On This Page
Unfortunately, we have reached our capacity for returner contracts for the 2025-26 academic year. If you have not already secured other housing for next year, you will need to pursue off-campus options, since our returning resident process has ended. There are resources at UW-Madison to help students find off-campus housing, including Off-Campus Housing Services.
Why Live On Campus?
When you #LiveWithBucky, you’ll get another year of an environment built for and invested in your success, unlike an off-campus apartment.
Choose Your Space
Returning residents get to select their own space before new students. If available at your room selection time, you can choose to live in the same room, a newer hall, a single, double, or triple, or in one of our popular learning or theme communities.
Dining Options
Skip the hassles of cooking and grocery shopping, and enjoy convenient dining in any of our locations.
Maintenance & Cleaning
Our Facilities staff handle maintenance and repair requests quickly and efficiently. Plus, we diligently clean all common spaces including bathrooms, hallways, lounges, and more.
Better Grades & Faster Graduation
Statistics prove students who live on-campus earn better grades and graduate sooner than those who live off-campus. It’s easy to see why: we offer academic resources like advising, tutoring, classes, and quiet study spaces in residence halls.
Location & Events
Live near classes, work, and dining with quick and easy access to workout facilities, health services, libraries, and more. Plus, every year our staff plan events for students to relax, unwind, and meet new friends at.
Services & Amenities
Laundry, 24/7 staff support, media centers, Internet, furnishings, water, heat, and electricity are all included and available close to where you live.
Live with Friends
Create your own fun and familiar Wisconsin Experience with a roommate group and live with up to two friends in a room.
Flexibility
Friends change, especially during your first year, and your choice of roommate or room might change, too. Unlike an off-campus lease, we can help you switch if needed. Considering studying abroad? No need to find a subletter or try to get out of a lease. Students studying abroad can cancel the spring semester part of their contract so departure is simpler.
Build Your Résumé
Make a lasting impact on campus and jumpstart your future by taking advantage of leadership and job opportunities. Be a House Fellow, Badger Buddy, student supervisor, intern, or peer mentor and live where you work while improving your skills.
"I liked the resources that Housing provides, such as dining, facilities, and tutoring help. I think there's an advantage to another year in Housing because having a sense of security and most things figured out for you is beneficial."
Abby Z. • Dejope resident (second year) • Cole/BioHouse resident (first year)
What'll It Cost?
Our room and dining plan rates are some of the lowest in the Big Ten. We take pride in minimizing our costs while providing an exceptional experience for all residents. The projected rates listed below are per resident, per academic year and include utilities (heating/cooling, electricity, and water), furnishings, Internet, digital or cable TV, maintenance/repairs, cleaning of bathrooms and common spaces, and 24/7 full-time staff support.
- Residence Hall Room: $7,100 – $9,900 (rates vary)
- Dining Plan: $4,100 – $5,800 (required for all residents)
- Students select from one of three dining plan options based on their eating habits and how much they plan to dine on campus. Meals and Dining Dollars are loaded onto their Wiscard for food purchases.
- All Housing dining markets offer all-you-care-to-eat service.
Note: total costs of room and board can be calculated by:
- [Room Rate] + [Dining Plan Rate] = Total Room & Board Costs
Still Deciding?
If you have questions, fill out our contact us form and we’ll get back to you with an answer as soon as we can. While the residence halls are a great option, many students choose to live in off-campus housing after their first year at UW-Madison. If you have questions about moving off-campus, contact Housing’s Off-Campus Housing Services at off-campus@housing.wisc.edu. Campus Area Housing is also a good resource to search for available off-campus housing options in the Madison community and find potential roommates.