Rochester Institute of Technology - Off-Campus Housing

Quick Stats

College Prowler Take

RIT has a booming student population with higher freshman enrollment each year. This has been one of the greatest sources of pride for the administration in recent years, but has also been a burden for many students due to a housing strain. RIT guarantees housing for freshman year, and it’s also guaranteed sophomore year if students fill in their requests early enough. RIT has 13 residence halls as well as five apartment complexes that are all considered on-campus housing. The RIT Inn and Conference Center also provide student housing if needed. Due to the limited number of spaces available, many students choose to look for off-campus housing instead. There are a number of apartment complexes around the RIT campus that are designed specifically for college students. Most local complexes have RTS bus access that take students directly to the RIT campus. Therefore, having a car is not a necessity in order to live
off campus. Another option is to rent a house near campus or in the city itself. While rent is generally cheaper in the city, it is not always entirely safe. Make sure you are aware of where your apartment is before you
sign the lease.

Overall, the student debate about on campus versus off-campus housing seems pretty evenly matched. On-campus living is convenient because, well, it’s on campus, and if you are in the on-campus apartments, you are no longer required to be on a meal plan. Living off campus relieves you of RIT’s dry campus policy and also allots students a bit more freedom regarding lifestyle. Living off campus can be cheaper, but it depends on where you are living. On-campus housing is charged directly to your student account, which relieves you of monthly payment schedules and responsibilities. This, of course, isn’t the case when students live off campus, because along with off-campus living comes many more responsibilities. Overall, there are many things to consider when choosing where to live. In the end, as is the case with many things in life, it all comes down to what you can afford.

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Students Speak Out

Anonymous says:

The biggest hassle about... The biggest hassle about off-campus housing is getting the commuter parking pass and figuring out where you can park on campus. It’s easier to pay and get the short-term parking pass so you can park in U lot when you get to campus. This way, you’ll have a spot close enough that you aren’t walking a mile to get to class. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Off-campus housing is really easy... Off-campus housing is really easy to find, and you get more space for less money. You have to pay for utilities and stuff, but it still works out to be cheaper than the dorms because you don’t have to have a meal plan. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

I think a lot of it depends on... I think a lot of it depends on where you live off campus.I wouldn’t want to live in the city, because of the crime rate, but if you find a place in the suburbs, it’s usually pretty good. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Some friends and I opted to rent a... Some friends and I opted to rent a house just off campus—it was perfect. We are within walking distance of campus, and we have four bedrooms, a living room, and two bathrooms. Also, by splitting rent, we don’t pay any more than we would have on campus. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

Anonymous says:

Off-campus housing was my only... Off-campus housing was my only choice after sophomore year since RIT doesn’t guarantee housing after that, and I hadn’t found an apartment on campus. I am actually quite happy with my living arrangement right now, though. The complex is nice, my neighbors are quiet, and I have the freedom that the off-campus lifestyle provides. 12345 Off-Campus Housing Report

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