If you’ve started looking at universities and thinking about where you’d like to study, you’re probably planning your college expenses.
Of course, everyone knows how expensive it is to go to college, but don’t forget about your room and board, another expense you must consider. Discover more about why room and board are so costly when heading to college!
Why Are Room And Board So Expensive?
Room and board are expensive because of the facility, utility, and maintenance costs associated with operating a facility for students. Room and board provide easy access to school and offer a good meal plan for everyone. In addition is the peace of mind it can provide to parents of college students.
If you’re like any other students or parents wondering how room and board have become so expensive, here are 11 reasons. Read more!
1. Room And Board Utility Costs
Of course, any room accommodation needs electricity, water, internet, and other utilities; without these, a room is nothing but a room, even with all the furniture on it.
As a result, for a room and board to have an income, they have to provide a space, especially for students, with the complete utility service.
That said, having electricity, water, internet, and other essential utility will make a room accommodating and ready for occupancy but will result in a higher room price.
2. Room And Board Maintenance Costs
Another factor that makes room and board expensive is the maintenance costs; of course, just like a house that needs proper maintenance, a room accommodation requires maintenance too.
For example, air condition maintenance and other preventative or routine maintenance ensure everything is running perfectly for the convenience of everyone.
Of course, maintenance services have a significant amount that the management needs to pay; this factor is crucial to control future issues that may impair the operation of the whole place.
3. Room And Board Facilities
Easy access to laundry and dry cleaning areas, electrical appliances, kitchen and dining area, lounges or TV rooms, 24/7 security, and other facilities are essential to room occupancy.
But, having access to all of these would constitute a considerable amount of money in exchange for your convenience.
Clearly, these will all add up to what you will pay for if you choose to have a room and board to stay for your college years.
4. Room And Board Allows Easy Access To School
Because student housing is typically located near the school campus, staying in a student house allows you to have easy access to school for classes.
In rare circumstances, you might even have classrooms and facilities in the same building where you are staying.
So, this provision comes with a price, among the factors that make room and board even more pricey.
5. Room And Board Provides Convenience
Of course, staying where you only have to walk a few steps for every class is convenient.
Additionally, it eliminates the need to travel every day; you don’t have to wake up so early for your first class and rush going to school because you are already on campus.
As a result of this convenience, expect that student housing facilities usually have a higher price range.
6. Room And Board Sufficient Meal Plan
One of the most significant distinctions throughout high school and college happens during mealtime.
So, you will no longer have meals with your family at the table. Instead, you’ll decide your meal choices in the college dining hall.
As a result, you’ll almost certainly need a meal plan for your college years that will be included in your room and board expenses.
7. Room And Board Laundry And Ironing Services
Laundry and ironing services help those students who can’t do their laundry; it is one of the amenities student housing offers.
Of course, this feature will add to the expenses for room accommodation as you will not just stay inside a room forever but must change your clothes daily.
As a result, adding this feature to your college expenses will make it convenient if you know you can’t do the laundry.
8. Room And Board Housekeeping
Naturally, students busy in school do not have the time to clean up their spaces; that’s why there is housekeeping to do that.
That said, housekeeping consists of cleaning the room and all common areas to ensure that the place is free of viruses and bacteria that can cause illness.
But, again, this comes with an additional amount for your room and board expenses.
9. Room And Board Is A Lifesaver
Room and board is absolutely a lifesaver as this will end all the fears of incoming college students.
Of course, despite the significant amount of money they need to spend on food and accommodation, most people wouldn’t mind it as they know its numerous advantages.
As a result, regardless of the cost, many students still choose to have room and board throughout their college journey.
10. Room And Board Promotes Socialization
Room and board promote socialization among occupants since they will encounter each other every day, from school to common areas of student housing.
So, if you’re an introvert and started living in school housing, you’ll overcome your fears of socializing as you will start living with people of the same age and interests.
Of course, you’ll be able to make new friends since you have no choice but to talk to them since you’re away from home and family.
11. Room And Board Provides Parents Peace Of Mind
Finally, room and board give every student’s parents peace of mind, knowing their daughter or son is in a good place.
Of course, as a parent, you want nothing but to give your child what they deserve. With room and board, typical parents will not worry whether their children have something to eat.
So, parents will feel confident that their children are in a perfect place to stay even if they are not around to care for them.
To learn more, you can also read our posts on why studio apartments are so expensive, why New York apartments are so expensive, and why townhomes are so expensive.
Conclusion
Room and board are expensive because of the convenience they can provide to all potential occupants.
Additionally, with room and board, you’ll have access to different meal plans, amenities, and facilities, which are essential to your college journey.