Dormitory vs Studio: What One Semester Costs

An example cost comparison for one semester (about 4 months) in a school dormitory and a one-room studio near campus in Seoul, with pros and cons and tips on applying and signing safely.

Updated Oct 21, 2026As of Oct 20265 min read

Housing is one of the biggest costs for a student. Here we compare one semester (about 4 months) in a school dormitory with a studio (one-room, 원룸) near a campus in Seoul. All numbers are examples to help you plan. They are not the real prices of any school or building.

Example cost for one semester

Item	School dormitory	Studio near campus
Deposit	None or a small amount (differs by school)	Often ₩3–10 million (returned when the contract ends)
Rent / dorm fee	About ₩1.0–2.0 million per semester (shared room)	About ₩450,000–700,000 per month
Maintenance fee	Usually included	About ₩50,000–100,000 or more per month
Utilities	Usually included	Extra: electricity, gas, water (sometimes internet)
Meals	Meal plan is optional	You cook or eat out
Furniture	Bed and desk provided	Often basic furniture; check before signing
Broker commission	None	Yes, if you rent through a broker
Example total (4 months)	About ₩1.0–2.0 million + meals	Rent + maintenance about ₩2.0–3.2 million + utilities + commission, and the deposit is held

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These ranges are examples only. Real prices depend on the school, the area, the room type and the season. Check your school’s dormitory notice and ask a broker for current prices.

Pros and cons

Dormitory – good: lower and simple cost, no deposit or contract stress, close to classes, easy to make friends.
Dormitory – not so good: shared room, curfew and rules (guests, cooking, noise), and at some schools you must move out during breaks.
Studio – good: your own space, no curfew, you can cook, and you can stay during breaks.
Studio – not so good: a big deposit, higher total cost, contracts are often for 1 year, and you handle bills and repairs yourself.

Who should choose what

For your first semester, a dorm is usually the better choice. You do not know the area yet, and signing a housing contract in Korean is not easy. After one or two semesters, if you want more freedom and can pay the deposit, a studio can make sense. Choose an area you know and ask friends about real costs.

How to get a dorm room

1
Check the dorm notice
After you are admitted, look for the dormitory notice from your school or language institute.
2
Apply early
Rooms are limited. Some schools decide by application order, others give priority to new students.
3
Prepare documents
Some dorms ask for a health check, such as a chest X-ray or a TB test result.
4
Pay and confirm
Pay the dorm fee by the deadline and keep the confirmation.
5
Move in
Read the dorm rules. If you move later, report your new address to immigration.

If you rent a studio, always sign the contract through a registered real estate broker. Before you pay the deposit, get the property registration certificate (등기사항증명서) from the Internet Registry Office to check the real owner and any loans secured on the building. Read the KOVIA housing guides before you sign.

Official sources

We link to the original source so you can check it yourself.

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