University Housing offers two distinct neighborhoods, with over 20 different residence halls varying in size, room types, and features. Our smallest residence hall is home to about 70 residents, while our largest is home to over 1,300 residents. Regardless of the size, your residence hall will consist of “houses.” A “house” is simply a group of residents that live together, which could be a floor, wing, or entire building depending on the population. Your “house” also has a “house fellow,” which is a live-in student staff member (similar to a resident advisor, or R.A.), there to plan fun events, offer advice, and help you throughout the year. Some residence halls include learning and theme communities to enhance your Wisconsin experience.
No matter which building or neighborhood you live in, you’ll find similar resources, services, resident events, and amenities, along with tons of new fellow Badgers. Most residents end up loving whatever hall they are assigned to, and it’s about what you make of the experience..
"My residence hall experience at University Housing has been transformative, offering a vibrant community where I've forged lifelong friendships and thrived academically. Living on-campus has not only provided convenience and support but has truly enriched my college journey in countless ways."
Sophie D., Adams Residence Hall
Our Residence Halls
Rooms, Tours, & Communities
Inside Our Rooms
See what's provided in resident rooms, what to bring, lofting info, and room measurements
Tours
Schedule an in-person tour or view virtual tours of common residence hall room types
Learning & Theme Communities
Explore spaces where students with shared backgrounds or common interests are brought together within residence halls
Our Neighborhoods
Our residence halls are spread across two distinct neighborhoods on different corners of campus. The Lakeshore Neighborhood is nestled against the beautiful Lake Mendota, offering residents the most inexpensive lakefront property they will ever live on. The Southeast Neighborhood stands near the downtown area of campus, comprised of more high-rise buildings and less green space. Both neighborhoods are close to classes, major bus routes, libraries and many other campus resources. Regardless of where you live, you’ll find the same Badger experience and plenty of options for your new on-campus home.
Lakeshore Neighborhood
The beautiful Lakeshore neighborhood offers a ton of recreational opportunities and all the fun without the downtown noise. Its residence halls are a mix of modern designs and historic charm, with some of the most breathtaking lake views you’ve ever seen. Lakeshore is close to Ebling and Steenbock libraries and the Engineering campus, and is just a five-minute walk from “jumping around” at Camp Randall. Fitness-minded students can work out at the beautiful new Bakke Center and take advantage of tennis, basketball, volleyball and rec fields right outside their door. Lakeshore residents can even study outside in a hammock or snowshoe on frozen Lake Mendota. For easy access to shops and restaurants, Lakeshore is only a ten-minute bus ride from State Street and the Hilldale Shopping Center.
Residence Halls: Adams, Bradley, Cole, Dejope, Humphrey, Jorns, Kronshage, Leopold, Phillips, Slichter, Sullivan, Tripp, Waters
Dining Locations: Carson’s, Four Lakes, Liz’s
Recreational Space: Tennis courts, basketball courts, soccer fields, sand volleyball
Athletic Facility: Bakke Recreation Center
Union: Union South
Shopping: Hilldale Shopping Mall
Sports Venue: Camp Randall Stadium
Southeast Neighborhood
The Southeast neighborhood is located near the downtown Madison area, surrounded by busy streets and high-rise apartments. Its residence halls are mostly larger, denser buildings in a variety of layouts. The Southeast neighborhood is equidistant to both student unions and near College and Memorial libraries, which offer quiet places to study. Want to be a member of the “Grateful Red” or the “Crease Creatures?” Witte Hall is located across the street from the Kohl Center, so you’ll only be a short walk away from Badgers basketball and hockey games. The area also offers volleyball courts, basketball courts, and the Nicholas Recreation Center (“The Nick”) for exercise, plus a Starbucks in Smith Hall and nearby access to State Street for shops and restaurants.
