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The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near IU (October 2026)

Indiana University-BloomingtonBloomington, INUpdated Monthly

By the FMP Data Team · Reviewed October 1, 2026

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

The Rive Bloomington leads our October 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near IU with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by The Bleachers and College Mall Apartments. Across the 18 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 Indiana University-Bloomington for every option.

  • winnerThe Rive Bloomington
  • FMP Score range3.4–5.0 / 5
  • avg walk0 min to campus
  • rent range$250–$2339 /person
the ranking

The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near IU

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

  1. The Rive Bloomington
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Rive Bloomington stands out as the top overall choice near IU because it combines premium amenities with genuinely invested staff who go above and beyond. Students rave about the responsive maintenance team, the full roster of perks (gym, sauna, rooftop pool), and a management crew that treats residents like family. As one resident put it, "They make this place more than just livable and special," and that human touch from staff like Britney who inspire great attitudes is what transforms a nice apartment into a place you actually want to call home.

    $1049/person/mo
  2. The Bleachers
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Bleachers earns its rank through a combination of clean, well-maintained units and a landlord who genuinely shows up for his residents. Students consistently praise Pete's professionalism and responsiveness, and the location works hard for off-campus living. What really sets this place apart is the care factor: whether it's handling neighbor disputes swiftly or supporting first-time renters through the transition, residents feel looked after. As one student reflected, "This was my first time on my own in college and I felt safe and taken care of here."

    $850/person/mo
  3. College Mall Apartments
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: College Mall Apartments delivers solid, reliable student living with an unbeatable location and management that actually listens. The proximity to Simon Mall, Target, Kroger, and bus lines makes getting around effortless, while the team's quick response to maintenance and regular upkeep (quarterly pest control, inspections) keeps things running smoothly. Students appreciate the affordability and the fact that management stays on top of things; as one resident noted, "The management team is always incredibly responsive, helpful, and friendly."

    $730/person/mo
  4. Third Apartments
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Third Apartments impresses with thoughtfully designed, modern units and a leasing team that genuinely cares about making the process stress-free. From the moment you walk in, staff like Ben demonstrate professionalism and real attentiveness to resident needs, and the management philosophy clearly prioritizes keeping people happy. Students highlight the high-quality finishes and functional layouts, and as one resident shared, "The management team clearly cares about their residents, and it shows," making the whole experience feel personal rather than transactional.

    $699/person/mo
  5. Waters Edge Apartments Bloomington
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Waters Edge Apartments stands out as the go-to choice for students who want both stunning living spaces and genuinely invested management. Residents rave about the gorgeous apartments and incredible amenities one student even hosted their bridal shower here but what really sets this place apart is the team behind it. Shannon, Ivan, Logan, and Pam consistently go above and beyond, responding quickly to requests and handling everything from maintenance to leasing with real care. As one resident put it, "It is clear the team genuinely cares about the residents and takes their responsibilities seriously." You're not just renting an apartment; you're joining a community where people actually have your back.

    $1315/person/mo
  6. The Beverly
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Beverly delivers a polished first impression and a leasing experience that sets the tone for your whole move-in. Students consistently highlight the beautiful apartments and the welcoming vibe from the moment they walk through the door. The tour itself becomes part of the appeal staff make sure you feel excited about your new place, not just informed about it. If you're looking for a property that treats the leasing process like it matters, The Beverly gets it right from day one.

    $1149/person/mo
  7. Evolve Bloomington
    4.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Evolve Bloomington wins over students with genuine support and a team that actually shows up for residents. The staff brings professionalism and patience to every interaction, making the whole experience feel less transactional and more like they're invested in your success. As one resident shared, "They were professional, patient, and genuinely cared about making everything easy and stress-free." When you're juggling classes and life, having a management team that removes friction is everything.

    $1254/person/mo
  8. 4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Dillon appeals to IU students with practical perks that actually matter: consistent shuttles straight to campus and townhome-style units that give you way more space than typical student apartments. The friendly service and helpful staff create a solid foundation for off-campus living. That said, some residents have reported billing issues and management responsiveness problems that contradict the lease terms, so it's worth asking detailed questions before signing. When it works, it's a great option; when it doesn't, getting resolution can be frustrating.

    $789/person/mo
  9. State on Campus Bloomington
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: State on Campus Bloomington earns its spot as an overall standout near IU thanks to genuinely excellent customer service that sets it apart from the competition. Students consistently praise the friendly and helpful office staff, the well-maintained units, and solid amenities like the pool, gym, and basketball court. As one resident reflected, "the best part about state is their extremely friendly and helpful customer service at their office. Very understanding and helpful." If you can work around the parking and construction quirks, the management's responsiveness makes this a solid choice for your time in Bloomington.

    $250/person/mo
  10. The Crest
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Crest stands out for combining a genuinely pet-friendly environment with a management team that actually shows up for its residents. Students highlight the brand-new appliances, the convenient proximity to downtown and campus, and the personal attention from staff members like Phil and Alexandra who go the extra mile. One long-term resident summed it up well: "The properties are always clean and well-maintained, and both of the locations are incredibly convenient. The management team has always been responsive and helpful." You get that luxury-apartment feel without the doorman price tag.

    $1139/person/mo
  11. Hub Bloomington
    3.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Hub Bloomington scores points for its newer construction and solid campus location, but the execution has left residents frustrated. While the building itself is well-positioned near IU, students report persistent structural issues elevators that stay broken, parking that doesn't work, and a fire alarm that goes off constantly. One resident's experience captures the disappointment: the building "shakes violently more than 5 times a day causing things to break and fall like an earthquake." When a newer complex cuts corners on the fundamentals, it's hard to overlook those daily frustrations.

    $799/person/mo
  12. The Standard at Bloomington
    3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Standard at Bloomington offers fancy amenities and a nice aesthetic, but management's deposit practices and surprise charges have left residents feeling nickeled-and-dimed. Students report that the complex won't return deposits and has hit residents with unexplained fees one resident's son faced a $600 charge just for putting up string lights, on top of similar fines levied across the entire building. As one frustrated resident put it, "they charged $600 for putting up string lights and other random charges." When move-out costs rival a month's rent, the fancy finishes stop feeling worth it.

    $1210/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.
1The Rive Bloomington5.0/55–$1049/mo
2The Bleachers5.0/55–$850/mo
3College Mall Apartments5.0/55–$730/mo
4Third Apartments5.0/55–$699/mo
5Waters Edge Apartments Bloomington5.0/55–$1315/mo
6The Beverly5.0/55–$1149/mo
7Evolve Bloomington4.4/55–$1254/mo
8The Dillon4.2/55–$789/mo
9State on Campus Bloomington4.2/55–$250/mo
10The Crest4.2/55–$1139/mo
11Hub Bloomington3.6/55–$799/mo
12The Standard at Bloomington3.4/55–$1210/mo

Walk times are door-to-door to IU 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 IU 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 IU

We ran every verified overall review for IU-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.

responsive helpful staff
35%
parking problems
22%
unfair deposit charges
6%

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

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall student apartment near IU?

The Rive Bloomington leads our October 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near IU with a 5.0/5 FMP Score, followed by The Bleachers and College Mall Apartments.

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 IU

Verified & independentIndiana University-Bloomington · Bloomington, IN