Career college students: Have you thought about these two huge housing decisions?

When you're looking at student housing options, you'll probably encounter two decisions that can significantly impact both your wallet and your experience:

1. What type of lease to sign
2. Whether to live with roommates

These choices are more connected than you might think, and getting them right can save you money and maybe even lead to lifelong friendships.

Let's break down what you need to know about both:

The lease decision that could save (or cost) you thousands

Here's something many career college students don't realize until it's too late: not all leases are created equal. The type of lease you sign can be the difference between a manageable housing situation and a financial nightmare.

With an individual lease, you're only responsible for your portion of the rent and utilities. Period. If your roommate decides to drop out and move back home, you're not left scrambling to cover their share of the rent.

This protection is especially important for career college students. Life happens—family emergencies, health issues, job opportunities, or financial challenges can all impact a student's ability to complete their program. When these situations arise, the last thing you want is to be financially responsible for someone else's housing costs.

Companies like Collegiate Housing Services (CHS) specialize in individual leases for exactly this reason. They understand that career college students need flexibility and protection that traditional apartment leases often don't provide.

With a joint lease, everyone who signs is responsible for the full rent amount. So if one person moves out, the remaining roommates still have to cover their portion or everyone could face legal consequences from the landlord.

Imagine this scenario: You're three months into your program, and your roommate has to leave school due to a family emergency. With a joint lease, you're suddenly responsible for their monthly rent on top of your own. That's a lot of extra money you weren't planning to spend.

Now imagine that same scenario with an individual lease. Your roommate leaves, but you're only responsible for your agreed-upon portion. The housing provider handles finding a replacement roommate, and your budget stays intact.

Why career college students should consider shared housing (with an individual lease, of course)

Here's where things get interesting. While individual leases protect you from roommate risks, sharing housing with other students can actually enhance your experience in ways you might not have considered.

The financial benefits are obvious (but worth repeating). Sharing a two-bedroom apartment among four people versus getting your own one-bedroom can save you hundreds of dollars each month. For a 10-12 month career program, that's potentially thousands of dollars you can put toward your education, certification costs, or building your career wardrobe instead of rent. Even if you opt for a private bedroom within a shared apartment, you'll typically pay less than you would for a comparable one-bedroom apartment.

The hidden benefits are even better. Beyond the money you'll save, shared housing offers advantages that many career college students overlook:

• Built-in study support: Having roommates in similar programs means you have people who understand your schedule, your stress levels, and your goals. They can help you stay motivated when classes get tough and celebrate with you when you hit milestones.
• Instant social network: Moving to a new city for school can be lonely. Roommates give you an immediate social connection and people to explore your new area with. Many career college students are so focused on their studies that they forget the value of having peers who "get it."
• Life skills practice: Learning to live with others, communicate about shared spaces, and navigate different personalities are all valuable life skills that will serve you well in your career. Many jobs require collaboration and compromise — skills you'll naturally develop through shared housing.
• Safety in numbers: Especially if you're in an unfamiliar city, having roommates can provide an added sense of security. There's comfort in knowing someone else is around and aware of your schedule.

Why career students often overlook shared housing

Most traditional college students expect to share housing, especially in their first year. But career college students often think they’ll have too hard of a time finding roommates or that they need complete independence.

Here's the thing: when you enroll in a program at a career college, you might only be in school for 10-12 months! That’s such a short period of time, but it can set up the rest of your life. Being flexible with your living situation during this time can help you save money and build connections that extend well beyond graduation.

Dave Whiteford from Collegiate Housing Services, who spent over 20 years running career schools, puts it perfectly: "I know everybody would like to live in their own room. But consider all the benefits of sharing a room. Beyond the financial benefits, it can help you build a strong bond with someone in your same situation and make a lifelong friend."

For many career college students, the combination of individual leases and shared housing is the best of both worlds: financial protection and community benefits. You get the security of only being responsible for your own costs while still enjoying the social and financial advantages of living with others.

Your housing situation should make your life easier, not harder. By understanding your lease options and considering the benefits of shared housing, you're setting yourself up for a positive experience that supports your bigger goals.

Does Collegiate Housing Services partner with your school? Find out now!