Purdue University is a public research university located in West Lafayette, Indiana, United States.

Purdue dorms come in a few different styles: from standard double rooms in a traditional residence hall, to suite and semi-suite rooms, to single rooms and apartments. Purdue offers a host of options and choosing an option is dependent on what you prioritize in your living space, whether that be location and convenience, communal space, parking, amenities and preferred number of roommates.

Cary Quadrangle, affectionately known as "Cary," is a sprawling dorm with diverse room types. It is especially praised for its prime location, within walking distance to the academic campus, Armstrong Hall, Ford dining, and vibrant quad. For sports enthusiasts, Mackey and Ross-Ade stadiums are nearby. Students appreciate the suite-style rooms in Cary's outer buildings (West, NW, NE, East), which offer spacious, air-conditioned rooms with a semi-private bathroom. They also note a quiet atmosphere despite its size, weekly cleaning service, and exciting dorm-sponsored events.

However, Cary has some downsides. Parking is limited, and access to laundry rooms is inconvenient, particularly in the South building where none exist. Some found game days noisy, and the distance to the central part of the Residential Campus was considered a drawback. Students were divided about Cary South: while many complained about the small, un-air-conditioned rooms famously known as "Cary Closets," others appreciated the community spirit they created.

Despite these minor issues, students felt living in Cary was a memorable experience, thanks to its lively community atmosphere, student-oriented facilities, and iconic status. They recommend choosing rooms in the outer buildings and bringing a Brita due to lack of water bottle fillers in East.


Tarkington Hall, commonly known as Tark, offers a unique college experience with its vibrant community and prime location, though it comes with its fair share of challenges. It's an all-male dorm with a reputation for fostering strong camaraderie among residents, where open doors and spontaneous hangouts are a norm. One of the standout features is its location, conveniently near the Co-Rec center, Wiley and Ford dining courts, and Slater Hill. Despite its social perks, Tark is an old and outdated building, lacking air conditioning, which makes it uncomfortable during warmer months. The bathrooms are notoriously problematic, often suffering from issues like flooding and poor sanitation. Additionally, rooms can be cramped, especially when converted into triples due to housing shortages. While there's no elevator, the Shark Tank provides entertainment with TVs, ping pong, and pool. Overall, Tark may be rough around the edges, but its sense of community and friendships make it a memorable choice for many residents.

Earhart Hall is a popular choice among freshmen at the college, offering a mix of comfort, community, and convenience. This dorm is considered one of the nicer options on campus, boasting air conditioning and a relatively newer building structure compared to others. Dorm rooms are cozy, albeit slightly small for two people, yet they feature great closets with built-in mirrors and desks that fit neatly under lofted beds. The communal bathrooms, recently renovated, are a highlight, praised for their cleanliness, modernity, and excellent water pressure.

Located a bit away from the academic campus, the dorm compensates with a bus stop right outside for easy commuting, as well as proximity to the COREC and Krach facilities. A major perk is the dining court within the building, offering decent food and with popular features like a soft serve ice cream rotation. Although some aspects show the building’s age, such as the elevators, Earhart Hall remains a liveable and social environment, vibrant with a diverse community. Many former residents recount making lifelong friendships and finding an inclusive atmosphere conducive to both study and fun.

Honors College and Residences at Purdue University is heralded as one of the top dorm choices, particularly for freshmen, due to its strategic location and excellent amenities. It offers two sections, North and South, connected via an underground tunnel, with North being co-ed and South exclusively for women. The dorms are praised for their modern, spacious rooms with abundant natural light and plenty of closet space, making them comfortable living options. Each floor is equipped with multiple lounges for socializing or studying, and the building includes conveniences like a half-kitchen in North and a full-kitchen in South, as well as a computer lab and printer in South. The proximity to academic buildings, dining options including Cosi and Chick-fil-A, and campus landmarks like Mackey and Ross-Ade is a major draw. Despite the few drawbacks like occasional bathroom cleanliness issues and strict ResLife policies, residents generally find the community vibrant, with numerous social and academic events fostering a lively environment. However, the price is noted to be a bit high. Overall, Honors College and Residences provide an excellent balance of comfort, convenience, and community engagement.

Hillenbrand Hall offers a modern and comfortable living experience for college students, characterized by its spacious suite-style rooms and private bathrooms shared only with suitemates. The dorm is praised for its cleanliness and high-quality amenities including controllable air conditioning and heating. Each floor features a lounge and a kitchen, adding to the convenience and comfort of the residents. Although the dorm is situated further away from the main academic campus, residents appreciate its proximity to the COREC and other dining courts. The on-site dining court is noted for its quality, despite being less favored than Earhart by some. The basement offers additional amenities such as a gym, washers and dryers, a music room, and the practicality of a to-go box option from the dining hall. Hillenbrand Hall is particularly popular for those who value privacy and great views, though its distance from central campus may be a drawback for some. Overall, Hillenbrand Hall stands out as one of the best dorms on campus, especially for its spaciousness and the convenience of having a private bathroom.

Hawkins Hall offers a mixed bag of experiences, highlighted by affordability, a prime location, and varying degrees of room quality. The building itself is older, with outdated amenities such as thin walls and unreliable thermostats. However, Hawkins shines with its convenient closeness to the academic campus, underground tunnels, and surrounding attractions like Chauncey and the Union. For those seeking budget accommodations, single rooms with communal bathrooms are an economical choice, while more space and privacy can be found in the double rooms with shared or private bathrooms. The dorm features both coed and single-gender floors, with the east side primarily singles and the more active west side for doubles. Residents appreciate frequent cleaning services despite logistical inconveniences, although the bathrooms and water heating systems often receive mixed reviews. Overall, Hawkins attracts a quieter, more laid-back crowd, although the occasional late-night fire alarm disrupts the peace.

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Cary Quadrangle

Tarkington Hall

Earhart Hall

Honors College and Residences

Hillenbrand Hall