These 21 College Dorms Are Nicer Than Your House

Years ago, dorms were little more than a place to sleep with a bed and a desk. Today it's all about housing, and some of that housing is spectacular. Amenities go far beyond a decent fridge and a stove. Think seaside condo-type dwellings with maid service and high-rise apartments with private saunas, gyms, jacuzzis, and upscale dining halls serving gourmet fare. Here are some college dorms that are nicer than your home.

All prices are approximate based on 2017 reports and differences in room options.

It's hard to believe that this upper-class student housing overlooking a pristine lake in Fort Myers isn't a hotel. The furnished apartments come in either four single-occupancy bedrooms or two double occupancy bedrooms, and all are equipped with two bathrooms, a kitchen, and a living room. There's also access to a fitness center, tennis courts, a pool, and an outdoor dining facility that includes Pizza by Design and Starbucks products. A bargain compared to other entries on this list, rooms here cost just under $5,000 per academic year.

Located in one of Thomas Jefferson's original buildings, The Lawn is one of the university's most prestigious living spaces. Each room has a bed, a desk, and a rocking chair, and many rooms have a fireplace. Though there is no kitchen, students can find whatever they need in one of three different dining halls. The bathrooms, however, are outside and a few minutes away. Bathroom issues aside, it is considered an honor to live at The Lawn for $7,000 per academic year (especially for those lucky enough to get a fireplace).

Students say they love the "casual vibe" of this newly renovated co-ed dorm, but the amenities are those of an upscale hotel. An information assistant is at the front desk 24/7, and each wing has its own sub-lobby which contains a kitchen and laundry room accessible at any time. Deluxe rooms come with an extra-large bed, a wardrobe, a microwave and a refrigerator, and a private bath. Free WiFi is available as well as an ice machine for $8,000 per academic year.

Named one of the most beautiful campus residences by Forbes, this "glass house" has had $19 million in renovations and now sports a reflective façade of 2,000 energy-saving glass panels. Apartments include a full kitchen and bathroom, and there are also laundry facilities, a study lounge, and two recreation rooms. The price tag is a (comparatively) modest $9,000 for the academic year.

Simmons Hall is nicknamed "the Sponge" because of its porous architecture and curvy walls. Thanks to a town-hall style government, residents have voted to give themselves massage chairs, a ball pit, and a scooter hockey room. Community lounges are also equipped with 42-inch TVs, Rokus and PS3s. Other amenities include a dining hall (said to be one of the best on campus), and a two-story gym with a view of the Boston skyline. The modular living spaces will run you $10,000 per academic year.

Dialynas and Sontag Halls, the new certified LEED Platinum on-campus dorms of this California school incorporate some of the newest sustainable design features. The air conditioning turns off when windows are opened, and there are low-water use fixtures, solar hot-water heating, and rooftop gardens. The first-floor lounge even features a drop-down movie screen. There are tennis courts, pools, and contemplative courtyards, and it's all available at about $10,000 per academic year.

This is Kennesaw's first suite-style residence hall, which opened in 2008 on the campus in Kennesaw, Georgia, and it features private bedrooms for each resident with keyed entry, a twin-size bed, a computer desk, and a private bath for single rooms. The apartments have a mini-kitchen, mini-refrigerator, and built-in bar. Other amenities feature a computer lab, activity rooms with gaming stations, a fitness center, a health clinic, a convenience store, and an art gallery for $10,000 per academic year.

What separates First Street Towers from all other dorms at Indiana's Purdue University is that every room is a single, air-conditioned room with its own private bath. Bathrooms are cleaned once a week by service staff, and all rooms cluster around a central living room and dinette area. At the Rec Lounge there's a billiard table, a separate conference room, and a multi-purpose room. Amenities also include laundry on each floor, and the price tag is $10,000 per academic year.

Newman Towers is the largest residence hall on campus and popular for its student lounge, which comes complete with leather recliners and plasma TV. There's an upscale grocery store on the first floor, which serves up home-cooked meals as well. Laundry facilities are available 24/7, and the each apartment provides students with an electric stove, refrigerator, modern furniture, and air conditioning for $10,000 per academic year.

The five-story, 385,000-square-foot building at the Jacksonville campus provides housing for 1,000 students offering private bathrooms, high-speed data access, and cable in each bedroom. Osprey Fountains offers several theme lounges with spots for karaoke, gaming, watching sports, and (shockingly) even a place to study. There's also a pool with a lazy river feature, lighted tennis and basketball courts, a putting green, and a walkway bridge connecting the complex to the main campus. A private room here will set you back $11,000 per academic year.

