What is the Difference Between Room and Board?

The difference between room and board lies in the specific aspects of college life they cover. Room and board is a comprehensive fee that includes both housing and meals provided by the college or university.

• Room: This refers to the cost of a college student's dorm room or other on-campus housing provided through the school's office of residential life. It includes the expenses for maintaining the functionality of the dorm buildings and the indirect costs such as Wi-Fi and water.
• Board: This typically refers to the meal plans provided on campus. Students are given a card to swipe at campus cafeterias, providing them access to meals. Some colleges give a set number of meals, while others provide a set amount of money to be used at campus dining facilities.

The overall cost of room and board can be affected by factors such as location, housing type, meal plan, and amenities. It is essential for students to consider these expenses when creating their college budgets, as forgetting to include them can result in being thousands of dollars short.

Comparative Table: Room vs Board

The difference between a room and a board can be summarized in the following table:

In the context of "room and board," the phrase refers to the combination of lodging (room) and meals (board) provided in a place of residence, such as a hotel, dormitory, or boarding house.