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Top 8 Schools for Off-Campus Living

Some of the most esteemed colleges in the nation also offer the best off-campus student housing. Whether freshmen at each school are required to live in dorms or not, it’s never a bad idea to keep your prospects open no matter what year of school you’re in. 

Although many students choose to live on campus throughout their college careers, plenty of others prefer more independent living in rentals with everything from trendy open-concept floor plans and state-of-the-art appliances to study areas and special student activities.

Colleges with the Best Off-Campus Student Housing

If you’re considering living off-campus, start your research by checking out a handful of colleges around the U.S. with the best off-campus student housing.

1.Auburn University

At Auburn University, dorms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. There aren’t enough dorms for everyone, so Auburn provides outstanding assistance to students looking for roommates and apartments via its off-campus housing guide. 

The guide provides useful information on renter laws, apartment searching, roommate agreements, and more. Top picks include The Standard at Auburn, 319 Bragg Apartments, and Samford Square, among others.

  • University of Wisconsin–Madison

Madison is loaded with beautiful apartments and houses for rent throughout the area that surrounds this campus. The university provides assistance for students who choose not to live in dorms through its area housing web page. Students also have the option of living in private halls that have luxurious amenities and huge rooms.

Some options at UW–Madison include Park House Apartments, Sofia, Peloton, Wingra Point, and Seven27 at the Yards.

2.Clemson University 

This leading public research university in South Carolina stakes its claim as having some of the nicest off-campus student housing in the nation. The school assists students through its off-campus services resource guide, which offers tips on preparing for moving in, safety, finding housing, and more.

Some of the standout Clemson off-campus student housing includes EPOCH Clemson, Tiger Towne, and Grandmarc Clemson.

3.Brigham Young University

This university in Provo, Utah, has newly updated guidelines for on-campus and off-campus housing. With a vibrant selection of contracted apartments, houses, and even the ability to live with qualified family members, the university caters to students with a wide variety of living arrangements.

Some of the off-campus housing that appeals to BYU students includes The Colony Apartments, King Henry Apartments, and The Atrium, among many others. 

4.University of Alabama

UA has a healthy, vibrant, student-centric off-campus housing scene that centers around its hub, which is the University of Alabama web portal. The portal features a variety of available apartments, rooms for rent, subleasing postings, and more. 

Some UA off-campus housing communities are Lofts at City Center, Canterbury Apartment Homes, and Riverfront Village.

5.Virginia Tech

The Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University maintains an off-campus housing website that provides updated information on townhouses, apartments, and a castle, too! There is also an annual off-campus housing fair so students can have the opportunity to talk to off-campus housing managers and owners.

Some popular off-campus choices for Virginia Tech students are Union Blacksburg Apartments, Park37, and Fourteen35.

6.University of Florida

This public university also maintains a website to assist students in their off-campus housing searches. The off-campus housing scene here is lively and often a good deal for students, from apartments to townhomes and houses for rent.

Some of the top choices for housing include The Courtyards, Towne Parc Apartments, and Arlington Square.

7.California State University, Chico

The Off-Campus Student Services Office at Chico State is committed to guiding students through finding housing off-campus that suits their needs and budgets. The office is unique because not many universities dedicate an entire office to this type of service.

Some of the standout off-campus housing options for Chico State are The Edge, Redwood Cove Apartments, Menlo Pointe, and The Villas.

Choosing the Best Off-Campus Housing for You

No matter what university you attend or will attend, make sure that the off-campus housing you choose fits your budget, is safe, and is conveniently located. It should also afford essential amenities and provide an easy commute to your university classes. You deserve to live in quality off-campus student housing that will help you grow through your college years.