<p>I go to Berkeley, and the ranking does not surprise me at all.</p>
<p>The dorms here are actually quite uncomfortable. Most students live in the units, which feature co-ed bathrooms on each floor, and rooms are either doubles or triples. They’re about 10x10 in size which gives no place to study. There is a lounge, but it’s about 20x30 and shared with 30 people.</p>
<p>The dorms cost approximately three times more than similar off-campus accomodations. Freshman year, I lived in the most expensive dorm and had a double for ~$16000/“yr”, where “yr” is actually 9 months minus winter break.</p>
<p>At the end of freshman year, I was 100% tired and fed up with it, so I moved into an apartment. I now pay $870/mo (~$7400/“yr”) for a single 13’x10’ room in a 2bd/1ba 800sqft apartment that’s well-maintained. Most people usually get four people in such an apartment and pay a lower cost accordingly. Without a doubt, it’s much more comfortable than the dorms.</p>
<p>What about meal plans, you ask? Well, you can purchase one for $2500/“yr”. I don’t see why anyone would want to do that though. :)</p>