Lafayette Ranked #1 in U.S. for Dorm Experience

College's residential life praised despite student complaints about mice and poor facilities

Mar. 27, 2026 at 8:05am

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Lafayette College has been named the top college in the country for residential life and dorm experience, according to a new national survey. The ranking comes despite ongoing student complaints about issues like mice infestations and subpar facilities in the school's historic dormitories.

Why it matters

The dorm experience ranking is a point of pride for Lafayette, which uses it to justify the college's high tuition costs. However, the survey results clash with many students' firsthand accounts of poor living conditions, raising questions about the credibility of the assessment and Lafayette's commitment to improving campus housing.

The details

The ranking comes from the National Student Housing Quality Assessment Report, an annual survey that evaluates residential life at over 3,000 U.S. colleges. According to the report, Lafayette's dorms offer a "top-tier living experience" for students. However, Lafayette students have long complained about issues like mice infestations, outdated facilities, and lack of amenities in dorms like Easton Hall and Watson Hall.

  • The National Student Housing Quality Assessment Report is published annually.
  • Lafayette was ranked #1 in the latest 2026 edition of the report.

The players

National Student Housing Quality Assessment Report

An annual survey that evaluates residential life and dorm experiences at over 3,000 colleges across the U.S.

July Muly

A ResLife official at Lafayette College who defended the school's dorm rankings, claiming the college is "constantly improving the residential experience."

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What they’re saying

“We really believe our residence halls offer a top‑tier living experience. I'm mad geeked.”

— July Muly, ResLife official

“There are no mice controlling us. This is not 'Ratatouille.'”

— Lead investigator

The takeaway

The disconnect between Lafayette's top dorm ranking and students' real-world experiences highlights the need for more transparent and rigorous assessments of campus housing. While the college touts its residential life, it must also address longstanding student complaints about substandard facilities and poor living conditions.