So, you got accepted to NYU; congrats! Now, the real challenge begins–finding the perfect first-year dorm. Despite its completely untraditional urban campus and lack of uniform architectural style, not all NYU residence halls are created equal. In fact, some are far better than others. Based on NYU students experience, here is a list of the top 5 NYU dorms.
1. Third North
If you’re an NYU student, odds are you have a friend (or several) who lives in Third North. The aptly named Third Avenue-located, East Village residence hall is home to over 950 first-year students, making it one of the largest dorms NYU has to offer. Third North’s location is a big sell–it’s halfway between the Washington Square campus and the Union Square campus. So, if you’re late to class, you don’t have a ton of excuses! The East Village is also home to countless restaurants and bars; it’s the perfect place to make friends and build a community in a new city. Besides its prime location, Third North has a dining hall, a coffee shop, and an outdoor courtyard. If you’re looking to connect with students of similar interests, try applying for one of Third North’s “Exploration” floors, which houses students based on specific themes.
NYU – Third North Dorm Cost
| Room Type | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Single in Unit/Loft | $10,425.00 | $20,850.00 |
| Lower Cost Single in Unit or Double in Unit/Studio/Loft | $8,954.00 | $17,908.00 |
| Lower Cost Double in Unit/Loft | $7,354.00 | $14,708.00 |
2. Brittany Hall
If you’re looking to live in a dorm that’s been recently renovated, Brittany Hall is for you. Brittany is home to 579 first-year students, and it boasts three “Exploration” floors, where students can enjoy events and activities centered on themes like “Black Violets” and “For All Musical Endeavors (FAME).” Brittany also features an enormous lounge and performance space called the Rhodes Room, in addition to laundry, study lounges, a music room, and dance rooms.
NYU – Brittany Hall Dorm Cost
| Room Type | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Double in Unit/Studio | $7,913.00 | $15,826.00 |
| Triple in Unit/Studio | $7,033.00 | $14,066.00 |
3. Founders Hall
Ever dreamed of living on the site of a converted historic church? If so, Founders Hall is your ideal first-year home. Housing a cool 700 students and located on a quiet block on East 12th street, Founders is a nice escape from the hustle and bustle of the Washington Square Park and Union Square campuses. You don’t have to be worried about getting lost, though; Founders stands out from the uniform apartment buildings and brownstones that surround it. Hidden behind the original facade of St. Ann’s church, Founders is certainly the most architecturally interesting residence hall NYU has to offer. Students living in Founders enjoy a shady courtyard, two lounges complete with tv’s, a computer room, laundry, and trash/recycling rooms. Founders is also NYU’s most eco-friendly residence hall with emphasis placed on sustainability and energy conservation.
NYU – Founders Hall Dorm Cost
| Room Type | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Double in Unit/Studio | $7,913.00 | $15,826.00 |
4. Goddard Hall
Goddard Hall is the only residential college for first-year students, which means incoming freshmen need to apply and be accepted to live in this residence. The smallest dorm on campus, Goddard houses 220 students, each of whom are organized into six themes. Each theme serves as a sub-community where students participate in events like going to Broadway shows and completing service projects. Students in Goddard Hall get a jump-start on their careers through networking, meeting with mentors, and engaging with peers, faculty, and alumni. But, the exclusivity of Goddard isn’t the only selling point. Goddard is also located directly on Washington Square Park, and it’s extremely close to several dining halls.
NYU – Goddard Hall Dorm Cost
| Room Type | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Single in Unit/Studio | $9,408.00 | $18,816.00 |
| Double in Unit/Studio | $7,913.00 | $15,826.00 |
| Triple in Studio | $7,033.00 | $14,066.00 |
| Lower Cost Double in Unit /Triple in Studio | $5,881.00 | $11,762.00 |
5. Lipton Hall
I lived in Lipton my freshman year, but I’m not biased. Ask any NYU student what the best first-year residence hall is, and I guarantee they’ll say Lipton. Lipton is newly renovated, and it features hardwood floors, sunny rooms with private bathrooms, and its own dining hall. When I lived in Lipton, I had a view of the Empire State Building! Lipton is also primely located on Washington Square West and is a ten-minute walk from the Union Square campus. Lipton is a very social dorm, and its over 700 students can relax in the comfy lounge/common room, cook tasty meals in the community kitchen, and practice their ping pong skills in the game room. Multilingual students will want to take full advantage of Lipton’s “Exploration” floors, like the Spanish Floor and the French Floor (which I lived on and loved).
NYU – Lipton Hall Dorm Cost
| Room Type | Semester Rate | Academic Year Rate |
| Single in Unit/Studio | $9,408.00 | $18,816.00 |
| Double in Unit/Studio | $7,913.00 | $15,826.00 |
| Triple in Unit/Studio | $7,033.00 | $14,066.00 |
Here are other NYU dorms for First-Year Undergraduate Students
WEINSTEIN HALL
UNIVERSITY HALL
RUBIN HALL (Non-Air Conditioned)
OTHMER HALL (Brooklyn-Based)
CLARK HALL (Brooklyn-Based)
Great info about NYU dorms here, thanks!