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Off-Campus Housing Near Ithaca College
About Off-Campus Housing Near Ithaca College
Ithaca College is a mid-sized private institution of roughly 6,000 students perched on South Hill above the city of Ithaca in the Finger Lakes region of New York. The college is nationally recognized for its School of Communications, Roy H. Park School of Communications, and its programs in music, film, television, and the performing arts, drawing students who are serious about careers in media and creative fields. The campus occupies a dramatic hilltop setting with views of Cayuga Lake and sits adjacent to Cornell University, giving students access to a college town with significant cultural and academic resources. Campus life is active and community-oriented, with strong traditions around residential life, student organizations, and performing arts productions. After freshman year, many students migrate off campus into the dense rental markets of Collegetown and the surrounding South Hill streets, where the IC student community maintains a strong presence. The combination of a rigorous academic environment, scenic location, and proximity to both Cornell and downtown Ithaca makes Ithaca College a distinctive place to live and study.
Ithaca College Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
Ithaca College requires all first-year students to live in on-campus residence halls for their freshman year. This policy is intended to support academic transition and community building during the first year. Exemptions are granted only in limited circumstances such as living with a parent or guardian within a defined commuting distance.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Students who have completed their freshman year are generally eligible to sign off-campus leases. The most common move-off timeline is after sophomore year, though some students transition after freshman year with approved exemptions. Popular off-campus areas include Collegetown, the South Hill neighborhood, and downtown Ithaca.