Rider University Boasts Country's Worst Dorms, New Rankings Say

LAWRENCEVILLE, NJ — Students at Rider University get a lot of benefits, but dorms are clearly not one of them, according to new rankings from the Princeton Review. In fact, many students who took the survey found themselves asking, "Is That A Dorm?"

Rider University's dorms were ranked the worst in the country in the Princeton Review's recent rankings of the top 384 colleges. It also ranked 18th for Students who Study the Least, scored 18th worst when it comes to libraries, and was 19th for Administrators Who Get Low Marks.

The tutoring, test prep, and college admission services company surveyed 138,000 students at the schools and asked them to rate the institutions on dozens of topics.

Although the company did not rank the top 384 colleges — the list is in alphabetical order — it did rank them for numerous category lists, including the best college theater, the best science lab facilities, best party schools, most beautiful campus and even something as silly as “nobody plays intramural sports.”

Students at the school typically pay about $41,000 a year, according to nj.com. A university spokesperson told the website the school is in the middle of $15,000 worth of residence hall improvements.

Robert Franek, editor in chief at The Princeton Review and the book's lead author, said in a release that the 384 "best" colleges were primarily based on their "outstanding academics" and that the authors "highly recommend each one." But Franek noted stellar academics aren't the only things students — and parents — look for in a college.

"We created our 62 ranking lists to help narrow that search," he said. "They are based entirely on data we gather beyond academics that give insight into what the schools' enrolled students say about their professors, administrators, school services, campus culture, and student life. In the end, it's all about the fit."

The 84-question survey asks students about their school's academics, administration, student body and themselves. You can read more about the ranking methodology here.

Story by Tom Davis, Patch National Staff

Patch national reporter Dan Hampton contributed to this article.

Photo credit: Shutterstock / baipooh