Which HBCU Has the Best Dorms?
Long gone are the days where college dorms were the size of closets with gray concrete block walls. Universities look to attract students with on-campus housing that provides amenities to the students. The Historically Black College and University (HBCU) with the best dorms is Fort Valley State University located in Fort Valley, Georgia.
About Fort Valley State University
Founded in 1895, Fort Valley State University is a public institution with a strong history of the education of black Americans. With an enrollment of about 2,500 undergraduate students, the most popular majors include Biology, Psychology, Veterinary Technology, and Criminal Justice. Set on 1,365 acres, the school is located on the second largest acreage out of Georgia colleges and universities. It provides the perfect setting for its on-campus housing for students.
Why Fort Valley State University Has the Best Dorms
There are two options for living on-campus at Fort Valley. Ohio Hall, which was built in 1930 has been recently remodeled. Wildcat Commons was built in 2009 with seven buildings that feature apartment-style living. Wildcat Commons is a collection of beautiful red brick buildings with a courtyard in the center. A modern clubhouse includes a recreation/gaming center that is popular with students and a pizza takeout restaurant. The dorms also have the following amenities:
- High speed and wireless internet
- Furniture package
- Computer lab in each facility
- Laundry
- Cable TV
- Hardwood-Style Floors
- Large Windows
The modern apartments at Wildcat Commons have several different layouts, but each has its own private bathroom, which differs from many other dormitories where there is one shared bathroom per floor. Freshman and sophomores are eligible for a 3 bedroom and 1 bathroom apartment. An example of Junior and Senior apartments at Wildcat Commons is 2 bedrooms and 2 baths in 671 square feet of living space. Each apartment also has a kitchen, living room, and dining area.
As compared to other HBCU’s, Fort Valley offers more to its students. Alcorn University, for example, only offers a traditional style double room with two single beds with a community bath on each floor. Wi-Fi is in the Lobby only and there are vending machines rather than a takeout place. Another HBCU, Grambling State University, offers traditional double-style rooms instead of suites to many of its students as well without the amenities such as a recreation and gaming center for student use.
The on-campus housing costs are affordable---they range from $2,408-$3,557 depending on the size of the apartment. A 3 bedroom/1 bathroom residence for example costs $2,408 per semester. As compared to the national average student housing cost per year of $7,717 for on-campus housing, Fort Valley State University provides a great value with high-quality housing. And as compared to other HBCU’s too. For example, the average cost for Grambling State University, is $5,572, with far less amenities for students.
Fort Valley has also received recognition for its on-campus housing options. Niche ranked Fort Valley #65 out of 1,392 colleges for best dorms, with an “A” rating. They also ranked the school #1 for dorms in the state of Georgia.
