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The 11 Best Overall Student Apartments Near Cornell (October 2026)

Cornell UniversityIthaca, NYUpdated Monthly

By the FMP Data Team · Reviewed October 1, 2026

11 properties reviewed
38+ reviews analyzed
updated October 2026
independentno pay-to-rank
the short answer

Llenroc leads our October 2026 ranking of the 11 Best Overall student apartments near Cornell with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by College Townhouse and 312 College Avenue. Across the 11 properties reviewed, students keep coming back to amenities & shared spaces and management & maintenance: the overall signals that move a property up this ranking. Browse all off-campus housing near Cornell University for every option.

  • winnerLlenroc
  • FMP Score range1.0–5.0 / 5
  • avg walk0 min to campus
  • rent range$639–$3750 /person
the ranking

The 11 Best Overall Student Apartments Near Cornell

Sorted by FMP Score from verified Cornell reviews, high to low. Scores reflect current Cornell reviews only.

  1. Llenroc
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Llenroc stands out as the gold standard for fraternity-owned housing near Cornell, combining the tight community of Greek life with the independence of off-campus living. Residents consistently highlight the house's reputation as the best option in its category, with members praising the strong brotherhood culture and the authentic residential experience it offers. The property delivers on what students want from a fraternity house: genuine community, reliable management, and a space that feels like home.

    $798/person/mo
  2. College Townhouse
    4.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: College Townhouse earns its ranking through responsive management and thoughtfully maintained facilities that make student life easier. Residents rave about the spacious layouts, clean common areas, and most importantly a leasing team that actually listens: as one student noted, the staff member "kindly showed me the available rooms" and "answered all my questions thoroughly." The building's newer furniture and fast-responding maintenance and technicians mean you spend less time dealing with problems and more time studying or relaxing. Fair pricing for the quality you're getting.

  3. 312 College Avenue
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: 312 College Avenue wins on location, safety, and a management team that genuinely cares about resident experience. Students consistently praise the newly renovated spaces, the short walk to campus, and the thoughtful touches like the new street lights that make late-night returns feel secure. As one long-term resident put it, "the management is super responsive and cooperative" and "the spaces are really cozy." The apartment delivers the full package: comfort, convenience, and peace of mind.

  4. The Ithacan Residences
    3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Ithacan Residences shines for its unbeatable downtown location and thoughtfully designed units that make urban student living genuinely appealing. The building sits steps from Ithaca Commons, restaurants, shops, and nature trails, with modern amenities like in-unit washer/dryer and full kitchens that justify the premium price. While some residents have raised concerns about security and maintenance responsiveness, the property's location and physical design make it a top choice for students who prioritize walkability and access to Ithaca's vibrant downtown scene.

    $2349/person/mo
  5. Collegetown Terrace
    2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Collegetown Terrace offers convenient proximity to campus and a welcoming community vibe, but recent concerns have shaken resident confidence. Students have flagged serious issues with internet reliability and transparency around pricing, with early signers feeling locked into unfair rates. The wifi problems are particularly frustrating for anyone juggling classes and work, as one resident described it: "The network is unbearable. It almost destroyed my interview." These operational hiccups have overshadowed what could otherwise be a solid choice.

    $639/person/mo
  6. Campus Hill Apartments
    5.0(4 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Campus Hill Apartments stands out for its unbeatable location near the bus stop and west campus, plus the bonus of an all-student community that keeps the vibe genuinely collegial. Residents love the accessibility and the tight-knit student atmosphere, though the distance from supermarkets does require a bit of planning. As one resident summed it up, "Close to the bus stop and the west campus, and all residents are students." It's a solid pick if proximity to campus life matters most to you.

    $1400/person/mo
  7. Collegetown Court
    1.7(3 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Collegetown Court maintains clean, well-kept units that residents genuinely appreciate, but serious management issues have created a troubling living environment. Reports of disrespectful behavior and verbal aggression from staff toward residents, particularly students of color, represent a major red flag that overshadows the property's physical appeal. Add in maintenance failures like broken elevators and heating problems, and one resident's experience says it all: "If the elevator and heat worked when I lived here it would've bumped from 1 to 3 stars." Management accountability is essential here.

    $775/person/mo
  8. Coal Yard Apartments
    4.5(2 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Coal Yard Apartments delivers exceptional value with spacious, thoughtfully designed units and genuinely caring management that actually responds to tenant needs. Students rave about the roomy bedrooms, well-equipped kitchens, and the landlord's respectful, helpful approach to maintenance issues. As one resident noted, the apartments feature "spacious bedrooms, spacious and a well-equipped kitchen, and bathroom" with management that's "consistently respectful, kind, and helpful." While some wish for more amenities like a gym or better rooftop use, the combination of affordability and responsive landlords makes this a standout choice.

