12 Student Housing Options and Average Costs

9. Graduate Student Apartments / University Graduate Housing

Universities sometimes offer graduate-specific housing that addresses different needs than undergraduate residences: quieter buildings, family units, and longer leases. Research from Maryland shows graduate units like Graduate Hills charging $1,700+ for two-bedroom units, with programs sometimes offering an 18% graduate discount. Graduate housing often aims to align with stipend calendars and family needs but may still leave gaps between stipend levels and market rents. Grad students should assess whether housing costs align with stipend rules and whether on-campus childcare or family support is available. Lease terms often differ from undergraduate contracts and can be annual rather than academic-term only. Tips: apply early for graduate housing, investigate campus fellowships or emergency funds that cover temporary shortfalls, and discuss housing policies with departmental administrators. If university housing is limited or unaffordable, look for departmental housing lists, union housing resources, or negotiated rates for grad students in nearby complexes. Use the 30%-of-income guideline as a budgeting benchmark but verify local living costs and stipend increases where available.