Board of Trustees approves modest increases to 2026-27 housing and food rates

Editor's note: Penn State's Board of Trustees approved the 2026-27 housing and food rates, as outlined below, during its meeting on July 18.

ABINGTON, Pa. — The standard housing and food rate at Penn State’s University Park campus, based on a traditional double room and the mid-level meal plan, would increase by $198 per semester, or 2.85%, for the 2026-27 academic year under a plan advanced today (July 17) by the Penn State Board of Trustees Committee on Finance and Investment.  

The proposed rates will next go to the full board for a final vote on Friday, July 18. If approved, the aggregate rate increase would be the lowest at University Park in the last seven years, while keeping Penn State’s overall housing and food costs below the Big Ten average. The proposed rates would cover anticipated cost increases for food; operating expenses, including the operation of the Residence Life program; employee salaries and benefits; facilities upkeep and maintenance; and debt service on Housing and Food Services’ (HFS) capital plan, according to Sara Thorndike, senior vice president for Finance and Business/treasurer and chief financial officer. 

“At Penn State, we recognize that college is a significant investment for students and their families, and we are committed to managing every aspect of what our students pay to attend, including the cost of housing and meals,” Thorndike said. "We continue to face expense increases, such as rising costs for food, fuel, utilities and supplies, and have made a concerted effort to keep our rates as low as possible, while continuing to offer students comfortable and safe living spaces and high-quality dining experiences.” 

Housing and Food Services is a self-supporting auxiliary unit that operates residence halls at 12 Penn State campuses across the commonwealth. Neither state funds nor tuition dollars are used for the construction, maintenance or operations of the housing and dining program. As a result, housing and food revenues must cover all operating expenses, debt, interest, and major maintenance and facility renewal costs. 

University Park rates and capital plan update 

At University Park, undergraduate housing rates would increase by 2.75%. The cost of a traditional double room, which makes up the largest percentage of the University’s room inventory, would increase by $111 per semester, or 2.75%, to $4,150. The cost of the mid-level meal plan, the most popular option, would rise by $87 per semester, or 3%, to $2,988, bringing the total per-semester housing and food rate at University Park to $7,138 for the 2026-27 academic year. 

For the sixth year in a row, graduate housing rates at the White Course Apartments at University Park would be held flat, with a one-bedroom, one-bathroom, unfurnished apartment remaining $1,168 per month. Graduate apartment lease rates have not increased since the 2020-21 academic year. 

Thorndike said that HFS is currently renovating Pollock Halls, specifically the Ritner and Wolf residence halls. Thorndike also said that HFS remains committed to addressing deferred maintenance at its oldest buildings, and the proposed rates for 2026-27 are inclusive of $27 million that has been budgeted to address annual maintenance, including roof replacements, plumbing repairs, elevator maintenance, furniture, painting, equipment, technology and security in residence facilities across the commonwealth. 

Commonwealth Campus rates

At all Commonwealth Campuses with residential dining, the cost of the mid-level meal plan would rise by $41 per semester, or 1.5%, to $2,804 for 2026-27. 

At Penn State’s Abington, Altoona, Beaver, Behrend, Berks, Brandywine and Harrisburg campuses, undergraduate housing rates would increase by 1.75%. In total, the cost of a traditional double room and mid-level meal plan at these seven campuses would rise by $110 per semester, or 1.64%, to $6,815.  

At the Greater Allegheny, Hazleton, Mont Alto and Schuylkill campuses, undergraduate housing rates would be held flat. In total, the cost of a traditional double room and mid-level meal plan at these four campuses would rise by $41 per semester, or 0.62%, to $6,603. 

The proposed 2026-27 rates for each campus and the various room types can be viewed here; final rates will be posted at liveon.psu.edu/rates. Housing and food rates for the 2025-26 academic year were previously approved by the board at its July 2024 meeting. 

LiveOn grant program continues to support students in need 

To support students with financial need, Penn State initiated the LiveOn Student Success Grant program during the 2021-22 academic year to help offset the cost of living on campus. Available at all Penn State’s residential campuses, the program provides eligible students with a $3,000 grant that can be renewed annually for four years, providing total savings of up to $12,000. For a student living on campus for all four years, the grant covers roughly one free year of housing and food costs.  

Thorndike said that in both 2025-26 and 2026-27, HFS projects that it will award LiveOn grants totaling more than $1.5 million to approximately 500 students each year, after awarding more than $1.3 million to 438 students in 2024-25. Students can learn more about the LiveOn program online. 

Additional resources are available  for any student who may be facing challenges with food or housing insecurity. All Penn State campuses also have food pantries or other community resources available for students in need of assistance.