Congratulations on your acceptance to the University of Maryland! Now that you’re officially a Terp, it’s time to decide where you are going to live for your freshman year.
Finding housing at UMD can be challenging and overwhelming as a first year student who is not familiar with the College Park housing market.
At Rambler College Park, we have helped countless students find their ideal home for the school year and understand how daunting the search process can be. This guide will take you through all of the steps including what housing is available, whether you should live off-campus or on-campus and other essential considerations. Our most-asked questions consist of:
- What housing is available near UMD?
- When should I start looking for housing?
- How much does it cost to live near UMD?
- How do I find roommates?
- What are my next steps?
Read Next: Where to Live Near UMD: The Most Popular Neighborhoods in College Park for Student Living
What housing is available near UMD?
There are a variety of student housing options available, including on-campus residence halls, on-campus apartments and off-campus apartments. At UMD, freshmen are not required to live on-campus, but it is common for the underclassmen to live in the on-campus dorms. However, many freshmen choose to live off-campus in student housing apartment communities.
On-Campus Dorms vs. Off-Campus Housing
There are typically three housing options to consider for your freshman year: on-campus dorms, on-campus apartments and off-campus apartments.
On-campus dorms are the most common option for freshmen at UMD. These dorms are owned by the University of Maryland and offer a few options in terms of layouts. There are double rooms with a communal bathroom (most popular), a double room with a private bathroom, a triple room or a single. There is limited availability for the dorms that have a connected bathroom as well as singles, so be sure to hop on this early if this is something that appeals to you. There is no kitchen in these units, they only provide a microwave, so utilizing a meal plan will be essential.
These residence halls are generally located on North Campus, since that is where most underclassmen classes are located.
On-campus apartments are designed in a similar manner to residence halls but offer a suite style with a kitchen and in-unit washer and dryer. These apartments are located closer to South Campus near other off-campus student apartment communities. The most popular one is South Campus Commons.
Lastly, there are numerous student apartments available near UMD. This appeals to students who want a larger living space in terms of a kitchen and living room. Most students who live off-campus choose to live in one of these three neighborhoods:
- South Campus, located just south of the UMD campus, is the most popular neighborhood for upperclassmen living off-campus. The area has a strong student community and is surrounded by several apartment complexes, making it easy to live near other students. Most commutes from South Campus are short, typically a 5–15 minute walk to campus depending on your building and where your classes are located.
- North Campus, located north of the UMD campus, is popular among both underclassmen and upperclassmen who have classes on that side of campus. Apartments in this area typically have 10–20 minute walking commutes to campus. Many students also use bikes, scooters, or campus buses to make the trip even faster.
- Old Town, located near downtown College Park, is a neighborhood with residential houses where many seniors—especially those involved in Greek life—choose to live. This area is often more affordable, but homes typically come with more roommates and older living conditions. Commutes from Old Town are usually around 30 minutes walking, depending on the exact house location. Many students use bikes, cars, or the campus bus to shorten the commute.
One of the main differences between off-campus and on-campus housing is the need for a meal plan. On-campus dorms provide a meal plan and are located in surrounding areas making it convenient for students. Off-campus housing has kitchens, so residents tend to grocery shop and cook their own meals.
Another difference is the length of the leasing term. For dorms, they adhere to the academic calendar, running from August to May. Student apartments are often 12 month leases, ending in July. This is beneficial for international or out-of-state students who do not visit home as frequently or have a job or internship lined up in a nearby area over the summer. Dorms close when the University closes for break, so you’ll be required to vacate during Thanksgiving break, Winter Break, Spring break and the summer.
The last difference is in the amenities offered with each housing option. On-campus dorms highlight their community amenity offerings such as Eppley Fitness Center. For on-campus apartments, they typically include a laundry room, study areas, a kitchen and other communal space to socialize with other students.
For off-campus student apartments, amenities vary based on property. Many include a fitness center, laundry, study areas and a pool. Some older housing properties have more basic offerings whereas the newer ones include luxury features like a yoga room, coffee shop and game rooms.
Which is Right for Me?
To decide which housing option is best for you, you should weigh the pros and cons of each option and how they fit into your overall lifestyle. You should consider an apartment if you want to cook your own meals or want your own bedroom or bathroom. If you prefer to have a meal plan and want to share a space with a roommate, then maybe on-campus housing better suits your needs.
You should also factor in location and where you think you’ll be spending your time. For instance, if you have a heavy course load and want to be involved with student organizations on campus, then you will likely opt for a dorm-style living arrangement. However, if you’re looking to join Greek life or another social group, you’ll probably spend more time on South Campus, making an off-campus apartment better suited for you.
