Do you pay for room and board living off campus?

Student Lounge College Life
1

I have never understood this… If I live off campus (after freshman year), does the total cost of a certain university lowers considerably? For example, University X costs:

Tuition: 28,500$
Room and Board: 8,200$
Books and supplies: 1,100$
Personal expenses: 1,300$
Transportation: 1,500$

For a TOTAL of: 40,600$

I suppose I don’t have to pay room and board IF live off campus, taking 8,200$ out of the total cost. That means that University X would cost 32,400$ living off campus right?

Is this how it works with most universities? Or I still have to pay room & board living off campus? I don’t really understand this because many college sites (such as COLLEGE BOARD) don’t state a difference in $ between in-campus and off-campus.

2

Correct. You will not have to pay for R&B.

3

I would assume that’s how it is at most universities.

You will certainly pay rent to your landlord instead of to the university. “Room & Board” often includes meal plan expenses though which you may or may not want (for example if your school offers smaller meal plans you may want a meal plan that allows you to eat lunch on campus between classes).

4

You may still have to pay for a meal plan, but can opt for the least expensive one possible.

5

You have to pay for somewhere to live, and you have to pay for food.
How much does it cost for an apartment near campus? (I am assuming you are not living at home).
Will this be a 12 month least (very common)…what will you do about the summer months? Pay them? Live there? Try to sublet?
For food, you will have to be able to get to a super market, and you will have to cook your own food. Does this sound like something you like? Do you often eat out? Can you cook? Can you be frugal in cooking?