CAMPUS · FAYETTEVILLE, AR · PUBLIC

University of Arkansas

71.7%

01Acceptance 02Tuition 03Transfer 04ROI 05AP Credit 06Majors 07Housing 08International

University of Arkansas Housing & Dorms: Cost Breakdown

$12,897

Room & Board (Annual)

$8,365

Room Only

$4,532

Meal Plan

6,900

On-Campus Beds

4-Year Housing Cost

Based on current room & board rates

$51,588

Housing Guarantee at University of Arkansas

Off-campus is the norm. University of Arkansas has on-campus capacity for only about 25% of undergrads. Even freshman housing may be by request or lottery. Treat off-campus as the default plan from day one.

Off-Campus Rent Near University of Arkansas (ZIP 72701)

Median gross rent figures below are from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2023) for the ZIP code where University of Arkansas's campus sits (72701).

$973/mo

Median Gross Rent

$697/mo

Studio

$783/mo

1-Bedroom

$1,008/mo

2-Bedroom

$1,446/mo

3-Bedroom

Rent trend: Median rent in this area rose 8.6% between the ACS 2022 and ACS 2023 5-year estimates ($896 → $973 median).

University of Arkansas Housing Cost: On-Campus vs Off-Campus

The right call depends on whether you're comparing a 9-month academic year (matching the on-campus dorm contract) or a full 12-month lease, and how many roommates you split with.

Setup	Per Month	9-Month Year	vs On-Campus
On-campus dorm (room + meal plan)	$1433	$12,897	—
Off-campus 1-bedroom (solo)	$783	$7,047	−$5,850
Off-campus 2-bedroom (1 roommate)	$504	$4536	−$8361
Off-campus 3-bedroom (2 roommates)	$482	$4338	−$8559

On-campus figure is room and board (includes meals). Off-campus figures are rent only — add roughly $200-400/mo for groceries, $80-180/mo for utilities (electric/gas/water), $30-80/mo for internet, and transit or parking depending on commute distance. Renter's insurance runs $10-25/mo.

4-Year Housing Cost Comparison at University of Arkansas

$51,588

On-campus, 4 years

$28,188

Off-campus 1-bd solo, 4 years

$18144

Off-campus 2-bd shared, 4 years

Over four years, a solo 1-bedroom in ZIP 72701 costs about $23,400 less than on-campus dorms — even before factoring in roommates. University of Arkansas's on-campus housing is on the expensive end relative to local rent.

Off-Campus Housing Tips for University of Arkansas Students

Start the search 4-6 months before move-in

College towns turn over inventory in February-April for fall leases. Inventory thins quickly in May-June. Most leases are 12 months and require first month + last month + security deposit upfront — budget $4,000-$10,000 for the move-in lump-sum depending on rent.

Check sublet boards before signing direct in Fayetteville

Subleases from departing students often run 10-30% below market because the original tenant is locked into a lease. Search Facebook groups specific to University of Arkansas, university-affiliated housing forums, and Reddit's school-specific subreddit. Summer subleases are especially cheap — many tenants leave for internships and want to recover any rent.

Verify the building before paying any deposit

Run the address through your county recorder to confirm the listing party owns or formally manages the unit. Scammers post fake listings of real properties and ask for wire transfers or gift cards as deposits. Legitimate landlords will let you tour in person before any payment.

Heads up: University of Arkansas has limited on-campus housing

University of Arkansas houses only about 25% of undergrads on campus. Most students live off campus by sophomore year. Treat off-campus as the default plan — start the search before freshman move-in if you'd like options for year two.

Stack the hidden costs before signing

Beyond rent: utilities ($80-180/mo for electric/gas/water), internet ($30-80/mo), renter's insurance ($10-25/mo), application fees ($50-100), broker fees in some markets (1 month rent), and a guarantor or co-signer if you don't have rental history. Add it all up before deciding off-campus is "cheaper."

University of Arkansas Campus & Location

University of Arkansas is located in Fayetteville, AR — classified as City: Small. The urban setting offers good access to restaurants, jobs, and cultural activities near campus.

Sources: Room and board figures from IPEDS 2023 Institutional Characteristics. Off-campus rent benchmarks from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates 2023, Table B25064 (Median Gross Rent) and Table B25031 (Median Gross Rent by Bedrooms) for ZCTA 72701.

University of Arkansas Housing & Dorm FAQs

How much do University of Arkansas dorms cost?

Room and board at University of Arkansas costs $12,897/yr. That breaks down as $8,365 for the room and $4,532 for the meal plan. Costs vary by room type (single/double/suite) and meal plan tier.

Are University of Arkansas freshmen required to live on campus?

University of Arkansas has on-campus housing capacity for 6,900 students. Most US colleges require freshmen to live on campus when capacity allows — check the residential life policy for current requirements.

What's included in the University of Arkansas meal plan?

University of Arkansas's standard meal plan includes 15 meals per week in dining halls, plus dining dollars or flex points for retail food vendors. Pricing scales with meal count; lower plans are typically available for upperclassmen.

How much does it cost to rent near University of Arkansas?

Median rent near University of Arkansas (ZIP 72701) is $973/month overall. A 1-bedroom rents for a median of $783/mo and a 2-bedroom for $1,008/mo (Census ACS 5-year 2023 estimates). Rents are up 8.6% from the prior ACS estimate.

Is it cheaper to live off campus at University of Arkansas?

Off-campus typically saves money at University of Arkansas — even after groceries (~$3,000/yr) and utilities (~$1,500/yr), it usually beats the $12,897/yr dorm cost. A solo 1-bedroom for the 9-month academic year totals about $7,047, versus the on-campus room and board of $12,897/yr. Splitting a 2-bedroom with a roommate is almost always the cheapest option.

Where do University of Arkansas students typically live off campus?

Most University of Arkansas students who live off campus stay within 1-2 miles of the Fayetteville campus to keep walking or biking distance to classes. Sublet boards from departing students often run 10-30% below market — search university Facebook groups and local subleasing pages a few months before the semester starts. Cities with stronger transit (large metros) make it practical to live further out for cheaper rent.

When should I start looking for off-campus housing near University of Arkansas?

For a fall move-in, start the search 4-6 months ahead — most leases turn over February through April. Inventory thins quickly in May-June. If you missed the main season, check sublet listings (many tenants leave for summer internships and offer steep discounts) and look at older buildings, which tend to lease later in the cycle.

What should I budget on top of rent at University of Arkansas?

Beyond base rent, plan for utilities ($80-180/mo for electric/gas/water), internet ($30-80/mo), renter's insurance ($10-25/mo), groceries ($200-400/mo if you cook), and transit/parking. Application fees ($50-100), security deposits (1-2 months' rent), and broker fees (some markets) hit at lease signing. First-time renters without rental history may need a guarantor.

More About University of Arkansas

University of Arkansas Acceptance Rate University of Arkansas Tuition & Cost Transfer to University of Arkansas University of Arkansas Salary & ROI University of Arkansas AP Credit Best Majors at University of Arkansas University of Arkansas Housing International at University of Arkansas

Data source: U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, IPEDS. University of Arkansas is not affiliated with DeepColleges.