18 colleges and universities with the coolest dorm rooms

A student in his Santa Clara dorm room Santa Clara University There are more than 4,000 degree granting colleges around the country, but not all of them have great dorm experiences.

To help prospective students, college ranking site Niche compiled a list of schools with the best dorms.

The schools listed vary in size, mission, cost, and prestige, but they are all united by having cool dorms that students love.

Visit INSIDER's homepage for more stories. When someone says the words, "college dorm room," the first things that come to is mind probably not luxury and comfort. More likely, the words evoke images of cramped rooms, beds resembling concrete slabs, and horrifying communal bathrooms. Some colleges are trying to change that. With the price of college rising, some schools around the country are trying entice new students with apartment style living, fancy recreational facilities, and even free laundry. There are dozens of factors to consider when choosing a college, and where you'll rest your head at night for four years is definitely one of them. Luckily, college ranking sites Niche and the Princeton Review have provided some guidance. To find the best dorms, Niche looked at more than 4,000 universities across the country and measured schools across four separate factors: student surveys on campus housing, average housing cost, housing capacity, and student housing crime rate. The result was a diverse range of public, private, and for-profit schools from every part of the country. Princeton Review's top dorm picks were determined by student surveys. Continue scrolling below to see 18 schools with some of the coolest dorm rooms around.

Florida Gulf Coast University's campus is located just a few steps away from some of the best beaches in the US. Florida Gulf Coast Let's be real: FGCU's greatest on-campus living perks are the large, luxurious resort-style pools with gulf views - they're probably why more than 80% of first year students choose to live on campus. Residence grounds also include a sand volleyball court, a boardwalk, a fire pit, and hammocks. And the dorms boast community kitchens, game rooms, movie theaters, and study rooms. Check out Florida Gulf Coast's housing Instagram page for more cool photos. Location: Fort Myers, Florida Enrollment: 15,031 Tuition: $25,162 Room and board: $9,672 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche

Regent University's fully furnished apartments will make you forget you're living in a dorm. Regent University. All Regent freshmen are required to live on campus, but while that requirement might seem like a drag at other universities, that's certainly not the case at Regent. Regent has two main dorms, each featuring spacious fully furnished rooms equipped with full-sized kitchens (so you can cook your ramen in style!) and cable TV. If you ever find yourself catching a case of cabin fever, never fear: the dorms at Regent have outdoor grilling areas and are just minutes away from major malls. Location: Virginia Beach, Virginia Enrollment: 9,889 Tuition: $18,380 Room and board: $7,080 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche, Regents University

The University of Northwestern has eight dorms with extra amenities. University of Northwestern Not to be confused with the much larger Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, the similarly named University of Northwestern is a religious liberal arts school in St. Paul. Minnesota. Regardless of which dorm you choose at the University of Northwestern, you're guaranteed to have your own bathroom and kitchen - good news for frugal students trying to save money by eating at home. Plus, campus housing is packed with amenitites: some of the dorms even have their own pools, hot tubs and fitness areas. You can take a virtual tour of the campus and see for yourself by clicking here. Location: Saint Paul, Minnesota Enrollment: 3,623 Tuition: $31,540 Room and board: $9,460 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche University of Northwestern

Residence halls at Santa Clara University look more like a nice hotel than a dorm. Santa Clara University All first-and most second-year Santa Clara students live in what Santa Clara calls, "Residential Learning Communities." But that's okay, considering their dorms more closely resembles a fancy resort than cinder block school housing. The eight Residential Learning Centers each have their own theme, like "innovation and integrity," or "service and community." These themes are meant to instill a sense of community and identity to each of the dorms. For juniors and seniors, the school offers luxury University Villas, so you'll never have to travel far to get to class. Location: Santa Clara, California Enrollment: 8,642 Tuition: $51,711 Room and board: $14,910 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche Santa Clara University

Colorado Christian University wants its students to have room to grow. Colorado Christian University Colorado Christian University is a private Christian school with more than 7,000 undergraduates. Rather than a typical cramped dorm room, CCU's student housing offers two and three bedroom apartments with full kitchens and living rooms, and in some cases patios or balconies. Location: Lakewood, Colorado Enrollment: 7,625 Tuition: $31,866 Room and board: $11,084 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche

Saginaw Valley State University's creates "special interest groups" specifically tailored to help first year students succeed. Saginaw Valley State University Even though Saginaw Valley State University doesn't require that student live on campus, 70% of students choose to do so anyway. At Saginaw, it's possible to live in a suite-style apartment with a full kitchen and living room, and have a bedroom to yourself. In addition to top-tier amenities, most of Saginaw Valley's buildings are connected, so students can keep warm during Michigan's cold winters. Location: Saginaw County, Michigan Enrollment: 8,515 Tuition: $24,215 Room and board: $9,749 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche

Grand Canyon University offers full fledged studio apartments. Grand Canyon University Students at Grand Canyon can choose a more traditional resident hall experience with multiple roommates, or an exclusive, individualized apartment equipped with its own kitchen. Students living on campus have access to pools, fitness centers, and outside recreational areas where they can unwind with games of beach volleyball or ultimate Frisbee. Location: Phoenix, Arizona Enrollment: 90,253 Tuition: $17,050 Room and board: $8,550 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche

