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Illinois State University Dorm Room Dimensions

Living off campus? See the college apartment checklist & shop

Illinois State University has room-dimension data for 1 residence hall. Published room sizes range from about 164 to 791 sq ft, with a median of 477 sq ft. Find exact width × length and square footage for each hall below, then preview your layout in the visualizer.

Cardinal Court

Room sizes
Room typeDimensionsSize
shared164 sq ft
single791 sq ft
Apartment-style & larger layouts (suite / apartment units)
Room typeDimensionsSize
triple1026 sq ft
single1085 sq ft
private1342 sq ft

What's included

  • Dishwasher
  • Oven (standard)
  • Oven (ceramic top)
  • Refrigerator
  • Microwave
  • Stacked Washer/Dryer
  • All-in-One Washer/Dryer
  • Thermostat (specifically page 5)
  • Space under full-size bed: 20 inches
  • Dresser: 30 inches wide x 23.75 inches deep x 30 inches tall 30″W × 23.8″D × 30″H
  • Desk: 48 inches wide x 24 inches deep x 30 inches tall 48″W × 24″D × 30″H
  • Space under twin XL bed: Adjustable, up to 31 inches

Design this room before move-in

Lay out your furniture before you arrive.

Open the room visualizer →

On-campus housing: 2026-27 rates & what's included

Room dimensions are only half the story — here is what Illinois State actually charges to live on campus, what shows up in the room before you unpack, and the appliance rules that decide what you can bring.

Heads up — this school breaks the usual rules

  • Personal microwaves are prohibited in residence hall rooms — ISU provides them in common areas only. Cardinal Court apartments already include one.
  • Do not buy curtains or blinds. Blinds are installed and students may not add their own window coverings.
  • Fridges are capped at 4.5 cubic feet and 1.5 running amps, and ISU neither rents nor supplies them. Drip coffee makers are banned; single-serve pod machines are fine.

Buying the standard college checklist here will waste money — check your building first.

Bed size: Twin XL (extra-long twin) in all residence halls — ISU's own packing list specifies extra-long twin sheets. Bedding sizes may differ in Cardinal Court apartments.

Rates by residence hall

Residence hallStyle2026-27 rate
Watterson Towers
28-story high-rise for first- and second-years; singles $4,489/sem.
Traditional$3,373/sem double ($6,746/yr)
Tri-Towers (Wilkins, Haynie, Wright)
Three connected halls; bathroom designation varies by floor.
Traditional$3,373/sem double; triples $2,867
Hewett-Manchester
Home to ISU's living-learning communities; gender-neutral bathrooms.
Suite$4,556/sem double in suite
Cardinal Court
Sophomores and transfers; full kitchen, meal plan optional.
Apartment$5,765/sem (4x4 single)
Fell Ave & School St Apartments
Lowest-cost university housing at ISU; upper-class and graduate students.
Apartment$3,183/sem double ($6,366/yr)

Rates compiled from the university's published housing rates, August 2026. Official rates page · Illinois State housing

Who has to live on campusStudents must live in University Housing for their first two years out of high school (fall and spring), subject to space. Releases must be approved in writing or a registration block may apply.
What's already in the roomMovable bed (bunkable/loftable), desk, chair, dresser and closet space, plus installed window blinds — students may NOT add their own curtains or blinds. Utilities and internet included. Cardinal Court apartments are furnished with a full-size fridge and microwave.
Fridge & microwave rulesBring your own — ISU does not rent or provide them. Personal fridges max 4.5 cubic feet and 1.5 running amps. Personal microwaves are prohibited in residence hall rooms; microwaves are provided in common areas. Cardinal Court kitchens already include both.
Leave these at homeHalogen lamps, candles, incense, lava lamps, personal microwaves, toasters and toaster ovens, air fryers, hot plates, drip coffee makers (single-serve Keurig-style is OK), kettles, blenders, grills, cinder blocks, hoverboards, and pets other than fish in tanks 10 gallons or under.

Thinking about moving off campus instead?

We priced out the real apartment communities Illinois State students rent at — with floor-plan links, unit sizes and current per-bed rates — so you can compare the two side by side.

Illinois State off-campus housing guide →

🛒 Outfitting your room at Illinois State University?
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