This 10-story complex hosts apartments with 10-foot ceilings, plus full kitchens (though dishwashers are only available in two-bedroom units). Apartments come furnished or unfurnished with Wifi, web-interfaced room thermostats, and amenities including a fitness center, nine laundry lounges, a community room, two classrooms, 15 study lounges, a sky lounge, a movie theater, a Subway restaurant, and two rooftop terraces. All this costs about $12,000 per academic year.

These fully-furnished, open-floor plan student apartments, located adjacent to the Columbia, South Carolina campus, have plenty of natural light and breathing room, and each unit features a 42-inch flat screen TV, a sound system, stainless steel appliances, walk-in closets, and bike storage (in select units). There is also over 2,200 square feet of state-of-the-art fitness equipment, a lounge with billiards and foosball, a rooftop pool deck with a 40-person hot tub, and a 22-inch LED Jumbotron. The cost? Around $12,000 per year.

Designed by acclaimed architect Helmut Jahn, State Street Village is an industrial five-story building on the Chicago campus whose most distinctive feature is that the Green Line elevated train runs behind it. Fully-furnished single rooms include a twin bed, desk, study chair, and wardrobe. All this and an ultra cool vibe cost $12,000 for the academic year.

Modeled after European streetscapes with a central pedestrian plaza, the residential area of the St. Louis campus is flanked with mixed use buildings. The residential buildings are comprised of 2- to 6-person suites for freshmen and sophomores. In the middle of the South 40 is a grassy area simply called "the swamp" that's home to a basketball court, student performance space, and outdoor dining. The food service area has a pasta station, a pizza bar, and a market with prepared food. In short, this place looks like the Venetian in Vegas. A single room runs $12,000 for the academic year.

Walk-in closets, central air, and a 180-degree view of the Boston skyline are just some of the perks of living in this 26-story high rise. Perks include full-size refrigerators, microwaves, stoves, and 24-hour security. The common areas provide students with social areas, computer labs, laundry facilities, a mailroom, bike storage space, music practice rooms, and the first floor is home to Buick Street Market & Cafe. The cost is $13,000 per academic year.

The stunning rooftop deck of the Callaway House is on par with luxury hotels, and below the deck are fully-furnished private rooms, stainless steel appliances, and microwaves. Amenities include housekeeping service and a 24/7 concierge, while the recreation center offers billiards, foosball, arcade games, and a poker table. When playtime is over, there are six study areas throughout the building. The cost is $13,000 for an academic term.

Try not to get jealous of the students who live in this $175 million dormitory. The four-person suites, which typically go for around $13,700 for the year, have blonde hardwood floors, baths, and central air and heating. The mailboxes are keyless, advisors and administrators are all within an arm's length for help writing essays, and a community learning center facilitates the academic process. There's even a conservatory. The dining hall offers residents everything from seared salmon sandwiches to specialty breakfasts.

The dorms at this Ivy Leaguer in Connecticut are not new, but they have one amenity that many others don't — fireplaces. There are also built-in bookshelves and closets in these very large dorms. Welch Hall has two coveted, women-only "princess" suites with high ceilings, skylights, a sprawling common area and a staircase that takes you up to the second floor. Each residential college has its own gym, library, dining hall, and recreational areas — which includes game rooms, music and pottery studios, theater and dance spaces, and more — and rooms cost $15,000 per year.

Laurel Village is made up of two residence halls — Alpine and Piñon. The study rooms have wall-to-floor whiteboards for brainstorming, and the dorms are close to dining centers where students can create their own pasta and stir-fry dishes. A state-of-the-art gym is just steps away. There's also a fire pit for chilly evenings, while inside there's a living wall of plants and hammocks to enjoy nature during the colder months. There's also a pool and adjacent bike shop, and it's all available for $16,000 per academic year.

The apartments in this 10-story building include a living room, full kitchen, dining area and private bathrooms. Mark Shenkman Hall is also home to multiple restaurants — Potbelly, Pita Pit, Gallery Market, and Dunkin' Donuts. The Foggy Bottom campus is also surrounded by the Lincoln Memorial, the Kennedy Center for Performing Arts, and the U.S. Department of Treasury — which you might need to tap to pay the hefty $18,000 per year fee.

Located just off the Tucson campus, Hub boasts a rooftop pool and a state-of-the-art fitness center equipped with virtual trainers and on-demand classes. If perks like a washer and dryer in each unit, walk-in closets, wine fridges, showerheads with bluetooth, and voice-activated thermostats aren't enough, upgrade to a 55-inch Smart TV in the living room. You can also hang out in the lounge or the coffee bar. The cost? Expect to pay around $20,000 per year. Hub On Campus also offers similarly luxurious student housing near campuses from Orlando to Seattle.