Indiana Wesleyan University offers independent apartment style living for juniors and seniors. Indiana Wesleyan University At Indiana Wesleyan University, the dorm rooms evolve along with the students. While most first years start in more traditional multi-person residence halls, they can upgrade to fancier suites by their second year. Come junior and senior year, the school offers more independent apartment-style housing. Indiana Wesleyan says the apartments are meant, "to allow an increasing independence for upper division students as they prepare for independent living after college." Location: Marion, Indiana Enrollment: 3,188 Tuition: $26,630 Room and board: $8,480 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche

Bowdoin College offers typical residence halls along with and eight special "College Houses." Bowdoin College Most Bowdoin first years will initially live in underclass residence halls, but they're all encouraged to eventually apply to one of the school's eight College Houses. Described as "the living room" of campus, the houses host social programs and mentorship opportunities throughout the year. Location: Brunswick, Maine Enrollment:1,828 Tuition:$53,922 Room and board: $14,698 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche, Bowdoin

Washington University has its own "small town" within St. Louis. Washington University Washington University in St. Louis, MO, is meant to feel like a home away from home. Ten of the school's residential colleges are located in what's called the South 40, a small town within St. Louis with its own gift shop and convenience store. Students living on campus have access to fitness centers, intramural fields, game rooms, and music practice rooms. Location: Saint Louis, Missouri Enrollment: 15,852 Tuition:$53,399 Room and board: $16,440 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche, Washington University

Johnson University offers double and single rooms, and is consistently ranked among the nation's best dorms. Johnson University When not enjoying Tennessee's famous dry barbecue or jamming out to some live country music, Johnson University students can kick back in one of the school's three residence halls. Most of the dorm rooms are meant for two people (although there are some singles) and they come equipped with internet, central AC, and private bathrooms. Location: Knoxville, Tennessee Enrollment: 1,088 Tuition:$16,060 Room and board: $7,202 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche

Union University has 30,000 square feet of indoor recreational activity space for students. Union University Union University calls itself a, "Christ centered, people focused school." While most universities on this list only require first years and maybe sophomores to live on campus, at Union, that requirement extends to all undergraduates. The school says that living amongst other Union classmates, "provides students with unique opportunities in the areas of educational, social, cultural, spiritual and service-oriented development." First years typically live in what's called the "Heritage complex," and upperclassmen tend to live in "The Quads." All Heritage apartments have full kitchens and living rooms, and four single bedrooms. All students have access to a 30,000 square foot student commons area called, "The Bowld," which has an indoor track, lounge rooms, and music rooms. Location: Jackson, Tennessee Enrollment: 3,247 Tuition: $32,610 Room and board: $10,590 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche, Union University

High Point University gives students the private space they need to succeed. High Point University Students at High Point University can choose between eight different residence halls. High Point has virtual reality tours of most of its bedrooms, living rooms, and common areas available online here and you can see just how roomy they are. In a post on the school's website, a student named Danny McGrew said his dorm in Blessing Hall provided him with everything he needed. "You have a kitchen as well as your own common room," McGrew said. "What more could you ask for? One of my favorite things about Blessing is it is easy to study and take charge of your academics at hand. You don't have to go to the library to get your work done because you have your own room you have a good and quiet learning place." Location: High Point, North Carolina Enrollment: 5,137 Tuition: $35,118 Room and board: $14,130 Sources: National Center for Education Statistics, Niche

The residence halls at Scripps College look like classical mansions. Scripps College Students at Scripps College are treated to a refined living experience. Many of the ten residence halls on campus are furnished with ornate furniture and regal carpets. Some of the halls have outdoor communal areas where students can socialize around red tiled lined fountains or hang out around outdoor balconies. Several of the residence halls even have living rooms with communal pianos! Location: Claremont, California Enrollment: 1,071 Tuition: $55,024 Room and board: $16,932 Sources:Scripps College, National Center for Education Statistics, Princeton Review





Bryn Mawr students live on campus all four years, and form tight bonds. Bryn Mawr College Bryn Mawr is honest and upfront about their "simple, comfortable living spaces." The schools is a residential college, which means students are required to live on campus all four years. Because of that, every aspect of Bryn Mawr's residences is designed to encourage community building and forging tight bonds. The Bryn Mawr residence halls vary from older, Gothic buildings to more modern accommodations. Visually, the residence halls are sure to leave students in awe. Location: Bryn Mawr, Pennsylvania Enrollment: 1,690 Tuition: $52,360 Room and board: $16,500 Sources: Bryn Mawr College, National Center for Education Statistics, Princeton Review

Bennington College students live in quaint houses rather than impersonal dorms. Bennington College Bennington takes the idea of a cramped, institutionalized dorm room and throws it out the window, opting instead for "houses" of 30 to to 45 students. Each house includes a full living room, kitchen, and washers and dryers. Most of the homes even have cozy fireplaces. You can watch one of the students give a tour of their house below: Location: Bennington, Vermont Enrollment: 811 Tuition: $53,860 Room and board: $15,610 Sources: Bennington College, National Center for Education Statistics, Princeton Review