WashU tops national rankings for residence halls and quality of life 

When it comes to making college feel like home, WashU sets the standard.

In the Princeton Review’s most recent rankings, the university once again claimed the #1 spot in the nation for Best College Dorms and #1 for Best Quality of Life, affirmations of the university’s ongoing commitment to creating an exceptional living and learning environment for its students.

This recognition reflects the Division of Student Affair’s commitment to healthy excellence. 

“Our residence halls are more than just places to sleep—they are designed as vibrant, supportive communities where students receive holistic support and thrive academically and socially as a result,” said Dr. Anna Gonzalez, vice chancellor for Student Affairs.

It is not just the physical spaces on campus that outrank other universities. WashU also ranks #1 for quality of life. The Princeton Review factors the beauty of campus, safety, dining quality, friendliness of peers and overall student satisfaction in this metric. In addition, WashU is in the top 10 for Friendliest Students, Most Beautiful Campus and Best Campus Food—highlighting the sense of student well-being and belonging that defines daily life at WashU.

“By investing in our residential communities and intentional co-curricular programming, we ensure that our students feel a sense of belonging and have access to what they need to thrive,” said Gonzalez. “The Princeton Review rankings simply make official what students already know: the student experience at WashU is second to none.”