Residence Halls
Discover your home away from home
You’ll find that our residence halls are more than rooms—they’re vibrant communities that are inclusive, caring, and supportive. You’ll be able to meet new friends, engage in group activities, and just hang out. Cornell offers many different living options for our students—from well-accommodated dorms to apartment-style residences. Want to live in a place that really makes you feel welcome? Cornell College is for you.
First-year living
As a first-year student, you will live in one of five residence halls. Interested in living with students who share your common interests? Ask to be part of one of our first-year themed living communities.
Bowman-Carter Hall, an all-female residence hall, is the closest residence hall to the hub of campus life at the Thomas Commons.
Bowman-Carter Hall
Bowman-Carter Hall is an all-female dorm open to first-year students, sophomores, juniors, and seniors. Historic Bowman-Carter Hall features towering ceilings, a refurbished formal lounge, and a kitchen on the first floor.
Dows Hall is one of three residence halls that form what is commonly known as Tri-Hall, located south of Allee Chapel.
Dows Hall
Dows Hall features both single- and all-gender floors with A/C. It is also home to our STEM First Year Living Community. Dows Hall underwent a renovation to the sleeping rooms, bathrooms, lounge spaces, and kitchen.
Pauley-Rorem Hall is on the west side of campus near Russell Hall.
Pauley-Rorem Hall
Pauley-Rorem Hall houses mostly first-year students and attracts a fair amount of athletes due to its proximity to the athletic facilities in addition to students who enjoy its game room lounge and has A/C. Into fitness? Pauley-Rorem Hall may be a great place for you to live, as it is home to our Fit and Active Themed Living Community.
Pfeiffer Hall is one of the three halls that are part of the Tri-Hall area on the south side of campus.
Pfeiffer Hall
Pfeiffer Hall features open lounge areas, two kitchens, and other amenities that are designed to make you feel at home. This includes three separate bathrooms per floor which can cater to diverse gender preferences. Pfeiffer Hall houses all genders from all years.
Tarr Hall is one of three halls from the Tri-Hall area of campus south of Allee Chapel.
Tarr Hall
Tarr Hall features both single-gender and all-gender floors with A/C. Tarr Hall has several great study areas and even a performance stage for social events. This residence hall is also home to our Community Connections Themed Living Community.
Upper-class living
As an upper-class student, you’ll have a wide range of choices, including suite- and apartment style living. You’ll also have the opportunity to engage in a Living and Learning Community (LLC) where you can dig deep into topics with students who share your interests.
Merner Hall, an upper-class residence hall, is across the street from the SAW, our wellness and athletic facility.
Merner Hall
Merner Hall features both single- and all-gender floors. Merner Hall’s large lounge area is the perfect place to hang out with friends. This hall is popular among athletes due to its close proximity to the athletic facilities.
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Olin Hall is similar in shape and size as Merner Hall, across the street from the SAW.
Olin Hall
Olin Hall has both single-gender and all-gender floors. Historic Olin Hall features a large glass fishbowl-like lounge area and houses some of the largest double rooms on campus per square foot. This hall is popular among athletes due to its close proximity to the athletic facilities.
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Russell Hall is on the west side of campus near Pauley-Rorem Hall.
Russell Hall
One of the newer dormitories at Cornell College, Russell Hall has all-gender floors and rooms. Russell Hall features a wide range of amenities, including a furnished living room in each suite, a full kitchen on each floor, and central air.
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Smith Hall is near our 10th Ave. Apartments, south of the Hilltop campus.
Smith Hall
Smith Hall will be converted from residential to academic and other non-residential purposes beginning in 2024-25.
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The 10th Avenue Apartments is situated near Smith Hall, south of the Hilltop campus.
10th Avenue Apartments
A duplex-style building, the 10th Avenue Apartments are home to upper-class students of all genders. Each apartment features furnished bedrooms, a fully equipped kitchen, and central air conditioning
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The Wilch Apartments is across the street from the Hilltop campus area on First St.
Wilch Apartments
Converted into student housing in 2013, the Wilch Apartments welcome students of all genders. Featuring fully furnished bedrooms and full kitchens, the building has a mix of two-, three-, four-, and five-person apartments with A/C.
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