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The Medical College of Wisconsin is a private academic medical institution located on the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus in Wauwatosa, a western suburb of Milwaukee. Founded in 1893, MCW enrolls approximately 1,500 students across its MD, PhD, and advanced practice programs, making it one of the largest private medical schools in the United States by enrollment. The institution is entirely graduate and professional in its student population, with no traditional undergraduate programs. MCW is deeply integrated with the surrounding medical complex, which includes Froedtert Hospital and the Children's Wisconsin hospital system, giving students direct clinical exposure from early in their training. The surrounding Wauwatosa neighborhood offers walkable amenities and proximity to campus, while the broader Milwaukee metro provides a full range of urban housing and social options for students across all years of their programs.
The Medical College of Wisconsin is a graduate health sciences institution and does not enroll traditional undergraduate students, so there is no freshman live-on requirement. All students are graduate or professional learners enrolled in programs such as MD, PhD, or advanced practice degrees. Housing decisions are entirely up to the individual student from the first day of enrollment.
Because MCW has no undergraduate population, all students are immediately eligible to live off campus and the vast majority choose to do so. The campus sits in Wauwatosa near the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center campus, and a range of rental options exists within walking and biking distance as well as throughout the broader Milwaukee metro. Many students share apartments or houses to manage costs during their long training years.
Incoming MCW students typically begin their housing searches in the spring before their programs start in late summer. Standard twelve-month leases in the Milwaukee area run August to August or September to September, aligning well with academic calendars. Students are advised to secure housing by April or May to have the best selection of units close to campus, as competition from other medical center employees and students can be significant.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Medical College of Wisconsin before signing a lease.
Incoming MCW students who begin searching in February or March for a July or August start are in the strongest position to find housing near the medical campus. Units closest to the Milwaukee Regional Medical Center complex, particularly in Wauwatosa and the surrounding neighborhoods, are competitive because they are desirable for hospital staff and residents as well as students. Starting early allows time to visit properties, evaluate commute times, and negotiate lease terms before the spring rush intensifies.
March through May represents peak activity in the Milwaukee rental market for fall occupancy. Wauwatosa apartments and houses within easy reach of MCW fill quickly during this window, especially those priced for graduate student budgets. Students who delay past late April may find fewer options in the most walkable or bikeable locations near campus and may need to expand their search to nearby Brookfield, West Allis, or central Milwaukee neighborhoods. Locking in a lease by late April is a reasonable target for most incoming students.
Students who are still searching in June or July will find the Milwaukee market tighter but not impossible. The broader metro has consistent rental inventory and landlords managing larger complexes often have units available with relatively short lead times. Students willing to consider a slightly longer commute to the medical campus will have more choices, and short-term furnished rentals can serve as a bridge while a permanent lease is arranged.
Wauwatosa sits immediately adjacent to the MCW campus and offers a mix of well-maintained apartment buildings and rental houses within walking or biking distance of the medical center. The village area of Wauwatosa has coffee shops, restaurants, and local retail that make it a popular choice for students seeking a suburban feel with walkable amenities.
The east side of Milwaukee, centered around North Prospect Avenue and the Lake Michigan shoreline, is a lively neighborhood with bars, restaurants, and independent shops. It is a longer commute to MCW by car, around fifteen to twenty minutes, but is popular with students who want a more urban social environment. Rent tends to be moderate relative to comparable urban neighborhoods in other Midwestern cities.
Brookfield is a quieter western suburb close to the MCW campus that appeals to students who prefer a low-key residential environment. The area has modern apartment complexes and easy highway access, making the commute to campus straightforward. It is a practical choice for students with families or those who prioritize space over proximity to city amenities.
West Allis borders Wauwatosa and offers some of the more affordable rental options in close proximity to MCW. The neighborhood has a mix of older housing stock and some newer rental developments, and it is accessible to campus by a short drive or bus ride. Students watching their budget closely often find good value here.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Rent near MCW in Wauwatosa and surrounding suburbs typically ranges from about $900 to $1,300 per month for a one-bedroom. Sharing a two-bedroom with a roommate can bring costs to $650 to $900 per person per month. Milwaukee's housing market is generally affordable compared to other major medical school cities.
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