrooms: Suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites (singles)
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, on-site convenience store, TV lounge

Shepard Hall
Floors: 5
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Air conditioning, carpeting, classroom, computer lab, library, lounge, music practice rooms, recreation room with ping-pong table, TV lounge, vending machines

Slivka Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Suites (singles, doubles)
Special Features: Air conditioning, bike storage, carpeting, community kitchenette, lounge, music room, on-site café, recreation room, study lounge, science and engineering lab; home to Science and Engineering Residential College

South Mid-Quads Hall (SMQ)
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 50–99
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenettes, recreation room, TV room, vending machines

Thomas G. Ayers Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Air conditioning, bike storage, carpeting, community kitchenettes, computer lab, library, recreation room, seminar room, TV lounge, vending machines; home to the College of Commerce and Industry (ACCI)

West Fairchild
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 100–249
Bathrooms: Semi-suite
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles
Special Features: Carpeting, community kitchenette, computer lab, lounge, seminar room, TV lounge, vending machines; home to International Studies Residential College (ISRC)

Willard Hall
Floors: 4
Number of Occupants: 250–499
Bathrooms: Communal
Coed: Yes
Residents: Freshmen and upperclassmen
Room Types: Singles, doubles, triples
Special Features: Carpeting, computer lab, library, lounge, meeting space with overhead projector, on-site dining hall and convenience store, piano, recreation room with pool table, TV lounge, vending machines

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Most Recent Student Author View all

Name
Shayna Starr
Hometown
Houston, Texas
Major
Journalism
Grad Year
2014

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