Does Texas Tech Really Need to Force Freshmen to Live on Campus?

If you're a freshman headed to Texas Tech, congratulations! You're probably feeling pretty spiffy, and you should. You've worked your buns off to get there. And what's more? You're officially an adult! You can vote, sign contracts, and make a ton of questionable financial decisions all by your lonesome...

But apparently, you can't necessarily decide for yourself where to live.

black apparels hanging on door

Texas Tech University requires first-year students to live in campus housing unless they qualify for an exemption. Tech says the policy is all about student success and cites research that suggests students who live on campus are much more likely to stay enrolled and have higher GPAs.

And, well, fair enough.

But here's where I start scratching my head like a little goblin...

For the 2026-2027 academic year, a traditional double room at Texas Tech University costs $5275. Students living on campus are also required to purchase a dining plan. The Matador Plan (the cheapest option) is $3,970.

Do you have your calculator handy?

That's a whopping $9,245 for housing and dining before your books, tuition, and all of the other fees that college manages to charge.

Students also can't simply sign an apartment lease and opt out, either. They've got to qualify to be exempt.

All I want to know is, is this really about student success?

Maybe.

But I think it's fair to ask whether a university requiring students to purchase relatively expensive housing and dining has the financial incentive to keep that sort of thing a requirement. Makes you wonder...

I'm not saying Texas Tech is running a dorm-based money grab...

I'm just asking why an adult who is old enough to take out tens of thousands of dollars in student loans, which they'll likely be scrambling to pay off for the rest of their lives, isn't old enough to decide where they want to sleep and what they want to eat.

Read More: How A Missed Warning Sign Sparked Debate Over Lubbock's Art Trail

Should Texas Tech freshmen be allowed to choose where they stay?

I'd love to hear what you think. Reach me at Chrissy.Covington@townsquaremedia.com and give me your opinion. Then, keep scrolling for more odds and ends in the galleries below...