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Off-Campus Housing Near Ferris State University
$439+/unit
Fees may applyCampus Creek Townhomes
$499/unit
Fees may applyCollege Town Apartments
$469/unit
Fees may applyOakwood Townhomes
$370+/unit
Fees may applyRapids Apartments
About Off-Campus Housing Near Ferris State University
Ferris State University is a polytechnic public university in Big Rapids, a small city in the pine forests of central Michigan about 60 miles north of Grand Rapids. FSU enrolls roughly 10,000 students and is known for its career-focused programs in pharmacy, optometry, nursing, automotive management, and skilled trades, many of which have strong regional employer relationships that translate into solid job placement rates. The university and the city are deeply intertwined: Big Rapids has a permanent population comparable in size to the student body, giving the area an unmistakable college-town character. Campus life centers on the Michigan Avenue corridor, the Starr Building quad, and the Muskegon River, which runs along the edge of downtown and provides a year-round backdrop for outdoor recreation. Winters are long and snowy, so students who thrive at FSU tend to embrace Michigan seasons rather than fight them.
Ferris State University Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
Ferris State University requires most incoming freshmen to live in on-campus residence halls for their first year. Exceptions are typically granted for students who are 21 or older, married, veterans, or living with a parent or guardian within a defined commuting distance.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Sophomores and upperclassmen are generally free to move off campus, and many do. Big Rapids has a healthy supply of student-oriented rentals within walking or biking distance of the FSU main campus, including apartment complexes, houses, and smaller rental units.
Lease Timing
Most landlords in Big Rapids list available units in January through March for the following August move-in. Students who wait until April or later may find the best properties already leased. Signing a lease in February or March typically secures the widest selection at the best rates.