Student dorm in Fairchild House
A student room in Fairchild House, one of eight traditional halls located across campus.
Photo credit: Gary Cohen ’11

Living on Campus

Oberlin is a four-year residential college and we believe that living and eating together fosters a strong community. That’s why we require students to live in campus-owned housing through graduation or in an Oberlin Student Cooperative Association co-op.

Housing and Dining

Our residential campus means the learning never stops. Once your classes are done for the day, where you live and eat becomes another opportunity to learn from your peers and develop as an individual. You’ll have plenty of options: Do you prefer a traditional residence hall, or an immersive language house? Do you want to eat in a dining hall, or cook with friends in a co-op? Choose the space that’s best for you: That chat you have over lunch or in a house lounge may lead to something big.

Our dining choices include fresh, mostly local food to suit every eater, including vegetarian, vegan, and other dietary restrictions. The variety means meals are available to accommodate almost any student’s schedule (including the ever-popular fourth meal).

New Residence Hall to Open in Fall 2025

Construction has begun on a new residence hall that will consist of four floors and 401 beds, configured primarily as climate-controlled four-person suites featuring private bedrooms for each resident as well as a shared bathroom, kitchenette, and dining area.

Illustration of a 4-story brick building. A modern entryway has tall windows spanning 2 floors.

Learn more about the new residence hall

Where will you eat?

Meal Plans

The college’s five dining halls, food courts, and cafés reflect our commitment to quality service, and diversity and wholesomeness of food choices. AVI Foodsystems Company is our food service provider as it shares our commitment to following practices that honor the environment, economy, and sustainability of the local community. Additionally, our student-run co-ops are heavy on the local and organic and overall veggie friendly. We make as much as possible from scratch (including bread and tofu), buy from local farmers, and deliver our compost to a nearby organic farm.

image of cafeteria food station

New Residence Hall to Open in Fall 2025

Construction has begun on a new residence hall that will consist of four floors and 401 beds, configured primarily as climate-controlled four-person suites featuring private bedrooms for each resident as well as a shared bathroom, kitchenette, and dining area.

Illustration of a 4-story brick building. A modern entryway has tall windows spanning 2 floors.

We're proud to have one of the largest, oldest dining co-op systems in the country, feeding nearly a quarter of our campus. Co-op meals are a community effort at every step, from deciding what food to buy, to making the bread, to cleaning up afterward. Members plan and prepare meals together in fully stocked, industrial kitchens. We make as much as possible from scratch (including bread and tofu), buy from local farmers, and deliver our compost to a nearby organic farm.

Students cooking in a co-op kitchen
Students prepare a meal in a co-op kitchen.
Photo credit: Matthew Lester