Housing & Dining
Interested in living on campus? Your CBU dorm or apartment is a place where life—and growth—happens. You'll get to attend residence-only parties and trips to foster community. And eventually your floormates will become some of your best friends.
CBU's dining has been voted the #2 best college food in California and #4 best college food in the country by Niche.com. Come see for yourself what makes our food so delicious!
In This Section
Eating and Living on Campus
Two of the first questions you may ask about life on campus at CBU are: Where will I live? and what will I eat? CBU has eleven award-winning dining locations, serving everything from smoothies to burgers, as well as a variety of dorms and apartment buildings. Your life for the next few years will be easy, comfortable and beautiful.
Meal Plans
Meal plans at CBU come with as little as 35 meal swipes per semester to as much as 270 meal swipes per semester. Meal swipes and Dining Dollars are accepted not only in our award-winning cafeteria but in every dining location on campus.
Dining Locations
CBU has ten on-campus dining locations — from Chick-fil-A to our original El Monte Grill (delicious Mexican food) and Lancers Landing (a mobile coffee shop).
Residences
There are five freshmen-only residences at CBU (Smith Hall, Simmons Hall, Tower Hall, The Cottages and The Village) as well as eleven total residences. Our newest is Magnolia Crossing, a state-of-the-art gated apartment complex right across the street from campus.
FAQs
Are you required to live on campus? Where do you do laundry? What about meal plans? See the answers to these FAQs and more.
Special Diets
Have allergies or a special diet? No worries. CBU is proud to provide many special diet options for vegetarians, vegans, gluten intolerants, lactose intolerants and others.
What to Bring
Not sure if you need to bring your own mini fridge or chair? See what CBU already provides in each living area.
Living and Dining Spaces
CBU has 10 award-winning dining locations as well as 11 dorm and apartment buildings. Check out some of the places on campus you'll be living and dining while studying at CBU.
Expand itemThe Colony
The Colony apartments offer a great community experience for transfer and continuing residential students (freshmen are not eligible). Colony apartments are fully furnished and, depending on the size of the apartment, accommodate 3 to 4 residents. A thriving community of upperclassmen, The Colony has much to offer, including a pool, community area and an outdoor basketball court. Colony residents will have many opportunities to get to know their neighbors through quality living area events and programs each semester.
Expand itemTower Hall
Tower Hall offers suite-style living for freshmen students. Each suite in Tower Hall will accommodate 3 students and is fully furnished by the university. Tower Hall is conveniently located on the east side of campus near the College of Nursing and the James Building. Students also enjoy the close proximity to Brisco's Café.
Expand itemTower Hall
Tower Hall offers suite-style living for freshmen students. Each suite in Tower Hall will accommodate 3 students and is fully furnished by the university. Tower Hall is conveniently located on the east side of campus near the College of Nursing and the James Building. Students also enjoy the close proximity to Brisco's Café.
Expand itemMagnolia Crossing
Magnolia Crossing apartments is the newest living area at CBU. The multi-story building offers spacious suite-style housing for transfer and continuing residential students (freshmen are not eligible). The gated apartment complex includes a variety of community and study spaces, laundry rooms, on-site parking and shuttle access to various CBU campus locations. Residents will enjoy spending time with friends in the comfortable lobby area or hanging out in the outdoor community courtyard complete with BBQs.
Expand itemMagnolia Crossing
Magnolia Crossing apartments is the newest living area at CBU. The multi-story building offers spacious suite-style housing for transfer and continuing residential students (freshmen are not eligible). The gated apartment complex includes a variety of community and study spaces, laundry rooms, on-site parking and shuttle access to various CBU campus locations. Residents will enjoy spending time with friends in the comfortable lobby area or hanging out in the outdoor community courtyard complete with BBQs.
Expand itemThe Point
The Point, acquired by CBU in 2014, quickly has become a favorite among the students. This upperclassmen living area is steps from the Recreation Center and Lancer Plaza and has much to offer, including a pool, BBQ and community area. It's available to transfer and continuing residential students (freshmen are not eligible). The Point is made up of 1 and 2 bedroom apartments and is a great option for finding community among peers in your living area.
Expand itemThe Cottages
You'll love living in The Cottages. Each Cottage is designed with a welcoming front porch that serves as a hub for community activity in the living area. Here you can keep that vibrant, active lifestyle of the dorms while adding the comfort of a kitchen and additional bathrooms. If you walk down the sidewalks at night, you'll see many activities taking place on and around the Cottage front porches. Positioned around a large grass courtyard, The Cottages were built with intentional community in mind.
Expand itemThe Village
The quaint surroundings of The Village suites are a favorite for students who want to stay connected to campus while enjoying the benefits of a smaller community. Conveniently located close to classes as well as Brisco's Café, these single-story Village suites are available for freshman students. These fully furnished suites offer a variety of room sizes for 2 to 4 residents. Each building is made up of several suites centered around a small grass courtyard, perfect for relaxing with a book or studying with your neighbors.
Expand itemSmith Hall
If you're a freshman male and are living on campus, look no further than Smith Hall! Not only is the dorm experience a foundation for your life at CBU, you'll love the community. Home to 150 freshmen, Smith Hall is a great place to develop lifelong friendships and begin your time at CBU. Smith Hall is a three-story building with each floor divided into two smaller communities called wings. Each wing consists of approximately 14 double-occupancy rooms and a common bathroom. Each floor has a spacious common area or lounge where residents can study, relax or hang out together. There is also a laundry room and kitchen area located on each floor.
Expand itemFoodology
Foodology is taking a modern approach to farm fresh ingredients. Our food—including our homemade marinades, sauces, dressings and spreads—is prepared simply, with as little processing as possible, to let the flavors stand on their own. We focus on promoting health and wellness without sacrificing taste! It’s fresh, fast, flavorful!
Expand itemEl Monte Grill
Located in Lancer's Plaza, El Monte Grill offers custom made-to-order Mexican fare. From burritos to salads, sopes to tacos, El Monte has all your favorite south-of-the border delights! And don't forget the homemade salsas and guacamole to top off your plate.
Expand itemWanda's
A popular spot for students, faculty, staff and campus visitors, Wanda's Place is a great place to grab a quick bite or a refreshing beverage. Enjoy the great coffee house atmosphere while dining on great tasting food and beverages or dine on our beautiful patio overlooking Stamp's Courtyard. Wanda's offers specialty coffee drinks, smoothies, fresh baked goods, handcrafted sandwiches and salads, Mexican favorites, classic burgers, snacks and daily specials.
Expand itemChick-fil-A
For choosy people in a hurry, Chick-fil-A is the premium fast-food restaurant that passionately serves America's most-loved chicken. Chick-fil-A is on campus near Wanda's, ready for you to grab-and-go a quick meal almost any time (except Sundays).
Expand itemBrisco's Cafe and The Habit
Whether you're on the go or want to hang out with friends, Brisco's is a vibrant location with great food options. Dine indoors with cafe seating and comfortable chairs and couches or on the beautiful patio. The Habit Grill at CBU opened in 2018 and is located within Brisco's Café where students can enjoy chargrilled burgers, fresh salads and grilled sandwiches.
Expand itemAlumni Dining Commons
The Alumni Dining Commons (ADC) is located in the center of campus and is the main residential cafeteria. We transform the typical all-you-care-to-eat culture by artfully composing every plate, reminiscent of your favorite restaurant.