We surveyed students on how well their current housing situation supports their academic studies. Continue reading to discover if living in a dorm or other on-campus or off-campus housing plays a significant role in determining students' academic performance.
We discovered that a majority of college students are content with their current living situations. Notably, 79% of those surveyed college students reported satisfaction levels of either 'somewhat satisfied' (38%) or 'very satisfied' (41%) with their current housing.
However, there is a considerable segment of 10% who remain neutral, alongside 8% who are somewhat dissatisfied. A smaller proportion, 3%, expressed being 'very dissatisfied' with their housing arrangements.
Students residing in off-campus and on-campus apartments report high satisfaction levels, with 44% and 46%, respectively, feeling 'very satisfied.'
At GCU, we offer housing options that include amenities such as laundry facilities, kitchens and even courtyards, all tailored to foster student satisfaction.
Conversely, students living in a dorm exhibit greater dissatisfaction with their current housing situation. Nearly 1 in 6 express feeling 'somewhat dissatisfied,' and 5% are 'very dissatisfied,' marking the highest level of discontent among the housing options. The reduced privacy and increased noise levels typical in on-campus dormitories might contribute to this dissatisfaction among college students.3
Students living with family or relatives have higher levels of neutrality (14%) and dissatisfaction (9% 'somewhat dissatisfied' and 5% ‘very dissatisfied') compared to apartment dwellers.
Interestingly, we found that students with higher GPAs (3.6 to 4.0) report the greatest level of 'very satisfied' at 47%, while the lower GPAs (2.6 to 2.9) report the lowest percentage of 'very satisfied' students at 19%.
Most respondents find their living environment somewhat or very supportive of their academic work (77%). This suggests that the majority of participants may benefit from conducive study conditions at home, highlighting the importance of a supportive living space in fostering academic success. Factors contributing to this supportive environment may include a quiet and comfortable study area, access to necessary resources, and a positive atmosphere that encourages concentration and learning
Students residing in on-campus apartments or houses report the highest level of 'very supportive' environments at 48%, with off-campus apartments following closely behind (42%). This high satisfaction among on-campus residents may be attributed to the strategic design and management of these living spaces, which are often tailored specifically to meet the needs of students. On-campus housing typically offers close proximity to academic buildings, libraries and other resources, facilitating easier access to study materials and learning opportunities.
Additionally, these environments are likely to foster a strong sense of community among students, providing a network of peer support that can be crucial for academic motivation. The integration of these elements into on-campus living arrangements may be one contribution to the perception of a more supportive academic environment.
Interestingly, we found less satisfaction with dormitories, with 1 in every 6 students living in a dorm reporting that their housing is not supportive of their academic work. Dormitories were the largest percentage of the housing groups sharing academic impact dissatisfaction (15%).
Although dormitories might come with their own set of challenges like social gatherings, limited space and other distractions that could potentially impact academic achievements, they remain a favored housing option for college students.4 Additionally, GCU is ranked by Niche.com as having the #1 best college dorms in Arizona in 2024.5
Among students with GPAs between 2.0 and 2.5, a significant 30% of them rate their housing as below average in relation to their academic studies. In contrast, those with a GPA of 3.6 or higher are more likely to rate their housing as excellent, with 43% expressing this level of satisfaction.
