What USU Freshmen Should Know About Male-Only vs Female-Only vs Co-Ed Housing Options

If you are an incoming Utah State University freshman, choosing where (and who) you live with can shape your whole first year. The tricky part is that “male-only,” “female-only,” and “co-ed” do not always mean the same thing everywhere. Some places mean “the whole building,” others mean “the room,” and others mean “the lease rules.”

Here’s how it typically works at USU, what your real options are, and how to choose a setup that fits your comfort level, budget, and daily routine.

Start with the 3 terms (in plain English)

Male-only housing

Usually means you will live in a space designated for male students. Depending on the property, that could mean:

a male-designated room in a co-ed building, or
an all-male building, floor, or unit

At USU, this is part of what the university calls sex-designated housing.

Female-only housing

Same idea, but designated for female students. This can also be a room designation inside a co-ed building, depending on the building layout and rules.

At USU, this is also part of sex-designated housing.

Co-ed housing

This is the term that causes the most confusion.

Co-ed can mean:

Co-ed building: men and women live in the same building, but rooms or suites may be separated by designation.
Co-ed unit/apartment: men and women live in the same apartment (shared common areas).
Gender inclusive housing: roommates can be of any sex or gender, because the residents opted into that setup.

USU has a specific program for this third option (more on that below).

How USU housing designations work (what’s official)

USU states that it offers sex-designated housing and Gender Inclusive housing options. During the application process, students choose between those options.

USU’s housing policies also state that, pursuant to state law, a student may reside in sex-designated student housing only if it corresponds to the student’s sex at birth. The policy also states that Gender Inclusive student housing is available to all students regardless of gender or sex identity.

And USU’s Gender Inclusive Housing page explains the basics clearly:

Students living in Gender Inclusive spaces may live with roommates of any sex or gender.
Students are not placed there unless they choose it.
It’s currently available in Wasatch Hall in the Student Living Center.

The freshman reality check: you might not be eligible for every “co-ed” option

One important detail: USU’s Student Living Center is designed for upperclassmen. USU’s Residence Life information notes residents must be 19 years or older to live in the Student Living Center.

Since USU’s Gender Inclusive Housing is in Wasatch Hall within the Student Living Center, many freshmen (especially those starting at 18) may not be able to choose that specific Gender Inclusive location right away.

So as a freshman, your realistic “co-ed” experiences often come from co-ed buildings where the building community is mixed, even if roommate assignments and room designations follow the university’s rules.

Pros and cons of each option (for USU freshmen)

Male-only or female-only (sex-designated)

Why freshmen like it

Clear expectations around privacy and roommates.
Often feels simpler socially if you are new to college housing.
Can reduce roommate anxiety if you strongly prefer same-sex living.

Tradeoffs

Fewer roommate matches if your friend group is mixed and you were hoping to live together.
If you want a co-ed apartment vibe, you will likely be waiting until you move off campus.

Best for

Students who want predictable boundaries.
Students who know they study better with fewer social variables at home.

Co-ed building (mixed community, not necessarily mixed roommates)

Why freshmen like it

You meet more people fast, which can be great if you are building a new friend group.
Often feels more like “real college life” because the community is broader.

Tradeoffs

Guest policies, quiet hours, and common-area culture matter a lot. One floor can feel very different from another. (Always ask about this.)
“Co-ed” does not guarantee you can pick any roommate arrangement you want.

Best for

Students who want community and don’t mind a busier environment.

Gender Inclusive Housing (co-ed roommates by choice)

USU describes Gender Inclusive Housing as an option for students who want to select roommates beyond gender constrictions and confirms students will not be assigned to it unless they elect it.

Why some students want it

More flexibility in roommate compatibility.
Helpful for students who do not want sex or gender to be the main factor in roommate matching.

Tradeoffs

It may be limited by location and eligibility (like the 19+ Student Living Center age requirement).
You should plan ahead and ask Housing directly about availability and timelines.

Questions to ask before you sign anything

Whether you’re choosing on-campus or off-campus, these are the questions that prevent most freshman housing regrets:

Is the designation by room, unit, floor, or building? (“Co-ed” is not specific enough.)
How are roommates assigned if I don’t choose one?
What is the guest policy and overnight guest limit?
How does room change work if it’s not a fit?
What costs are truly “all-in”? Utilities, parking, fees, and deposits add up fast.

Off-campus note: “male-only” and “female-only” can be landlord rules, not school rules

Once you go off campus, gender setup is often determined by the property’s leasing model, who is already in the unit, and how they fill beds.

If you are using a housing marketplace (like Find My Place), filter by what you actually need:

distance to campus or shuttle routes
private room vs shared room
lease length and start date
total monthly cost estimate (rent + utilities + fees)

How to choose the best fit (fast decision guide)

If you want the simplest first year: pick sex-designated housing and focus on finding a roommate with similar sleep and study habits.

If you want community and social options: pick a co-ed building where the culture fits you, and get clear on quiet hours and guests.

If you specifically want roommate flexibility beyond sex designation: ask Housing about Gender Inclusive Housing availability and whether you meet the age and location requirements for that option.

One last thing: plan early, because the best options go first

Freshman housing stress usually comes from waiting too long, not from picking the “wrong” category. Start touring (or doing virtual tours), shortlist 3–5 options, and compare them side by side.

And if you want help narrowing it down quickly, Find My Place is built for exactly this kind of decision: less guessing, more clarity, and listings that match how USU students actually live.

If you want, tell me whether your priority is price, walking distance, or private bedroom, and I’ll suggest a content outline for a companion post like “USU Freshmen Housing Checklist (with a printable).”