We are happy that you’ve chosen to study at Binghamton University! Your housing arrangements are an important part of your overall experience. We hope this information will be helpful in making the best choice!
Most undergraduate exchange students choose to live on campus. We highly recommend on-campus housing because of the convenience and opportunity to interact closely with American and other international students, and for the feeling of being part of the campus community. However, undergraduate exchange students may choose to live off campus if they prefer (see below).
Graduate students may now apply for on-campus housing on a space-available basis.
However, the cost will be significantly higher than most off-campus housing. Cost
of room and board off campus varies considerably according to the type of accommodations
and personal eating habits. Please note, most landlords require a one-year lease,
so it can
be difficult to arrange for off-campus housing if you are here for only one semester.
Further information regarding off-campus housing is located following the on-campus
details.
On-Campus Housing
- Organization: Binghamton University housing is managed by the Residential Life office.
Campus living areas are arranged as seven ‘communities’ or ‘colleges’ located throughout
campus. Each offers a different atmosphere and has different traditions for their
residents. On-campus students easily get around campus by walking or using a free
campus shuttle service. You can learn about each community online at: http://www.binghamton.edu/residential-life/communities/index.html. NOTE: Students who are 22 or older
must live in the Susquehanna or Hillside apartment areas, or live off campus. - Room Options: Each community offers a variety of room options (which may affect price).
The different room types are explained here: http://www.binghamton.edu/residential-life/communities/index.html.
- The residential colleges generally close during official university breaks or vacation
periods; you can request ‘break housing’ if you wish to access your dorm during closed
periods. Students that are not
living in break housing (or the Hillside and Susquehanna apartment communities) need to find alternative housing during these periods. Many students choose to travel during breaks.
The academic calendar showing break periods is online here:
/about/university-calendar.html. - Please be aware that first- and second-year students tend to live in the residential colleges, while 3rd and 4th-year students tend to live in Hillside or Susquehanna Communities.
- Binghamton University does not provide linens and sheets, so you will need to bring them with you or plan to purchase them here upon your arrival. There are several stores nearby that sell inexpensive bedding and linens.
- Costs: The prices for campus accommodations vary significantly depending on the community
and room type requested. The current semester rates for each housing option are online
at http://www.binghamton.edu/residential-life/housing/rates.html
- Standard double rooms in College-in-the-Woods or Hinman are the least expensive.
- Break housing and accommodations in the Mountainview Community are more expensive,
and
apartment-style housing located in the Susquehanna or Hillside Communities is the most expensive. - Partial Plus exchange students (i.e. students whose exchange includes tuition and standard doubleroom housing) who select a more expensive housing option are responsible to pay the difference.
- Meal Plans: Meal plans are required for most students living on campus, and there
are 6 different levels of services available. Meal plan costs are explained online
on the Dining Services web sites.
- You are not required to purchase a meal plan if you live in the Susquehanna or Hillside
apartment
communities, yet you can still purchase one if you choose. Students can often offset the higher cost
of apartment housing by cooking for themselves instead of purchasing a meal plan. - If you accept an on-campus housing assignment and sign a housing license upon arrival, you will not be able to break the contract and move off campus. Students who will study at Binghamton for one semester only will not incur any fees for leaving at the end of the semester. Students who will study at Binghamton for the full year must choose to either live on campus for the full period of their exchange program or to live off campus.
- You are not required to purchase a meal plan if you live in the Susquehanna or Hillside
apartment
- The residential colleges generally close during official university breaks or vacation
periods; you can request ‘break housing’ if you wish to access your dorm during closed
periods. Students that are not
Off-Campus Housing
- Timing: While some students do arrange for accommodations by calling or e-mailing
local landlords before arriving, we recommend that you arrive in Binghamton several
days before orientation to learn about the area and
visit apartments before signing a lease agreement. Keep in mind that apartment hunting can be a time-consuming and challenging process, so ideally it is completed before the start of classes. - Off Campus College: Binghamton University has a campus office dedicated to assisting all students that live off-campus. It is called the Off Campus College (OCC).
- Be sure to review their website thoroughly for tips and forms that will help you to understand common procedures for finding an apartment or roommate: https://www.binghamton.edu/occ/
- Upon your arrival in Binghamton, OCC can provide you with bus schedules, maps, lists
of available rooms and apartments, and a list of landlords who have had complaints
lodged against them by other students. OCC can also give you tips on your legal rights
as a renter and provide you with sample rental
contracts. - Availability: For a list of currently available off-campus housing opportunities in apartments and rooms in private homes, check the Off-Campus College (OCC) web page regularly at https://www.binghamton.edu/occ/housing/
- Transportation: Binghamton students can use the Broome County bus transportation system
(BC Transit), and the ‘blue bus’ system run by OCCT. You will obtain a Binghamton
University student ID card once you arrive,
and this card will let you use both systems free of charge. BC Transit buses run year-round; OCCT buses run only when classes are in session. The OCCT bus schedule will become available during the first week of classes.
The Office of International Education and Global Initiatives may be able to provide some assistance and advice in locating appropriate housing. Please note our office does not have the resources to investigate properties or negotiate rental contracts on behalf of students. We are also not responsible for any issues that may arise with apartments or landlords if students do pursue off-campus opportunities with our guidance.
If you have any questions about housing options, please contact the
Office of International Education and Global Initiatives at intlexch@binghamton.edu