Housing Options

To find the housing that is best suited for you, start searching early. If you do not arrange housing before you arrive in Iowa, we recommend that you arrive early enough to find a place before orientation and classes begin. The Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) cannot help students find housing.

Temporary housing information
Temporary housing is available for students who arrive in Iowa before arranging for permanent housing.

Temporary Housing

On-campus options
The University offers 10 residence halls and two University-run apartment complexes.

• Residence halls—International students who choose to live in the residence halls have superior opportunities to improve their English, make friends, and learn about American society and culture.

  Residence Hall Information for International Students

• University Apartments—The University has nearly 700 rental apartments for single students and those with families. At least one member of the household must be a registered UI student to be eligible to live at University Apartments. Students with dependent children are given priority if their applications are received by the appropriate priority deadline. After the deadline, assignments are made on a first-come, first-served basis.

  University Apartments

Off-campus options
The University estimates the average cost of living off campus to be $8,000 per year, per student. The actual cost will vary depending on the type of housing you choose, its distance from campus, and your style of living.

Off-Campus Housing Information for International Students