University of Kentucky Housing Options: A Comprehensive Guide

Choosing where to live is a crucial part of the college experience. At the University of Kentucky (UK), a variety of housing options are available to suit different needs and preferences. From traditional residence halls to suite-style living and off-campus apartments, UK offers a range of choices for students. This article provides a detailed overview of housing options at the University of Kentucky.

On-Campus Residence Halls

Variety of Room Types

University of Kentucky (UK) dorms are similar to most college housing options. Most on-campus residence halls include singles, double, and suites. Floor plans vary from residence hall to residence hall. CampusReel hosts dorm tours of University of Kentucky (UK), and every one is different. The University of Kentucky (UK) dorms dimension depend on the residence hall. This information is usually contained in one of the dorm room tours of University of Kentucky (UK) on CampusReel.

UK offers six room types. All students may choose from a four-person suite; two-bedroom suite; or a four-bedroom suite.

Location and Amenities

UK's residence halls are located in two areas: North - the northern edge of campus closest to downtown Lexington and the Gatton Student Center and Central - the heart of campus closest to The 90 and the William T. Young Library. UKY’s laundry rooms are normally located on the 1st floor of dorm buildings. The laundry rooms come with stand up washers&dryers and a sink.

Benefits of On-Campus Living

National research has shown that students who live on campus report higher grade point averages and a better sense of belonging on campus. Students who live on campus at UK report similar results, said Director of Housing Lisa Williams, who said students living in dorms also report that it’s easier to get connected and acclimated to college life.

Williams said housing space is still available on campus for students this fall.

Themed Living: Living Learning Programs (LLP)

At UK, the Living Learning Program (LLP) allows you to be part of a tight-knit community focused on your interests, major or career path, helping make the transition to college easier.

Suite-Style Living

Woodland Glen

A living option on South campus that many students choose is to live in one of the very new Woodland Glens. The University of Kentucky Woodland Glen residential complex contains five dorms and was first opened in August 2015. The Woodland Glens are all two bedroom or four bedroom suites, meaning each student has their own room with a Tempurpedic mattress, closet, desk, chair, and window.

Two-Bedroom Suites

In this full dorm tour, I give views of my 2 bedroom suite which is in the STEMCats Woodland Glen II dorm on central campus. The majority of dorms are 2 bedroom suites and will have the layout of our dorm room. Some of my personal dorm additions that I believe are essential to any dorm include an essential oils diffuser, which takes the place of a candle (which are not allowed in dorms because of fire hazards). A two person suite is different than two person bedroom because in the suite you share a room, bathroom in between, and then two other people share a room. Two person bedroom you each get your own room.

TRI-IT Program

Housing changes from recent years, like the TRI-IT program that converted two-person suites into three-person suites, have been used to expand the number of beds on campus and will continue this fall after positive feedback. Students living in the TRI-IT rooms last year reported similar relationships with roommates and and “a consistent experience” to students living in other housing arrangements, Williams said. Another added benefit of selecting the TRI-IT room is a lower housing cost, in some cases more than $1,000 cheaper per semester for students opting to share a room. “We’re seeing that our incoming students are choosing to live in those spaces,” Williams said.

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New Dorm Planned for 2026

While UK has seen record enrollment in recent years, keeping up with the housing needs of a ever-growing freshman class has presented challenges. Now, for the first time since 2017, UK has begun construction on a new residence hall. The dorm is expected to open for students by August 2026, and include approximately 649 beds, study rooms, laundry facilities and kitchens. While the facility will be operated by Greystar Real Estate, UK will operate programming in the dorm, according to board of trustees materials from December, when the dorm was approved. The project is expected to cost $81 million, UK said last year.

Since 2012, UK has maintained a partnership with Greystar for multiple dorms on campus. Greystar is contracted to develop and maintain housing buildings for the university, which are leased to UK. The most popular housing option among students is a 2-bedroom suite, where students have their own bedroom but share a bathroom. That will be the style for the new dorm, said Cory Thalheimer, campus partnership director. The 225,000 square foot building will be located at the former location of the Kirwan/Blanding complex. As building plans were being created, it was important to look at creating “a variety of spaces and how to have flexibility within those spaces,” Thalheimer said. “It was a key that we looked at that throughout the entire process,” Thalheimer said. “What are ways we can use the spaces for more than one purpose? If a student decides they want to use a space in a certain way, how can we create a generalized space so that they can kind of mold it to how they want to use it?”

