The Ultimate Ranking of Purdue Dorms

Aside from choosing your classes, choosing your living space is one of the most important decisions you’ll have to make going into the new school year. This can be the difference between having access to Starbucks 24/7 and a short walk to class or sweating all night because your dorms doesn’t have AC. I put a list together to make the selection process a little easier. So keep reading for my official rankings (ranked worst to best) of the Purdue dorms!

13. Mcutcheon

Mcutcheon is a dorm with air conditioning, a computer lab and several study rooms in the basement. Mcutcheon is a great place for flight students to live because the airport is only 5 minutes away and it’s right across the street from Purdue West which includes Folletts, Subway and Papa Johns. The massive downside to Mcutcheon is that it is the farthest dorm away from campus. It takes about 20 minutes to get to campus by foot. It also has the signature tiny freshman dorm rooms with community bathrooms.

12. Owen and Wiley

I decided to group Owen and Wiley because they are both freshman dominated dorms with no ac, community bathrooms and smaller rooms. Wiley is close to Wiley dining court, the co-rec and third street while Owen is closer to Ford dining court, Mackey and Ross-Ade. Both have a nice community feel but are about 15 minutes from campus and far from most of the other freshman dorms.

11. Tarkington

Tarkington is the all boy dorm. It’s on the list where it is because of its proximity to Wiley dining court, Ford dining court, Third Street and the Co-rec. The silver loop stops right in front of Tarkington which helps make up for the distance from campus. It also holds the Tarkington Market, a mini-convenience store where students can buy groceries, toiletries, etc.

10. Meredith

Meredith is lower on the list mainly because it’s one of the few dorms without ac. The lack of ac makes living there a little miserable in the summer but also convenient because it forces you and your floor mates to keep your doors open and meet new people or study in the lobby with other people. This makes the community in Meredith pretty strong. The upside is it’s just across the street from the Co-rec, Krach, Starbucks and third street market. It’s also not too far from campus and there’s a bus stop near it. When it’s warmer outside you can always find Meredith residents playing Frisbee outside, chatting on the porch and blasting music.

9. Harrison

Harrison is another freshman dorm with air conditioning resting directly in front of Mcutcheon, it’s still one of the furthest dorms from campus. However, it’s a leg up from Mcutcheon because it holds the Harrison Grille. The Grille has all of the greasy junk food a college student can ask for and usually stays open from mid-afternoon until 1 a.m. I stayed in Harrison my freshman year and it was great to go down to Harrison in my PJ’s late at night to buy a snack or dinner when there was too much snow on the ground. However, I still have to place Harrison low on the list for the community bathrooms and distance from campus.

8. Shreve and Earhart

I’m grouping Shreve and Earhart together because they are a similar distance from campus (about 10-15 minutes) and are both mainly where freshman live. Both dorms put on several events each year to help residents get to know each other and both have ac. The dorm rooms are still pretty small but both have really nice study lounges and Earhart has a dining court so students living there don’t even have to leave the dorm to go eat.

7. Cary Quadrangle

Cary quad is the all boy dorm. Sports lovers will enjoy Cary’s proximity to Mackey Arena and the Ross-Ade Stadium. Because of this closeness many athletes live in Cary and the courtyard in the center is perfect for playing Frisbee and other outdoor games. Cary also has the Cary Knight Spot Grill, similar to the Harrison Grille, for late night cravings. Although Cary has very nice and spacious suites for the upper classmen, I can’t place it high on the list because of the freshman dorms, they’re nicknamed the Cary closet for a reason. The freshman dorms are so small both roommates can be in their beds and high five each other.

6. Hillenbrand

Although Hillenbrand is far from campus (think, three minutes from Mcutcheon) it ranks fairly high on the list because of “Hillenbrunch.” Hillenbrand’s dining court is open every day at 10 am for brunch and it’s common to see students in PJs in the dining hall who just roll out of bed and come down to eat. Hillenbrand also has large double rooms and singles with shared bathrooms. Hillenbrand about a 30 second walk to the Parking garage. It mostly houses upperclassmen but there are also many freshman who manage to snag a room there. Because mostly upperclassmen live there, the community aspect is pretty weak. While floor mates will greet you in the halls, it’s not like they’ll be your close friends.

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5. Hawkins

Hawkins is a good option for older students. You have to be at least 20 years old to live there and it has single and double suites with private bathrooms and the entire dorm allows alcohol. It’s very far from any of the other dorm rooms but very close to the apartments which is fine for students who have friends who are not staying in the dorms. Hawkins is about 15 minutes away from any of the dining courts. So it’s a little more difficult to stay on the meal plan than it would in the other dorms. Luckily, Hawkins has an underground tunnel that leads straight to the union, which is convenient during the winter months. Hawkins is close to the agriculture campus, Krannert, and Young Hall and very convenient for students with several classes in those areas. For students who like to take advantage of thirsty Thursday, It’s a two minute walk from Chauncey.

4. Hilltop Apartments

When I was a freshman living in Harrison, one of my floor mates moved to Hilltop because it had a kitchenette for her to cook her own food instead of stay on the dining plan. Hilltop is the place for students looking to live a more apartment lifestyle. Although you can stick to the dining plan, there’s a kitchenette, a living room and plenty of space. Hilltop is also right next door to Ross-Ade Stadium and Mackey Arena and is the perfect place to live during game season. It’s also a short walk from Ford dining court. Hilltop can’t be high on the list because the apartment style living means most residents don’t usually interact with each other. The apartments are also literally on a hill so you could reach your exercise goals each day just by walking home every day.

3. First Street Towers

First Street is ranked high mostly for its hotel-like qualities. Internet and laundry are free, the lobby and hallways are always very calm and quiet, making it a great places to study. All the suites are singles with private bathrooms and maid service. It’s also only about a 10 minute walk from campus However because of the single rooms the community aspect is weak. Many older students live there have already established their friend groups and are not going out of their way to meet others.

2. Windsor

Windsor is an all-girl dorm that mostly houses sophomores and above. Although some freshman do end up in Windsor, it’s not likely. Windsor encompasses 5 halls: Duhme, Wood, Warren, Shealy and Vawter. Aside from having a private theater, an exercise room and several suite style dorms, it’s placed high on this list because it has tunnels that connect all five halls. This is super convenient in the winter time when the snow is up to your calves and you can get to Windsor dining hall without stepping outside. The community is strong in Windsor, there are always gatherings happening in the theater for “The Bachelor” or other reality shows and activities are constantly taking place outside. Also, the scenic courtyards are great places to study.

1. Third Street Suites

Third Street tops this list because of its suite-style living and its proximity to campus. Each suite houses 4 people and students have the option of choosing a suite with two rooms and a shared bathroom or two rooms, a living room and a shared bathroom. The dorm is attached to Starbucks and Third Street Market so residents don’t have to leave their dorm to grab a cup of coffee or a snack. It’s also right across the street from Windsor dining court, Wiley dining court, and the Co-rect. Although several upperclassmen live there, the community seems to be on the stronger side. One resident I talked to said several people attend floor dinners and people greet each other in the halls.