Fraternities With Houses Vs. Those Without
 

A young man I know will be attending college at a southern university with a large Greek community. He would like to join a fraternity but the cost of joining seems prohibitive.

He feels that he has two options if he wants to join a fraternityL !) Concentrate on getting a bid from the few fraternities on campus that do not have houses. He feels that the housing fees is what makes the cost of joining a fraternity so expensive. 2) His other option would be to not enroll this year but a take a gap year to earn money to fulfill his financial obligations to a fraternity.

Any advice or guidance would be appreciated. Thanking everyone in advance

This difference in fees is something he knows how? It seems to me that a group without housing is paying rental fees for places to have events and that will raise their dues. I don't think we have enough info to give an opinion. At least I don't!

The IFC web site lists the initiation fee, annual dues, house and meal fees

House costs
 

At my alma mater, Carnegie-Mellon (at least back in the late 1980s), the houses for the sororities and 12 of the 13 fraternities were all owned by the University. Housing costs were paid to the University just as they were for the students in the Dormitories. I'm not sure if food through the house was available, but it wouldn't surprise me if most were on the standard meal plan.

As a long time recruitment and financial adviser, I can assure you those numbers are manipulated. he needs to have a chat with the Greek Life office at the school and ask LOTS of questions.