Despite higher costs in comparison to some competing off-campus options, NC State’s on-campus housing options have seen high demand due to proximity to campus and included amenities.
NC State’s Housing Rates are expected to stay the same for the 2019-20 academic year according to the University Housing website.
Barry Olson, associate vice chancellor of the Business Administration department of the Department of Academic and Student Affairs, said that there are multiple factors that go into deciding the housing rates.
“Our housing rates are decided typically based on what are our expenditures,” Olson stated. “We have a number of different categories, one of those being personnel and another one being capital planning.”
According to Olson, these prices remain similar, annually.
“I’d say the past five years, we’ve been more in the neighborhood of two to three percent increase,” Olson stated. “And much of those cost increases go toward covering the benefits of salaried staff members.”
Olson explained that the housing prices cover many different amenities and utilities, and that prices for apartments and residence halls will vary depending on what is included.
“We have a different price if you’re in a single room because you are getting more space, so you should pay more,” Olson stated. “But we also have a price for a unit with a kitchenette in it. Avent Ferry is that type of situation.”
Donna McGalliard, executive director of University Housing, feels that University Housing sets itself apart from off-campus housing options by having a supportive staff.
“When you get off campus, you have an apartment manager and that’s it,” McGalliard said. “That’s the person who oversees really just kind of the bricks and mortar of the place. They’re not concerned about your wellbeing, and that’s, I think, what sets us apart.”
Seth Parrish, a third-year studying computer science, lived at Wolf Village in a four bedroom apartment for two years but now lives off-campus at Valentine Commons.
“I lost some of that convenience moving off-campus, but the price did go down,” Parrish said.
Brooke Pantaleo, a first-year studying human biology, lives in Lee Hall. Pantaleo feels that living on-campus can be a great way to meet people, but it is a little expensive.
“I think it’s nice for meeting friends and stuff, but financially, it might not be the best move for everyone,” Pantaleo stated.
Daniel Freeman, a first-year studying engineering, lives in Metcalf Hall. Freeman plans to work as a residence advisor to have his housing covered for next year and feels that students must be responsible financially.
“I think everyone who goes to college is financially conscious; they have to be,” Freeman stated. “It’s a rather large investment to be making.”
According to Olson, NC State works with students struggling to afford housing. One such way NC States helps students financially is through the Pack Essentials program. Students unable to pay rent or experiencing a temporary condition, such as a fire, may apply for temporary free housing, Olson said.
For more information about Housing Cost at NC State visit the University Housing website.
