One big difference between private and public college dorms is the level of privacy. Students in private dorms do not share their rooms with other students. They have their own bathroom, bed, closet and study area. Public dorms, on the other hand, allow sharing of rooms. Students who do not know each other share the same room. This also means they have to share bathroom, closet and study area, which means that privacy is compromised.
Making friends and socializing is part of college life. It is easier to make social connections in a public dorm because students are able to meet more people. Students develop a stronger sense of belonging in a community since they are surrounded by their peers. This is also an advantage when college students are having challenges with their subjects because they can easily ask for assistance from their roommates. On the other hand, private dorm living gives students more personal space and fewer roommates, if any roommate at all. Socializing is then limited to school events.
Private dorms give students more independence since they have the option to occupy the room alone. Private dorms also have fewer rules since there is less of a possibility that a student will violate the personal space and privacy of others. In public dorms, students are expected to blend together and follow more rules.
For some students, boarding costs are a big factor in making a decision between public and private dorms. Cost of a public dorm is not as expensive as getting a room in a private dorm. Aside from rent, there are other costs that must be considered. Private dorms are usually located near the college institution and have a higher fee than public dorms situated a few miles away. If students live farther from the school, transportation costs must also be taken into consideration.