Lastly, consider the community you will be surrounded by. On-campus housing options house mostly freshmen, so you’ll be in a close-knit community of people in your classes or your age. The properties generally host resident events for freshmen to meet each other. At an apartment complex, there is likely to be a larger variety of upperclassmen and underclassmen.
When should I start looking for housing?
If you have committed to attending the University of Maryland, you should start your housing search as soon as possible! With the number of students growing each year, the housing process is quite competitive.
If you’re interested in living in an apartment, contact leasing offices now, especially since you are competing with the upperclassmen that renew their leases during the fall. If you’re looking at an on-campus apartment, you should consider signing in January or February to be ahead of the rush.
If you’re looking at an on-campus dorm, you can submit your housing application by May 1st to guarantee your spot, but this can also be done earlier as housing assignments are processed in order of submission, so the earlier the better.
Read Next: What’s the Cost of Living Near UMD in College Park?
How much does it cost to live near UMD?
On-Campus Dorms and Apartments
Residence halls are in the medium range of the student housing pricing range. Upon publication in April 2026, the range falls between $9,000 to $10,755 per academic year not including a meal plan. The meal plan can add around $6000 to the total cost. On-campus apartment living can range from $800-$1000+ per month. All pricing is subject to change.
Although this is a wide range, narrowing down which property is right for you can help to determine a more accurate cost depending on floor plan type.
Off-Campus Apartments
Your monthly rental rate can vary based on a number of factors. Floor plan, location, amenities and unit features are a few considerations. Rental rates can range from around $1000 to $2,000+ per person, per month. The best way to determine accurate pricing is through contacting the properties leasing staff or booking a tour.
When thinking about your budget, it is important to remember that dorms are on a nine-month lease and apartments are generally 12-month time frames. Apartments also will not include meals within their pricing.
Read Next: What is typically included in off-campus apartment rent at UMD?
How do I find roommates as a freshman at the University of Maryland?
Your roommate determines a big part of your freshman year experience, especially if you’re living in a dorm. The space you share with roommates is dictated by the type of housing you opt for and the floor plan.
For example, most dorms have two beds where you share a room with your direct roommate. You will likely have a communal bathroom by gender, or single stall unisex bathrooms.
Most student apartments are set up where you have your own room and sometimes bathroom, and you share the living room and kitchen with your roommates. Apartments generally offer single bedroom leases from one to five bedroom layouts. This means you will have your own room but share these communal spaces with as many as four other roommates.
Some apartments offer double occupancy, meaning you live in an apartment but share your bedroom with another roommate. This is less common, but is one way to cut costs on rent.
Since you’ll likely have roommates, you may be wondering how to go about the process of finding yours. If you decide to live in a dorm, you can request a specific roommate or match with a roommate who has similar habits to you. If you know who you want to live with, you tell the University their name and university ID number so that you’ll be placed together. This is a similar process for off campus apartments.
If you don’t know anyone to live with, but are scared to leave it up to your property manager, there are steps you can take to find your roommate on your own. The most common way is through Facebook or Instagram. When you’re accepted to UMD, there are class Facebook packages to connect with other future students. This is a great way to look for a roommate by crafting a post of who you are and including some photos.
In addition, there are UMD Instagram pages where you can submit the same info and get posted on their feed. If you are beginning your roommate search, check out our article How to Find Roommates at UMD.
What are my next steps?
Once you have decided on which type of housing best fits your needs, you can begin the process of saving your spot.
On-Campus
If you want to live on-campus, begin this as soon as possible. Once you’ve completed it, they’ll send out a housing contract. When you sign that you can submit your preference in terms of roommates. For more information, check out the UMD Residence Hall website.
Off-Campus
This process is a bit more abstract than traditional dorm living. First, you should create a list of properties you are interested in. Then, you should contact their leasing team or schedule a tour to get information about rates, amenities and availability of floor plans. This gives you more control over your housing decisions.
Once you’ve decided on a property, you’ll complete an application, sign a lease and pay required fees. For more information on the process, look into our guide: How to Sign a Lease at Student Housing Apartment Near UMD.
As a freshman, we understand that this transition can be daunting. We hope this article gave you insight into the differences between off-campus and on-campus housing and what is best for you! If you have any questions regarding your housing options, feel free to contact Rambler’s leasing team today! We would be happy to answer anything that arises on your search to finding your perfect home.
Read Next: Skipping The Dorms: Choosing an Apartment as a Freshman at UMD
Allison
Allison is a Property Marketing Intern for Rambler College Park. She's a student at the University of Maryland, majoring in Marketing and Management. Her favorite drink to order is a vanilla iced latte!
Published On: April 8, 2026
Last Updated On: May 6, 2026
