Housing Options
Housing Models
There are two main housing models: residence hall, and residential colleges. The primary difference between them is the degree of faculty involvement. Residence halls have all of the programs and support a student needs for a meaningful residential experience. Residential colleges offer more opportunities for faculty engagement and programming as well as continuity of community that comes with a culture of returning residents and longstanding faculty affiliations. All buildings are furnished with furniture for each student, including a twin extra-long bed, mattress, desk, desk chair, wardrobe or closet, dresser, trash can, and recycling bin.
Residence Halls
The traditional residence halls on campus range from residences with as few as 25 students to larger residences with more than 500. Each building has its own character, spirit, and unique advantages. The residence halls are a great place to live and meet people from all over the world. Resident Assistants and student leaders from Area Councils frequently plan programs to help students meet people and be successful.
Residence hall features include:
- Resident Assistants
- Resident Directors (may live in nearby building)
- Area Council leaders
- Programming
Residential Colleges
The residential colleges range from 40 to 250 students. Some have a single unifying theme such as international studies while others are multi-thematic. Each college is headed by a faculty member who serves as the Faculty Chair. Chairs and student officers recruit faculty and staff members for the fellows program, which supports faculty presence through meals in the college, informal presentations known as firesides, and outings around campus and Chicago. In addition, fellows routinely lead small credit-bearing seminars reserved for college members and mentor residents as research assistants through a specially funded program.
Residential colleges features include:
- Resident Assistants
- Resident Directors (may live in nearby building)
- Residential College Board (RCB) leaders
- College staffs (Faculty Chairs, Associate Chairs, Assistant Chairs)
- Credit-bearing seminars
- Theme-based communities
- Reserved dining hall spaces for faculty engagement
Special Interest Housing
Special interest housing is for students who choose to live with others who share a special academic or personal interest. A special interest housing group may be located on a wing of a residence hall or have "exclusive use" of a small house.
Explore Special Interest Housing Options
All Gender Housing
All Gender Housing refers to an arrangement whereby students, regardless of sex, gender, or gender identity, are permitted to share a room or suite in select areas of Northwestern’s campus residences.
visit our all gender housing page for details
Graduate Housing
Graduate apartments are available in three communities and in multiple configurations.