Focus on Community and Engagement

In the post-pandemic college experience, students aren’t just looking for a place to sleep or do homework, Price and Williams said. “This campus has been on a transformational trajectory of looking and creating residential experiences where that residence hall really doesn’t function purely today as a dormitory,” Price said. “It’s not just a dwelling place to put your head for sleeping. It’s a place you have experiences in.”New dorms and buildings on campus include spaces for students to connect and attend events. UK has also started focusing on the programs offered in dorms, including networking opportunities, Williams said. “When you think about the trajectory of these students and their high school experience as it relates to the pandemic, they’re really looking for those engagement opportunities on campus,” Williams said.

Greek Life Housing

For Greek Life housing, mostly sophomores live in the house, but also members of the executive committee of the sorority live in the house as well. My sorority house has 44 girls who live in it, it's four floors including a basement, kitchen/living room floor, and two bedroom floors.

Off-Campus Housing

Apartments and Houses

Lexington offers a variety of private housing in apartment buildings and houses. Some are very close to the university and within walking distance; others are further and require a car or other means of transportation. Students should expect to pay about $500-$600 per month for an unfurnished apartment, not including utilities. Of course, life-styles vary greatly and costs may be higher or lower.

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American Campus Communities

Discover exceptional student living at American Campus Communities, offering three prime apartment communities near the University of Kentucky in Lexington.

Proposed Apartment Complex

Additionally, a seven-story private student apartment complex has been proposed near campus. The building would not be owned by UK. It would include 241 apartments with 799 bed on South Limestone, though developers would need to demolish multiple buildings and still need approval from the planning commission before proceeding.

Why Choose On-Campus Housing?

UK Campus Housing is more than a place to rest your head. It’s your home and the place where you and your friends dream about what’s possible. After all, your new home - your residence hall - was built specifically with you in mind. UK's living spaces were created and designed to foster connections, to spark conversations and to ignite your passions. The not-so-secret key to academic success at UK is living on campus. On average, students who live on campus have higher GPAs than their classmates who live off campus - and are more likely to graduate on time.

Who Chooses to Live on Campus?

In this video, I talk about the different types of dorms that freshman can have, as well as what the most common dorms are and what most students do when it comes to housing each year. Usually, freshman live in the dorms, but some can choose to live in apartments, houses or anywhere they feel most comfortable. This also extends to upperclassmen, but it is most common that they will live in a dorm if they are an RA (residential advisor).

Though UK does not require freshmen to live on campus, typically, around 85% of first-year students chose to, she said. In recent years, growing numbers of returning students have opted to live on campus, too. At a board meeting last year, Eric Monday, executive vice president for finance and administration, said typically 2,000 to 2,500 students re-apply to live on campus, but last year, that number was over 3,700.

Returning students look to on-campus housing for several reasons, said Heath Price, associate vice president for partnerships, including the proximity to campus and the flexibility of not having to sign a 12-month lease if they do not live in Lexington year-round. “The returner numbers at UK have grown higher in recent years, which starts to put a compounding impact on how many incoming freshman that we can house,” Price said.

Housing for Specific Student Populations

As a returning student, you also have the added benefit of choosing to live in specific buildings with room types available only to upperclassmen. UK has several on-campus living facilities specifically designed for full-time student families, full-time single graduate and doctoral students, and full-time non-traditional students. All of the facilities are conveniently located and there are different floor plans available to choose from. Most communities come fully furnished and include utilities, cable and internet service.

Applying for University Housing

Applications for university housing should be made as soon as possible. The University of Kentucky offers university housing which is generally more economical than housing off-campus. It is an excellent way to meet native English speakers and make new friends. Housing is available in residence halls (dormitories) and apartments. Students who live in residence halls are required to buy a meal plan and to sign a housing contract during the academic year. University housing has a cable modem in each room and apartment, allowing access to the Internet and all basic cable channels.

Lexington: A Great Place to Live

The University of Kentucky is located on the cusp of downtown Lexington. Lexington offers endless opportunities for students, from cheering on the Wildcats at exciting UK sporting events to exploring the vibrant downtown area with its shops, restaurants, and nightlife. There are many things for students to do in Lexington, KY all year long! With a variety of museums, art galleries, theaters, restaurants, and many shops to explore, you'll never be bored.

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