These PA Universities Have The Best Dorms: Study

PENNSYLVANIA — When considering where to attend college, the quality of a student's dormitory obviously isn't nearly as important as the the caliber of the school's academic programs. But a dorm that resembles a spacious apartment rather than a cramped closet could help tip the scales in making a decision on a college or university.

That's why Pittsburgh-based data analysis company Niche has rated the nation's best college dorms for 2022, and Pennsylvania higher learning institutions fare well in the rankings. Of more than 1,000 schools in the rankings, the Keystone State placed 10 in the top 152.

"Top-ranked colleges offer outstanding campus housing that is safe and clean with modern amenities at reasonable prices," Niche stated in a release. Factors considered in the rankings include student surveys on campus housing, average housing cost, housing capacity and student housing crime rate.

What follows are the top 10 dormitories in Pennsylvania. Their national rankings are listed parenthetically.

1. California University of PA, California (8)

All five of Cal U's residence halls have been built in recent years, according to the university. Along with spacious rooms, each residence hall has common areas for socializing, including lounges with large-screen TVs and media players. Residence halls also have full kitchen areas with
comfortable seating, plus recreation rooms with billiards, ping-pong and/or foosball tables.

2. Mansfield University, Mansfield (10)

Mansfield’s campus features four suite-style residence halls offering as many as up to five different styles of furnished living units, according to the Wellsboro Gazette. They include air conditioning, individual bathrooms,refrigerators, microwaves, high-speed Internet, one-card secure access and laundry facilities and study lounges on each floor. Each building includes at least one kitchen, a game room and a multi-purpose recreation area.

3. Slippery Rock University, Slippery Rock (39)

Amenities include a fully furnished living environment, cable TV, recreation room and vending areas, card access, 100 percent wireless access with students able to use up to five electronic devices for free, air conditioning, elevators and in-hall mailrooms.

4. Shippensburg University, Shippensburg (42)

Suite are available with both shared and private bedrooms, bathrooms, living areas and kitchenettes. Every room comes with furnishings such as adjustable beds, desks, chairs, dressers, and blinds, as well as two telephone jacks. Students have their own personal mailing address.

5. Indiana University of Pennsylvania, Indiana (104)

Amenities include vending machines, a game room, residential computer center, bicycle storage area, TV lounge, cable TV and wired and wireless Internet connections.

6. Marywood University, Scranton (110)

7. Bryn Mawr Univeristy, Bryn Mawr (112)

8. Pennsylvania College of Technology , Williamsport (122)

9. LaRoche University, Pittsburgh (125)

10. Penn State-Berks, Reading (152)

See the entire Niche rankings here.

Be the first to know what’s happening in your community and region. With a free Patch subscription, you’ll always be up to date on local and state news: https://patch.com/subscribe.