Columbia University (CU) Off-Campus Housings

About Columbia University   

Columbia University is located in New York. The overall acceptance rate for international students at Columbia University is around 3.9%.

Let us answer your curiosity related to securing university dorms:

1. Does Columbia University provide on-campus student rooms? Yes.

2. What is the best month to secure a Columbia University student dorm? March–April.

3. What is Columbia University dorm allotment priority based on? Freshmen; first come, first served; students with disabilities; and returning students. 

4. Can a student make an advance booking without a university offer letter? No. 

5. Columbia University student dorms are estimated to average $7,700 per semester. Which generally includes electricity, water, gas, Wi-Fi, maintenance, security, and shared building amenities.

6. Expect additional costs compared to Columbia University Minneapolis on-campus rent, apart from the services, such as:

   • Meals plans (if unavailable, call 211 to find Food banks nearby for free or lowest-priced groceries.)

   • Refundable damage deposit.

   • Bicycle parking / discounted Bus pass to campus.

   • Laundry services.

Columbia University Off-Campus Student Housing Options  

There are two types of off-campus housing options available; they are a bit expensive as compared to university dorms but offer additional benefits such as flexible contract length, flexible move-in dates, independent social life, and modern amenities:

1. Type 1: Purpose-built off-campus student housing: Avg. prices $450/month.

• Maintained and handled by some private, leading student housing providers.

• Only students can apply for off-campus housing.

• Early-bird (advance) student room bookings without a university offer letter are applicable in many housing units with a few T&Cs applied; read carefully before booking.

• Generally, flexible tenancies have 3, 6, or 12 month-based bookings.

• Popular Columbia University off-campus housing include Flatbush, Upper West Side, Manhattan Central Park Home 2, and Morningside Park Home. 

2. Type 2: Private student houses/apartments: Avg. prices $550/month.

• Maintained and handled by individual landlords.

• Students with families can book a room. Number of occupants: T&C applied.

• Advance student room bookings without a university offer letter are applicable in many housing units with a few T&Cs applied. Read carefully before booking.

• Generally, flexible tenancy has weekly, monthly, and semester-based bookings.

• Recommended Columbia University apartments include Amazing Private bedroom Rental | Coliving, Admirable double bedroom in Williamsburg, Bright double bedroom in Bushwick, and Inviting studio in Kips Bay.

However, we suggest checking cancellation and refund policies before booking a room or speaking with our multilingual student housing experts. 

Popular Student Areas to Live Near Columbia University

1. Morningside Heights has an average rent of $200–$352 per week, i.e., $1,800–$2,500 monthly. Recommended Columbia University student housing include New York - 12 W 44th St, New York - 144 E 40th St, Hell's Kitchen - 650 Ninth Avenue, and  Morningside Park Home

Distance from campus by using different methods of transportation:

• Cycling - 5-10 minutes

• Bus - 10-15 minutes

• Car - 5-10 minutes

• Walking - 10-20 minutes
  
  

2. Upper Westside has an average of $190–$300 per week, i.e., an average of $750–$1,000 per month. Recommended Columbia University housing include West 66th Street Apartments. 

Distance from campus by using different methods of transportation: 

• Cycling - 10-20 minutes

• Bus - 10-15 minutes

• Car- 10-15 minutes

• Walking - 40-50 minutes 

Benefits of Booking Columbia University Off-Campus Student Housing Over On-Campus Dorms

1. Early bird offer (off-campus student rooms generally offer discounts or early booking offers.)

2. There are more student room types to choose from, unlike university dorms.

3. No offer, no visa, no problem! Easy cancellation process. T&C applied.

4. Avoid expensive last-minute off-campus student room bookings.

5. Stay with your friend or partner despite being enrolled in different universities in the city.

6. More privacy because on-campus housing usually has shared facilities and common areas.

7. Off-campus and private schools generally have modern facilities like gyms, cinemas, and game rooms.