When Housing Becomes the Hidden Fee at Rutgers University
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As tuition dominates conversations about college affordability, on-campus housing at Rutgers University, which can exceed $15,000 per year, is playing a central role in whether students enroll, commute, or step away.
Two freshmen, Haley at Rutgers University–Newark and Serena at Rutgers University–Camden, said housing costs significantly shaped their decisions.
Both said tuition was discussed early in the admissions process, while housing costs were introduced later. Neither recalled receiving detailed cost comparisons upfront. Haley chose Rutgers in part because of its affordability. Serena prioritized academic programs before deciding to commute to reduce expenses.
Rutgers publishes annual tuition, fee, and housing rates on its financial aid and student accounting websites. Archived university budget and cost-of-attendance pages show that around the 2014–2015 academic year, the estimated total cost of attendance for an in-state undergraduate living on campus was approximately $30,000, including tuition and mandatory fees, room and board, books, and personal expenses.
For the 2024–2025 academic year, university-published figures show the total cost of attendance for an in-state undergraduate living on campus approaching $40,000, depending on campus and housing assignment. Tuition and mandatory fees account for roughly half of that amount, while room and board make up a substantial share of the remainder. Annual increases of about 2–3% in tuition and housing rates have contributed to the overall rise over the past decade.
On-campus housing averages about $1,300 per month, and room and board can approach or exceed tuition depending on the campus and residence hall selection.
Haley said she initially believed financial aid would largely cover housing. After admission, she learned the full cost. Freshmen are typically assigned housing without having to select specific arrangements in advance. Haley was placed in an apartment-style dorm with three roommates:
“I didn’t even know what kind of housing I was getting until it happened,” she said.
Serena chose to commute and now uses public transportation while working part-time. As a first-generation college student, she said her family had limited experience navigating college systems.
“I don’t even remember having a real housing conversation,” Serena shared. “If anything could’ve helped, it would’ve been seeing prices upfront and having more resources for parents of first-gen students.”
Housing contract terms and payment policies are available online. Students are responsible for covering charges through financial aid or personal funds. Unpaid balances can result in financial holds or removal from housing.
Haley said she contacted One Stop and Financial Aid multiple times during her first semester to resolve housing charges and was asked to resubmit documents. The issue remained unresolved, and she did not return for the spring semester, taking a gap year.
Both students said orientation could include clearer explanations of housing costs, financial aid processes, and designated contacts for billing issues.
While tuition receives primary attention in affordability discussions, housing represents a substantial share of total attendance costs. Housing represents one of the largest financial commitments students make beyond tuition.
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