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Columbus State University is a public university in Columbus, Georgia, part of the University System of Georgia, offering bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs across business, education, nursing, computer science, and the arts. The campus sits on University Avenue near the Chattahoochee River, a short distance from downtown Columbus and within a reasonable drive of Fort Moore, formerly Fort Benning. CSU serves a student body that includes traditional undergraduates, graduate students, and a notable population connected to the military community surrounding Fort Moore. The city of Columbus, GA is a mid-sized Southern city with an active riverfront, a revitalized downtown, and a cost of living well below most comparable college towns.
Columbus State University requires all first-year students with fewer than 30 credit hours to live on campus in university-managed residence halls unless they are granted a specific exemption. Exemptions are available for students who live with a parent or legal guardian within a defined commuting distance, who are married, or who meet other qualifying criteria outlined by the Office of Student Housing.
Students who have completed their freshman year or who have earned 30 or more credit hours are generally eligible to move off campus. Many sophomores and upperclassmen choose to rent in Midtown Columbus, GA, along Macon Road, or in neighborhoods near the Chattahoochee RiverWalk, where rents are significantly lower than comparable markets in larger cities.
Columbus, GA landlords typically begin listing apartments for August move-ins in February and March. Students who want to secure housing in well-maintained complexes near campus should aim to sign leases by April, and those looking for the most affordable options with more time to shop can usually find good units through May and into early June.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Columbus State University before signing a lease.
CSU students who want to live in the most sought-after complexes near the Macon Road corridor or close to the RiverWalk should begin searching in January or February. These units attract CSU students, Fort Moore service members, and young professionals from the broader Columbus market, creating genuine competition for the best listings. Touring in person during this window and being ready to apply immediately after a showing will significantly improve your chances.
The primary signing window in Columbus, GA runs from February through April, when most available units are listed and the bulk of CSU students are actively searching. Students in this window should be prepared with references, a guarantor if needed, and funds for a deposit and first month's rent. Complexes near the Wynton Road corridor and the Columbus Park Crossing area fill during this period, so delays cost options.
Students who have not secured housing by May or June still have real options in Columbus, GA, thanks to a rental market that is less pressured than many other college cities. Larger apartment complexes along Veterans Parkway and Macon Road typically have remaining availability into July. Students with flexible move-in dates or who are open to a longer or shorter lease term can often negotiate favorable deals with property managers during this slower window.
Midtown along Macon Road and Veterans Parkway is the primary rental zone for CSU students, with a wide range of apartment complexes within a 10-minute drive of campus. One-bedrooms typically range from $750 to $1,050, and larger complexes offer amenities like pools and covered parking that are standard in this market. The corridor has strong grocery and dining options, making it easy to handle daily errands without long drives.
The Wynton Road area to the east of downtown is popular with students who want more space at lower rents, with two-bedroom units often available in the $950 to $1,200 range split between roommates. The area is close to Columbus Park Crossing for shopping and has straightforward highway access for students with internships or part-time jobs around the metro. Several larger complexes here are geared toward the college and military demographic, with flexible lease terms available.
Students who prioritize a walkable lifestyle and proximity to Columbus's restaurant and bar scene cluster in and around downtown, close to the Chattahoochee RiverWalk. Renovated lofts and smaller boutique apartment buildings offer an urban feel at rents that are still well below what comparable downtown living costs in larger metros. The tradeoff is fewer large-complex amenities and a slightly longer drive to the CSU main campus.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
One-bedroom apartments in Midtown Columbus, GA typically rent for $750 to $1,050 per month. Two-bedroom units in the Wynton Road corridor average $950 to $1,200, and splitting with a roommate brings per-person costs to $475 to $650.