Loading listings
Hamline University is a small Methodist-affiliated liberal arts university in the Midway neighborhood of St Paul, Minnesota, enrolling approximately 1,500 undergraduates and a similar number of graduate students. Founded in 1854 as the first university in Minnesota, Hamline sits along Hewitt Avenue in a dense, walkable urban neighborhood bounded by Snelling and Lexington Avenues, two major commercial corridors with restaurants, shops, and transit connections. The campus blends historic brick buildings with modern academic facilities, anchored by a tight residential core where most first- and second-year students live. The surrounding Midway area is one of St Paul's most transit-rich neighborhoods, served by the METRO Green Line light rail at multiple stops within easy walking distance of campus. Students enjoy quick access to the dining, nightlife, and cultural resources of both St Paul and Minneapolis, connected by a single light rail corridor. Hamline's relatively compact size fosters a close-knit academic community, and the surrounding residential blocks offer a healthy off-campus housing market shaped by generations of university students.
Hamline University requires all first-year students to live on campus in university-managed residence halls for their inaugural year. This policy is designed to support student transition, foster community, and ensure access to academic and wellness resources during the critical first semester. Exceptions are considered on a case-by-case basis for students who commute from a parent or guardian's home within a defined distance.
Students who have completed their first year at Hamline are generally eligible to move off campus beginning in their sophomore year. Students who are 21 or older, veterans, married, or living with a dependent may also qualify for off-campus exemptions regardless of class year. Students should confirm their eligibility with the Office of Residential Life before signing any external lease.
Most Hamline students who plan to live off campus for the following academic year begin signing leases in February and March. The blocks immediately surrounding campus in the Midway neighborhood are competitive, and popular units are often claimed well before spring break. Students are strongly advised to finalize housing arrangements no later than April to avoid limited options heading into summer.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Hamline University before signing a lease.
Students who begin exploring off-campus housing in October or November of their freshman year put themselves in the strongest position for a smooth sophomore-year transition. The Midway rental market moves on an academic calendar, and landlords who manage properties adjacent to Hamline often begin showing units in late fall for August occupancy. Touring neighborhoods during this window gives students a realistic sense of price ranges and commute times before the competitive spring lease-signing rush begins. Groups forming roommate arrangements early can also secure larger units that would otherwise be claimed quickly.
The peak of the Hamline off-campus housing market runs from late January through March, when the bulk of lease signings for the following fall occur. Landlords on Thomas Avenue, Englewood Avenue, and the blocks between Snelling and Lexington fill their best units during this six-week stretch. Students who wait until April will find fewer choices and may need to expand their search radius or accept lower-quality units. Acting decisively during this window is the single most effective strategy for securing quality housing near campus.
Students searching after May for August housing will find a thinned-out market in the immediate Midway blocks but meaningful availability further into St Paul neighborhoods served by the METRO Green Line. Frogtown, the North End, and sections of the Summit-University neighborhood often carry rental listings into summer. University off-campus housing boards and local Facebook groups specific to Hamline and St Paul can surface sublets and lease takeovers during this period. Students willing to live 10 to 15 minutes from campus by light rail or bike will have the most options.
The blocks immediately surrounding campus are the most convenient and most competitive rental zone for Hamline students. One- and two-bedroom apartments on Thomas Avenue and Englewood Avenue lease quickly each spring and offer a five-minute walk to class.
The stretch of Snelling Avenue near campus is flanked by apartments above retail and converted homes offering units with easy access to light rail, grocery stores, and restaurants. This corridor is ideal for students who prioritize walkable errands and fast transit connections.
A historically diverse neighborhood just east of Midway with some of the most affordable rents in inner St Paul. Frogtown offers frequent bus connections and is a practical choice for budget-conscious students comfortable with a 10-to-15-minute commute.
A stately neighborhood south of campus featuring large Victorian homes converted into multi-unit rentals. Summit-University attracts upperclassmen and graduate students who value spacious units and tree-lined streets over proximity to campus.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
One-bedroom apartments in the Midway and Hamline-Midway neighborhoods typically rent for $900 to $1,300 per month. Two-bedroom units shared between roommates range from $1,200 to $1,800, bringing individual costs down to $600 to $900 per person. Neighborhoods a bit further from campus, like Frogtown, can offer one-bedrooms closer to $800 to $1,000 per month.
Other universities in St Paul share a similar off-campus housing market.
Concordia University Saint Paul is a small private Lutheran university in the Hamline-Midway neighborhood of St Paul, enrolling roughly 3,000 students across programs in education, business, criminal justice, and the liberal arts. Founded in 1893 by the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod, CSP occupies a compact campus…
View housing near Concordia University Saint PaulMacalester College is a highly selective private liberal arts college located on a residential campus along Grand Avenue in St Paul, Minnesota. Founded in 1874, Macalester enrolls approximately 2,100 undergraduate students and is known for its strong emphasis on internationalism, multiculturalism, and civic engagement.…
View housing near Macalester CollegeSt. Catherine University, known as St. Kate's, is a private Catholic liberal arts university in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, the university primarily serves women undergraduates while also admitting men and women in graduate programs.…
View housing near St Catherine UniversityUniversity of St. Thomas is a private Catholic university located on Summit Avenue in the Macalester-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul, MN. The university enrolls approximately 6,000 to 7,000 undergraduate students and is well regarded for its programs in business, engineering, law, and the liberal arts. St. Thomas…
View housing near University of St Thomas MN