    $1240/person/mo
  9. Collegetown Plaza
    4.0(1 review)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Collegetown Plaza earns its spot as a solid overall choice near Cornell by delivering straightforward, reliable student housing without the drama. Residents consistently praise the management team for being responsive and genuinely invested in keeping things running smoothly. As one resident put it, the place "isnt too bad" with "good management staff" who actually show up when you need them. It's the kind of no-frills, dependable option that lets you focus on your studies and social life instead of fighting with your landlord.

    $825/person/mo
  10. Colonial Building
    1.0(1 review)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Colonial Building struggles to compete in the overall near-Cornell market due to fundamental comfort and value issues that affect daily life. The building's location next to a nightclub becomes a real problem when paired with poor soundproofing and windows that don't seal properly, leaving residents exposed to noise and temperature swings they can't control. One resident summed up the frustration: "0 Soundproofing of walls even though it is located right next to a nightclub. Windows don't shut properly either. No temperature regulation system. Overpriced as well." For the price, there are simply better options that won't leave you losing sleep.

    $825/person/mo

The Full Ranking, One Table

Sort by any column. The rank stays with the property.
The full ranking of every listed apartment, sortable by any column.
1Llenroc5.0/55–$798/mo
2College Townhouse4.4/55––
3312 College Avenue4.2/55––
4The Ithacan Residences3.4/55–$2349/mo
5Collegetown Terrace2.6/55–$639/mo
6Campus Hill Apartments5.0/54–$1400/mo
7Collegetown Court1.7/53–$775/mo
8Coal Yard Apartments4.5/52–$1240/mo
9140 Seneca Way3.0/52–$2516/mo
10Collegetown Plaza4.0/51–$825/mo
11Colonial Building1.0/51–$825/mo

Walk times are door-to-door to Cornell campus. Rent is per person, per month.

FMP award criteria

How We Ranked These Apartments

1

Ranked by the FMP Score

FMP Score, high to low. That’s the whole ranking. It’s our overall measure of a property, combining verified review scores with signals reviews miss, like how current the listing is kept and how responsive management is. Ties go to the property with more verified reviews.

2

Who Makes the List

Every property near Cornell can appear, but it takes a minimum number of verified reviews before we score and rank it. Properties under that bar sit below every ranked property and move up automatically as reviews come in.

3

How We Calculate the FMP Score

The FMP Score blends the social, management, and quality scores from verified reviews with signals that a place is actively and well run, like how up to date its listing is kept and how consistently management responds to residents. It’s built to surface genuinely well-run properties, not just the highest raw review average.

by the numbers

What Makes an Apartment ‘well-rounded’ Near Cornell

We ran every verified overall review for Cornell-area apartments through theme analysis. These are the themes students bring up most when a place feels well-rounded, by share of the reviews that mention them.

safety and security concerns
7%
poor maintenance responsiveness
4%
responsive helpful management
4%

Based on AI analysis of verified Cornell overall reviews, refreshed monthly. Percentages show the share of reviews that mention each theme; most reviews mention more than one. See our complete Cornell review data →

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall student apartment near Cornell?

Llenroc leads our October 2026 ranking of the 11 Best Overall student apartments near Cornell with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by College Townhouse and 312 College Avenue.

How is this ranking calculated?

This list is ranked by one number: each property's overall score from verified reviews. Students rate a property's overall 1 to 5, and we average those scores, counting recent reviews more heavily than older ones. No self-reported data from landlords.

What makes an apartment the best overall?

The best overall apartments score highly across everything students rate (social scene, management, and unit quality), not just one. This ranking uses each property's overall rating from verified reviews.

How often is this ranking updated?

Monthly. We re-pull verified reviews and re-score every property at the start of each month, so the order reflects the most recent 24 months of student feedback. The “updated” date at the top of the page shows the latest refresh.

How many reviews does a property need to be included?

There's a minimum number of verified reviews to rank by score, and we don't publish the exact bar so it can't be gamed. Properties under it still appear, below every qualified property and ordered by review count, so a 5.0 from one review never outranks a 4.5 from thirty. Once a property collects enough reviews, it moves into the scored ranking automatically.

Is this ranking independent, or can properties pay to rank higher?

It's fully independent. There's no pay-to-rank. Position is set by verified reviews alone. Property managers can't buy placement, remove reviews, or influence the score.

for property managers

Made the List? Get Your FMP Award Badge.

If your property is on this ranking, you've earned an FMP Award. Reach out and we'll set you up with the official badge for your website, social, and print, free. It's how renters know your ranking is real.

Find My Place Award2026
11st place

Best Overall

student apartments near Cornell

Verified & independentCornell University · Ithaca, NY