Choosing the Best ASU Residence Hall: A Comprehensive 2026 Guide

Finding the best ASU residence hall depends primarily on your academic major and preferred campus, as Arizona State University utilizes a residential college model. While "Best Hall" refers to a specific mid-century modern dormitory in the Tempe Arcadia community, most students search for the highest-quality housing options like Tooker House for engineering or Barrett for honors students.

Understanding the ASU Residential College Model

In 2026, Arizona State University continues to enforce its successful "Residential College" model. This system is designed to place students with peers who are in the same academic program. If you are a business student, you will likely live in the Hassayampa Academic Village; if you are an engineering student, your home will be Tooker House. This approach ensures that your neighbors are your classmates, making it easier to form study groups and find support within your discipline.

Before searching for the "best" hall, you must identify which campus your major is based on. ASU has four primary campuses in the Phoenix metropolitan area: Tempe, Downtown Phoenix, West Valley, and Polytechnic. Most undergraduate programs are centralized in Tempe, but high-demand fields like Nursing and Journalism are located Downtown.

When students search for the "best" hall, they are often navigating a dual meaning: the specific Best Hall located on the Tempe campus and the general qualitative ranking of all available dormitories. This guide addresses both, providing a deep dive into the specific Best Hall facility and a comparison of the top-rated residential colleges across the university system.

The Specifics of Best Hall (Arcadia Residential Community)

Best Hall is one of the most recognizable buildings in the Arcadia Residential Community on the Tempe campus. Originally constructed in 1962 and having undergone significant renovations to modernize its interiors while preserving its mid-century aesthetic, Best Hall serves as a primary hub for students in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences.

Architecture and Room Layout

Best Hall is unique because of its exterior-entry style, which feels more like an apartment complex than a traditional high-rise dorm. The rooms are typically arranged in a suite-style configuration. In a standard suite, two rooms share a bathroom located between them. This is a significant upgrade over the traditional "community bath" style found in older university housing.

The rooms in Best Hall are equipped with height-adjustable extra-long twin beds, desks, and dressers. Because the building was designed in the 1960s, the rooms often feel slightly more spacious than the hyper-efficient footprints of newer builds. The large windows allow for significant natural light, which is a highly valued feature for students spending long hours studying.

Location and Amenities

Best Hall is situated on the north side of the Tempe campus. For students in 2026, this remains a premier location for several reasons:

• Proximity to the Sun Devil Fitness Complex (SDFC): It is a short walk to the main gym, pools, and intramural fields.
• Access to the Palo Verde Dining Pavilion: This is one of the largest dining halls on campus, offering a variety of dietary options including vegan and gluten-free stations.
• Nearness to "A" Mountain: For those who enjoy hiking or the iconic ASU tradition of whitewashing the "A," Best Hall is perfectly positioned.

Tooker House: The Gold Standard for Engineering

If you are an engineering student, Tooker House is widely considered the "best" hall in terms of modern technology and amenities. Opened in 2017, it was designed specifically for the needs of Fulton Schools of Engineering students.

The "Makerspace" Culture

Tooker House features a 1,600-square-foot makerspace equipped with 3D printers, laser cutters, and soldering stations. This allows engineering students to work on capstone projects and prototypes without leaving their residence. In 2026, this facility remains a major recruitment tool for the university.

Smart Building Features

Every room in Tooker House is designed with high-speed fiber-optic internet and ample power outlets. The building itself is a "smart" facility; it features a bridge with advanced structural monitoring sensors that students can use for data analysis projects. The dining hall within Tooker House is also renowned for its specialized menu items tailored to busy student schedules.

Barrett, The Honors College: The "Resort" Experience

For students accepted into Barrett, The Honors College, the residential experience is often described as a "university within a university." The Barrett complex is located on the southern edge of the Tempe campus and is frequently cited as the most luxurious housing option at ASU.

The Refectory and Private Dining

Barrett residents have access to The Refectory, a dining hall modeled after those at Ivy League institutions. It features high ceilings, long wooden tables, and a more upscale menu than standard residential dining halls. The Barrett complex also includes a sustainable garden where students can learn about urban agriculture.

Academic Integration

The "best" part of Barrett housing isn't just the rooms—which range from shared suites to private apartments for upperclassmen—but the proximity to honors faculty. Many Barrett classrooms are located within the residence complex, meaning students can go from their beds to their seminars in under five minutes.

Comparing Top ASU Residence Halls

The following table provides a comparison of the top-rated halls as of the 2026 academic year to help you determine which fits your lifestyle and budget.

Gordon Commons: Excellence in Downtown Phoenix

For students at the Downtown Phoenix campus, Gordon Commons (formerly known as Taylor Place) is the primary hub. In 2026, it remains the standard for urban campus living. Unlike the sprawling Tempe dorms, Gordon Commons is a high-rise structure that mirrors the professional environment of the surrounding city.

