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Row of modern red-brick residence halls at Skidmore College, featuring distinctive green metal roofs with large angular dormer windows; the buildings are surrounded by trees, landscaped paths, and green lawns under a partly cloudy sky.

Housing & Dining

With sustainably-sourced, award-winning dining and outstanding residence options, an amazing college town, and 1,200 acres of natural beauty to enjoy — there’s a reason Skidmore is a top school for quality of life.
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Let's eat

From our (famous) Chicken Finger Fridays to themed meals (think: Game of Thrones-inspired), allergy-inclusive options, and maximum freshness from our own community garden, this isn't your typical college dining. Dine with friends at Murray-Aikins Dining Hall, grab something to go at The Spa, and caffeinate at Burgess Cafe — whichever you choose, it will be delicious.
Campus dining chefs in tall white hats carefully plating gourmet meals in a Skidmore College kitchen.

Gold medal quality

When we say “award-winning chefs,” we mean it. Skidmore’s Dining Services team is seven-time American Culinary Federation gold medalists for culinary excellence.
Our secret to success
Smiling Skidmore student in a campus dining hall holding up a chocolate chip cookie while wearing a green Skidmore College hoodie.er

Kitchen creativity

Our Dining Services team is constantly trying new recipes and experimenting. Craving your favorite food from home? Leave a note on the napkin board and see what shows up on the menu.
See what's on the menu
Skidmore students enjoying a themed dining event, scooping chocolate from a fountain at a dessert station.

Dishing out the fun

A few times each semester, a dedicated team of students and Dining Services employees transform Murray-Aikins Dining Hall in homage to a beloved book, film, or TV show — with a creative new menu to match!
Discover theme nights
Two Skidmore students chatting and carrying plates of food in the college dining hall during a meal.

Minus worries, plus flavor

Allergy-friendly dining is a piece of cake; Murray-Aikins' Minus 9 station serves entrées free of the nine most common food allergens: peanut, tree nut, fish, shellfish, soy, eggs, gluten, dairy, and sesame. 
Read a student's perspective
Student turning compost with a pitchfork at Skidmore’s composting station as part of the college’s sustainability efforts.

Full-circle sustainability

We love compost. And going "trayless" for less food waste. And sourcing locally as much as possible, including from our own student-run community garden. When you serve thousands of chocolate chip cookies per day, prioritizing sustainable dining is serious business.
Watch the video

Let's sleep

Housing is guaranteed for all Skidmore students, and 90% of students live on campus. First-year students live in suite-style residence halls and older students can apply to live in our sought-after apartments. Oh, and laundry is free!
Two Skidmore students smiling together in a cozy residence hall room, holding a pillow and picture frame during move-in.

Find your people

Morning person? Music person? The summer before you arrive, you'll fill out a questionnaire and we'll assign a room and new best friends to match.
Skidmore student sitting by a large window seat with green ivy outside, reading a book and enjoying a quiet moment their dorm room.

Prime picture spot

Huge, sunny window seats are a must (and loved so much they're basically lore) for catching sunsets over the mountains or peaceful snowflakes falling.
Skidmore resident assistant smiling outdoors near Haupt Pond, wearing a name tag and “Creating Communities of Care” T-shirt.

Built-in support

Your resident assistant (RA) is a trained student leader who lives on your floor and serves as a go-to resource for safety, connection, and support.
Skidmore College residence halls with red brick exteriors and tall windows overlook a sunny green quad lined with trees and benches.

Residence halls

Our eight traditional residence halls house primarily first-year and sophomore students in double and triple rooms. Each residence hall offers lounge areas, kitchenette facilities, study rooms, (free) laundry, and vending services.
Take a tour
Skidmore student smiling while working on a laptop in a neatly decorated dorm room, surrounded by posters and personal touches.