Residence Halls: Barnard, Chadbourne, Lowell, Merit, Ogg, Sellery, Smith, Witte
Dining Locations: Gordon Avenue, Lowell, Rheta’s
Recreational Space: Basketball courts, sand volleyball
Athletic Facility: Nicholas Recreation Center (The Nick)
Union: Memorial Union
Shopping: State Street
Sports Venue: Kohl Center
Compare Buildings
| Residence Hall | Communities | # of Residents | Assignment Pattern | Bathrooms Shared By | Room Types | Gender Inclusive Options Available | Carpet in Resident Rooms | A/C | Price Range | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| wdt_ID | Residence Hall | Communities | # of Residents | Assignment Pattern | Bathrooms Shared By | Room Types | Gender Inclusive Options Available | Carpet in Resident Rooms | A/C | Price Range |
| 1 | Adams | 247 | Mixed coed floors | Floor | Singles Doubles Triples |
No | No | Hallways/common areas | Mid | |
| 2 | Barnard | 139 | Mixed coed floors | Floor wing | Singles Doubles Triples |
No | No | Hallways/common areas | Mid | |
| 3 | Bradley | Bradley Learning Community (entire hall) | 246 | Mixed coed floors | Floor wing | Doubles Quads |
No | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Low |
| 4 | Cole | BioHouse Learning Community (part of) | 237 | Mixed coed floors | Floor | Doubles Triples Quads |
No | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Low |
| 5 | Chadbourne | Chadbourne Residential College (entire hall) Pathway Theme Community (part of) |
580 | Mixed coed floors | Floor wing | Doubles Quads |
No | Yes | Entire building | Mid |
| 8 | Dejope | 589 | Mixed coed floors | Cluster of 5-6 rooms | Doubles Triples Quads |
Yes | Yes | Entire building | High | |
| 9 | Humphrey | 76 | Single sex floors | Floor | Doubles | No | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Low | |
| 10 | Jorns | 76 | Single sex floors | Floor | Doubles Quads |
No | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Low | |
| 11 | Kronshage | International Learning Community (Conover & Showerman Houses) | 608 | Single sex floors | Floor | Doubles Quads |
No | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Low |
| 12 | Leopold | GreenHouse Learning Community (part of) | 213 | Mixed coed floors | Cluster of 4-5 rooms | Doubles* Triples Quads |
No | Yes | Entire building | High |
| 13 | Lowell | Gender Inclusive Theme Community (part of) | 321 | Mixed coed floors | Room | Singles* Doubles Triples |
Yes | Yes | Entire building | High |
| 14 | Merit | 68 | Mixed coed floors | Room or cluster of six rooms | Singles Doubles Triples |
No | Yes | Entire building | High | |
| 15 | Ogg | Business Connect (part of) | 863 | Coed clusters | Clusters of 4 rooms | Doubles* Triples Quads |
No | Yes | Entire building | High |
| 16 | Phillips | Open House Learning Community (part of) | 141 | Mixed coed floors | Room | Doubles | Yes | Yes | Entire building | High |
| 17 | Sellery | StartUp Learning Community (part of) The Studio (part of) |
1,329 | Mixed coed floors | Floor wing | Singles* Doubles Triples Quads |
Yes | Yes | Entire building | Mid |
| 18 | Slichter | 200 | Coed by wing | Floor wing | Doubles | No | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Low | |
| 19 | Smith | Indigenous (NDGNS) Theme Community (part of) | 576 | Coed by cluster | Cluster of 3-4 rooms | Singles* Doubles* Triples |
Yes | Yes | Entire building | High |
| 20 | Sullivan | 252 | Mixed coed floors | Floor wing | Doubles Quads |
No | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Low | |
| 21 | Tripp | 258 | Mixed coed floors | Floor | Singles Doubles Triples |
No | No | Hallways/common areas | Mid | |
| 22 | Waters | Women in Science & Engineering Learning Community (part of) | 498 | Coed by wing | Floor wing | Singles* Doubles |
Yes | Yes | Hallways/common areas | Mid |
| 23 | Witte | Essence Theme Community (part of one floor) Multicultural Learning Community (one floor) |
1,326 | Mixed coed floors | Floor wing | Doubles Quads |
Yes | Yes | Entire building | Mid |
*These room types are very limited in number and may not be available to new students in their preference options.