The "best" aspect of Gordon Commons is its integration with the city. Students are steps away from the Phoenix Biomedical Campus, the Arizona Republic building, and various legal institutions. The security is top-tier, featuring 24/7 guarded entries and card-swipe access for every floor, which is a critical consideration for living in a major metropolitan center.

Essential Considerations for ASU Housing in 2026

When deciding which hall is "best" for you, there are several technical and financial factors to consider beyond just the furniture and location.

1. Housing Costs and Tiers

ASU categorizes its housing into price tiers. Newer halls like Tooker House and the Barrett complex sit at the highest price point, often exceeding $10,000 per academic year for a shared room. Best Hall and other older but renovated facilities in the Arcadia or Palo Verde clusters typically offer a more mid-range price point, making them an excellent value for students who want a balance of location and affordability.

2. The Meal Plan Requirement

All first-year students living on campus are required to purchase a meal plan. The "best" hall might be the one closest to your favorite dining pavilion. For example, if you prefer the variety at the Memorial Union (MU), living in a central hall like San Pablo or Hassayampa is advantageous.

3. Move-In Logistics and Summer Storage

ASU’s Tempe campus is famously hot during August move-in. The "best" halls are those with efficient elevator banks (like Manzanita) or ground-floor exterior access (like Best Hall). By 2026, ASU has streamlined the move-in process with staggered time slots, but choosing a hall with easy loading zone access remains a major practical benefit.

Common Myths About ASU Residence Halls

Myth: "The older halls don't have good Wi-Fi." Actually, ASU has invested heavily in campus-wide infrastructure. As of 2026, even the oldest buildings like Irish or Best Hall have been retrofitted with high-speed wireless access points that support multiple devices per student.

Myth: "You can live in any hall you want." While you can request a "major exception" to live outside your residential college, it is rarely granted for freshmen. ASU's data shows that students who live with their academic peers have higher GPA retention rates, so they strictly enforce the residential college model.

Myth: "Best Hall is named because it's the best." While subjective, "Best Hall" is actually named after a person (a common practice for university buildings). However, its reputation for being a solid, well-located, and social dorm often leads students to agree with the name.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the newest residence hall at ASU?

As of 2026, the newest major residential developments have been focused on the West Valley and Polytechnic campuses to accommodate growing enrollment in those areas. On the Tempe campus, Tooker House and the newer wings of Barrett remain the most modern facilities.

Can I choose my roommate if we are in different majors?

Yes, but you will generally be required to live in the residential college of one of the two roommates. This usually requires a special request during the housing application process on the ASU Housing Portal. It is easier to live together if both majors are within the same broader college (e.g., Biology and Chemistry are both in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences).

Are the dorms at ASU co-ed?

Yes, most ASU residence halls are co-ed, but the rooms themselves are gender-specific. Most halls are "co-ed by wing" or "co-ed by room," meaning you might have neighbors of a different gender, but your suitemates and roommates will be of the same gender unless you specifically opt into Gender-Inclusive Housing (GIH).

Is Best Hall noisy?

Best Hall is located near the Sun Devil Fitness Complex and several other dorms, so it has a vibrant, social atmosphere. While it isn't as famously "loud" as Hassayampa, it is certainly more active than the quieter environment of the Polytechnic campus dorms.

Which hall has the best view?

Manzanita Hall is widely considered to have the best views on the Tempe campus. Because it is a high-rise located near the stadium and "A" Mountain, students on higher floors can see the entire Phoenix skyline and the surrounding desert mountains.

Practical Recommendations for Incoming Students

If you are a freshman entering ASU in 2026, your "best" hall will likely be the one assigned to your major. To make the most of your housing experience, follow these steps:

1. Apply Early: Housing is assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you pay your enrollment deposit and submit your housing preferences, the more likely you are to get your preferred room type within your residential college.
2. Evaluate Your Daily Routine: If you are someone who hits the gym every morning at 6:00 AM, Best Hall or the Palo Verde halls are superior due to their proximity to the SDFC.
3. Check the Floor Plans: Visit the ASU Virtual Tour to see 360-degree views of the rooms. Some students prefer the "pod" style of newer buildings, while others prefer the traditional suite style of Best Hall.
4. Consider the Summer: If you plan on staying for summer sessions, check which halls remain open. Often, ASU consolidates summer housing into a few specific buildings like Tooker or Barrett.

Choosing a residence hall is the first major step in your Sun Devil journey. Whether you end up in the high-tech corridors of Tooker House or the classic, centrally-located Best Hall, the residential college model ensures you are positioned for both social and academic success.