Special interest housing

All students are invited to apply to live in one of our special interest communities, further expanding your residential experience. Options range from learning topics, like our gardenside sustainability community, to identity and cultural, such as gender-inclusive or global. 
Learn more

Let's explore (on campus)

With a wide array of opportunities for cultural enrichment right on campus, and endless student activities, you’ll never not have weekend plans or reasons to go out and make new friends.
Two Skidmore students in period costume perform a dramatic scene at a piano during a campus theater production.

Theater productions

Janet Kinghorn Bernhard Theater (JKB) offers a 350-seat auditorium, experimental black box theater, rehearsal studios, and costume and scene shops. Grab a ticket to your friend's show!
Current productions
A Skidmore student takes notes while observing an art installation in a gallery space painted dark red.

World-class art

At the Frances Young Tang Teaching Museum and Art Gallery, you’ll experience exceptional exhibitions and be part of a nationally renowned center for art and ideas.
Current exhibitions
A performer in an orange dress and green shawl passionately sings and gestures on stage during a musical performance at Skidmore College.

Concerts and performances

If you’re into Grammy-winning artists, experimental performances, or really cool speakers (who isn’t?), the Arthur Zankel Music Center is the place for you.
Upcoming events
A student walks past Lyrical Ballad, a locally beloved independent bookstore in downtown Saratoga Springs, with a green-striped awning and inviting storefront display.

Life in one of the top 10 U.S. college towns

“I arrived at Skidmore without a driver’s license — let alone a car; I was worried that I would feel trapped on campus, but with lively and beautiful downtown Saratoga Springs only a short walk away, my fears were quick to fade.”

— Grace Mahon ’26 

Read Grace's story

Let's explore (off campus)

The fun doesn’t stop at the edge of campus. Saratoga Springs and the surrounding region is one of the top tourist destinations in the Northeast United States with international appeal for its history, recreation, and culture.
View of the New York City skyline at dusk, with the Empire State Building lit in green and One World Trade Center glowing in the background — showcasing Skidmore’s urban proximity.

Metro connections

Skidmore is just three hours by car from both New York City and Boston. Prefer the train? Amtrak’s Empire Service gets you to Manhattan in just over two hours.
A packed crowd enjoys a high-energy concert at Saratoga Performing Arts Center, lit by colorful stage lights under SPAC’s distinctive open-air amphitheater.

Cultural pulse

The Capital Region is full of world-class arts venues, but the standout is Saratoga Performing Arts Center — home to the New York City Ballet, the Philadelphia Orchestra, and concerts from artists like Noah Kahan, Dead & Co, and Post Malone
Pink tulips bloom in front of the iconic Spirit of Life statue in Saratoga Springs’ Congress Park, honoring the city’s legacy and natural springs with classical elegance.

Storied surroundings

From historic mineral springs and Victorian architecture to Revolutionary War landmarks (and yes, rumored ghost sightings), Saratoga Springs blends past and present in a "feels like home" way.
Skidmore students explore the rocky base of a scenic waterfall on a field trip, holding notebooks and smiling during a hands-on environmental science outing in upstate New York.

Natural wonders

Get your camera ready — the lakes and mountains around Skidmore are world-class. From New York’s Adirondacks and Vermont’s Green Mountains to our very own North Woods, outdoor adventure awaits year-round.
Hand-painted pumpkins sit on a Saratoga Springs sidewalk, each showcasing local icons like historic buildings, fall harvest scenes, and the city’s “Health, History, Horses” welcome sign — part of a festive downtown display.

Festive charm

Looking for Gilmore Girls vibes in a bigger city? Saratoga’s 30,000+ residents make it Stars Hollow–plus. Don’t miss Chowderfest, the Victorian Street Walk, pond hockey, or the annual giant pumpkin weigh-off.
People relax with drinks and conversation outside Uncommon Grounds, a popular coffee and bagel spot in downtown Saratoga Springs

Really good bagels

And pizza. And ice cream. Plus regional musts like cider donuts and maple syrup. Saratoga’s dining scene is expansive — and locals take pride in turning fresh, local ingredients into unforgettable flavors.