Estimated cost: $14,900-$17,300
Low-cost rooms available: No
Commute to campus: 10 minutes
Nearby subways: N, Q, R, 4, 5, 6, L
Shuttle: No

Carlyle Court residence hall is divided into three towers surrounding a beautiful courtyard. There is a study lounge as well as an entertainment lounge and a practice room. Each room in Carlyle is equipped with a spacious kitchen (by Manhattan standards) and a private bathroom.

In terms of location, Carlyle, placed on Union Square West between 15th and 16th streets, cannot be beat. Walking to class is not far, as Washington Square Park is only a pleasant, ten-minute walk away. The Union Square Greenmarket opens 20 feet away from the residence hall — perfect for students who like to cook with fresh produce straight from local farms.

However, if you decide to live in a quad, you may want to avoid the A-room. Two residents in each quad will spend a year with their beds in the living room, which is connected to the kitchen. Although residents try their best to close their rooms off with a curtain, it is not ideal for people who enjoy privacy. You undoubtedly will be woken up when your suitemate tries to cook ramen at 3 a.m.

Most rooms in the residence hall are either a double or a quad.

—Daniel Yeom