Choosing where you want to live for your first year of college is a big decision. There are many housing options to choose from, but all of them are going to cost a lot more than living at mom and dad's.

For freshmen, living on campus is often recommended, and sometimes even required. You may not always get to choose your roommate, but you do usually get to choose your living style.

Dorms are the most traditional form of housing in college. Many dorms have themes, such as substance-free students, international students or upperclassmen. Each theme has its own rules and activities, and each building has resident advisors to help out with whatever you need.

Double and triple rooms are great for freshmen who want to meet new people and experience dorm life. Each roommate usually has his or her own furniture, and space to decorate. Communal bathrooms are common in most dorms, but select halls do offer private bathrooms.

Living by yourself in a one- or two-person room might sound nice, but it's often much more expensive and may not even be an option.

The average cost per year for dorms is $7,400 for public schools and $8,500 for private schools. Room and board usually includes all utilities, and many colleges include meal plans for students living in dorms.

Every school has different requirements for the first year, but public colleges are more likely to let you live off campus, while private colleges tend to be a little more strict.

Greek houses are off campus, and while prices vary greatly for different houses on different campuses, you'll likely find the price between $3,000 and $8,000 or more per year.

Each sorority or fraternity usually has a house mom or dad that is the "head of the household" and serves as property manager. Bedrooms are usually shared, so having a private room is a rare luxury.

To join a Greek house, you need to attend Rush--the meet and greet for all the houses. If you are considering living in a Greek house, find out about living policies and fees, what activities they participate in, what chores are required, and what common interests you may share with the current members. You want to make sure the house is a fit for you, and that you are a fit for the house, before you sign up.

In the U.S. and Canada, there are roughly 10,000 students living in co-ops. Students who choose co-ops are responsible for doing their own housework and maintenance in accordance with each house's schedule and rules.

Co-ops can vary widely in price, but you can probably expect a yearly cost somewhere between $2,000 and $5,000. All utilities are included with the dues, and meals are usually prepared by a house cook. Although similar to Greek housing, co-ops tend to cost less. And like dorms, some have themes or common interests. To find the right co-op for you at the school you plan to attend, check out the university's housing website and tour the houses.

Depending on the location, type of housing, and number of rooms, off-campus living costs vary significantly. There are many housing options available off campus, such as houses, duplexes, townhouses and apartments. Some colleges own complexes near campus that allow you to experience apartment life while still being close to your classes.

As a general rule, rent should be no more than 35% of your income, so it's important to take that into consideration if you are deciding whether to live alone or with roommates. If you find the right place and stick to a budget, living off campus can be cheaper than living on campus.

Sources: collegedata.com; educationusa.state.gov; wsu.edu; usnews.com; usatoday.com; nytimes.com; collegeboard.com; chicagotribune.com; collegetownlife.com; studentnow.com; census.gov