Cost of living and affordability is a concern for most international students. This spring, the IDP Emerging Futures 3 student survey connected with over 21,000 future and current international students from 108 countries to gauge their feelings around studying abroad. Among other findings, the survey noted that 39% of students weren’t confident in their financial ability to study abroad. Access to attainable international student housing is a big piece of that puzzle.
Considering the aggressive housing markets in most popular study destination countries, finding affordable and safe student housing is a growing challenge for international students. That’s why we’re shining a spotlight on American universities that offer guaranteed international student housing. Read on to learn which institutions offer this benefit, and why on-campus housing can be a great idea for students just arriving in a new country.
The United States is a massive country, with diverse communities, weather patterns, and attractions. Use our guide to find out where you should study in the US.
Who is Eligible for Campus Student Housing?
The short answer? It depends.
Some colleges and universities guarantee:
- On-campus student housing spots to all international students
- On-campus student housing to first-year students, no matter if they’re from the United States or other countries around the world.
On the other hand, some colleges and universities offer housing on a first-come, first-served basis (so, apply quickly). Other campuses don’t offer on-campus housing at all. When considering where to study, it’s worth looking into what your housing options are, and how you’d like to live during your time as an international student.
Tip: Mark housing registration deadlines on your calendar, and submit your application on time. Sometimes, even when housing is guaranteed, if you miss the housing application deadline, the college or university will think you’ve found housing elsewhere and give your spot to another student.
Check out these government scholarships open to international students in the US—they can help you balance your student budget!
Which American Institutions Offer International Student Housing?
Below, we’ll look at some of our partner institutions that offer on-campus international student housing. These are just a few of the options out there, so carefully check the housing pages on your target institutions’ websites to find out if they offer accommodations, too!
Johns Hopkins University
This prestigious university actually requires all undergraduate students to live in the Homewood campus for the first two years of their program. Johns Hopkins University has six different housing locations, ranging from suites to single rooms. Living on-campus can help you build your new community, get to classes easily, and get to know Baltimore beyond the JHU campus, as well.
In students’ third and fourth years, the JHU Office of Off-Campus Housing shares resources for finding off-campus housing. The university notes that most third- and fourth-year students find housing within a three-block radius of the university, so you likely won’t have to travel far.
Arizona State University
The University Housing department at Arizona State University guarantees a housing space for each first-year undergraduate student. Happily, that means if you’re a future ASU Sun Devil, you’ll get different housing options presented to you based on which campus and major (program) you’ve selected. We recommend acting fast to make sure you get your top living and dining picks!
Also, all first-year ASU students must purchase a meal plan, so make room for it in your budget. It can feel expensive up-front, but will be helpful during busy exam times to have cooking taken care of.
University of New Mexico
Freshman residency is required for first-year students at the University of New Mexico. UNM has done multiple studies that found living on-campus in your first year can boost your odds of academic success. Plus, students living on-campus are more likely to finish their program faster.
So, unless you have an exception, a space will be saved for you at one of the nine main campus UNM Residence Halls. (A common exception is you’ll be attending UNM with your spouse or children. If this is the case, you’ll need to submit a Freshman Residency Requirement Exception to get matched with different housing. There are other residence halls which are better-suited to couples and families.)
University of California – Irvine
If you’re California dreaming for your undergraduate degree, University of California – Irvine guarantees that first-year students enrolling for the fall semester are eligible for two years of campus housing. Their housing deadline (at least in 2023) was in early May, so make sure to meet it! To be eligible for campus housing in the second year of your degree, you must live on campus for your entire first year.
Looking for a unique living experience? Some UCI housing communities are themed. What does that mean? Essentially, you can choose to live with and near peers that share your identity or interests. Some themes tie into careers and passions, from gaming to performing arts, or outdoor adventure to global sustainability. Other houses celebrate and unite members of different communities. Perhaps you’ll join Spectrum House as part of the LGBT community. Or, become part of La Casa Nuestra, where students boost their Spanish-speaking skills while celebrating Hispanic culture.
Have you found your space? Here are our top tips to help your dorm feel like home.
Finding a place that feels like home is a big part of being an international student. We hope these options have inspired you to look at what international student housing choices are at your target colleges or universities.
Planning to study in the US? Look for programs that match your academic goals on the ApplyBoard Platform.
