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Abilene Christian University was founded in 1906 by members of the Churches of Christ and has grown into a recognized private Christian university of roughly 5,000 students. The campus anchors the north side of Abilene, a West Texas city that serves as a regional hub for healthcare, retail, and agriculture. ACU is known for programs in business, nursing, education, and the liberal arts. The university's Christian identity shapes residential life and campus culture in tangible ways. Abilene has a strong regional character, with Dyess Air Force Base as a major employer and a downtown revival bringing new life to the Cypress Street corridor.
The closest off-campus neighborhood to ACU, North Judge Ely and the surrounding residential blocks offer walkable access to campus and a mix of rentals from small apartments to older single-family homes. It is the most student-dense area outside the dormitories.
This centrally located area is a short drive from campus and has a range of affordable apartments. It sits near Citylink routes and has grocery and fast-food options within a short distance, making it practical for students who do not want to drive far for daily needs.
A more suburban stretch southwest of campus with newer apartment complexes and lower noise levels. Rents can be slightly lower than the immediate campus area, and the tradeoff is a 10-to-15-minute drive to ACU.
The blocks near Cypress Street and North 1st Street have a small but growing supply of apartment and loft rentals. Students who want proximity to Abilene's dining and arts district and prefer a less campus-centric environment find this area appealing.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Abilene.
Abilene operates Citylink, a fixed-route bus system with several routes covering major corridors including South 1st Street and Winters Freeway. Service is limited compared to larger Texas cities, with buses running on weekday and reduced weekend schedules. Most ACU students find that the Citylink network does not reliably connect all off-campus neighborhoods to the university in time for early classes, so it works best as a supplement rather than a primary mode. Students without a car who rely on transit should specifically look for housing on or very near established routes.
The neighborhoods closest to ACU, particularly along North Judge Ely and the residential streets west of campus, are walkable for daily errands and the campus commute. Biking is feasible on the same routes given the relatively flat terrain and light traffic on residential streets. Further out, Abilene's layout is more car-oriented with wide arterials and limited dedicated bike infrastructure. Students living south of campus near Ambler Avenue or along Buffalo Gap Road will find a bike commute workable but require attention to traffic on busier roads.
Abilene is a mid-sized Texas city where car ownership is the norm, and parking is generally available and affordable throughout the metro. Most off-campus apartment complexes include at least one designated or open parking space per unit at no additional charge. Street parking is available in most residential neighborhoods near ACU without permits or time restrictions. On-campus parking at ACU requires a permit, so students who drive to class should factor the permit cost into their transportation budget.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Rents near ACU are modest by Texas standards. One-bedroom apartments in the neighborhoods closest to campus typically run $650 to $950 per month, while two-bedroom units range from $850 to $1,200. Shared houses or duplexes near North Judge Ely can be even more affordable when split among two or three students. Abilene's overall cost of living is well below the state average, which makes the rental market accessible for most students.
Browse student housing near each Abilene-area university.