What Percent of College Students Live on Campus?

By Staff WriterLast Updated April 16, 2020

According to The College Board, 40 percent of full-time college students at public universities and 64 percent at private universities live on-campus. The remainder of students live off-campus or with their parents.

Several institutions have experienced difficulties in keeping up with the demand for on-campus housing. While upperclassmen have traditionally tended to live off-campus, many choose to return to or to stay in the dorms. School officials may encourage on-campus living, believing that it improves student life and increases academic success. There may also be cost savings because students do not have to provide furniture or pay for utilities, Internet, cable and other household expenses.