Off-Campus Housing Near Minneapolis College of Art and Design
$429+/unit
Fees may applyThe Sydney
$459+/unit
Fees may applyYugo Minneapolis 412 Lofts
$5,000/unit
Fees may apply1042 20th Ave
$3,500/unit
Fees may apply1046 26th Ave
$4,500/unit
Fees may apply1212 8th St
$1,800+/unit
Fees may apply1303-HEN
$4,195/unit
Fees may apply1310 8th ST
$4,795/unit
Fees may apply1316
$1,000+/unit
Fees may apply1838-HAY
$1,900/unit
Fees may apply2108-TAL
$1,600/unit
Fees may apply319 7th Ave
$1,450/unit
Fees may apply3428 Emerson Ave
$2,800/unit
Fees may apply4 bedroom 2 bath available 9/1/2023
$500/unit
Fees may apply4 Bedroom Apartments Dinkytown
$1,600+/unit
Fees may apply410-5TH
$810+/unit
Fees may apply414-7TH
$700+/unit
Fees may apply4th on Campus
$3,100/unit
Fees may apply5 Bedroom / 2 Bath in Dinkytown September 1st 2026
$2,000/unit
Fees may apply5-Bedroom House Close to U of M Campus
$895/unit
Fees may apply501 W Franklin Ave
$3,695/unit
Fees may apply522 12th Ave
About Off-Campus Housing Near Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Minneapolis College of Art and Design, known as MCAD, is a private fine arts and design college located in the Whittier neighborhood of south Minneapolis, adjacent to the Minneapolis Institute of Art. Founded in 1886, MCAD enrolls approximately 750 undergraduate and graduate students across programs in fine arts, design, filmmaking, and entrepreneurial studies. The college occupies a compact urban campus centered on a single main building, giving it an intimate studio-focused environment that sets it apart from large research universities. Because the college is small and entirely urban, there is no traditional residential campus life in the conventional sense. Students live in the surrounding Minneapolis neighborhoods, which offer a vibrant mix of galleries, restaurants, music venues, and independent businesses. The Whittier, Uptown, and Lyndale neighborhoods immediately surrounding MCAD are among the most walkable and bikeable in the Twin Cities, making it easy to reach campus on foot or by Metro Transit. Prospective students should be prepared to navigate the private rental market, as the college does not operate traditional residence halls.
Minneapolis College of Art and Design Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
MCAD does not have a mandatory freshman live-on policy. Incoming students are not required to live in college-owned housing, and there are no on-campus residence halls in the traditional sense. Students are expected to arrange their own housing before arriving on campus.
Off-Campus Eligibility
All students at MCAD are eligible to rent privately from their first semester onward. The college does not restrict off-campus living based on class year or credit hours. Students should begin searching for apartments in Minneapolis well in advance of their start date.
Lease Timing
Most Minneapolis leases run on a June 1 or September 1 cycle, which aligns reasonably well with the academic calendar. Signing a lease that starts in August or September is the most common approach for incoming students. Some landlords in the Whittier and Uptown areas allow flexible start dates for shorter-term arrangements.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Minneapolis College of Art and Design before signing a lease.
When to Start Looking for Housing Near Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Early Searchers
Students who begin their apartment search in January or February for a fall move-in are in the strongest position to find quality housing near MCAD. The neighborhoods surrounding campus, including Whittier and Uptown, see high competition from both students and young professionals. Starting early gives you access to the widest selection of units and the best chance to secure a place before the spring rush.
Peak Demand Window
The most competitive period in the Minneapolis rental market near MCAD runs from February through April. During these months, landlords list the majority of their available units and lease-ups happen quickly, often within days of a listing going live. Students who wait until late spring to begin searching will find fewer options and may need to expand their geographic search area or accept higher rents.
Last-Minute Options
Students who find themselves without housing by July or August still have realistic paths forward. Some landlords hold units that did not lease during the spring rush, and short-term furnished apartments are available in Minneapolis for those needing a temporary landing spot. Connecting with MCAD's student services office and checking student Facebook or Discord groups can surface off-market leads that do not appear on major listing platforms.
Neighborhoods Near Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Whittier
The Whittier neighborhood surrounds MCAD and is the most convenient option for students who want to walk to campus. It offers a dense mix of older apartment buildings, Victorian-era houses converted to rentals, and a handful of newer developments, all within minutes of the Minneapolis Institute of Art.
Uptown
Uptown sits just north and west of Whittier along Hennepin and Lyndale Avenues and is one of Minneapolis's most active urban neighborhoods. Students appreciate its independent coffee shops, music venues, and strong walkability, though rents trend slightly higher than in Whittier.
Lyndale
The Lyndale neighborhood extends south of Uptown and offers somewhat more affordable rents while still providing easy biking distance to MCAD. It has a quieter residential feel with good access to Nicollet Avenue dining and the Midtown Greenway bike trail.
Powderhorn
Powderhorn Park is located southeast of MCAD and appeals to students seeking lower rents and a strong arts community. The neighborhood is centered on Powderhorn Park itself, a large green space that hosts community events throughout the year.
Frequently Asked Questions: Off-Campus Housing Near Minneapolis College of Art and Design
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Rent near MCAD in the Whittier and Uptown neighborhoods typically runs between $900 and $1,400 per month for a studio or one-bedroom apartment as of 2024. Sharing a two- or three-bedroom unit with roommates can bring individual costs down to $600 to $900 per month. Prices vary significantly based on building age, amenities, and proximity to campus.
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Other Universities in Minneapolis
Other universities in Minneapolis share a similar off-campus housing market.
Augsburg College
Augsburg University sits in Cedar-Riverside at 2211 Riverside Ave, a compact urban campus between the Mississippi River and the University of Minnesota. Founded in 1869, Augsburg has grown into a diverse liberal arts university with strong programs in health sciences, social work, business, and the arts, drawing…
View housing near Augsburg CollegeCapella University
Capella University is a fully online, for-profit university headquartered at 225 South 6th Street in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1993 and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission, Capella offers bachelor's, master's, doctoral, and certificate programs through its online FlexPath and GuidedPath…
View housing near Capella UniversityDunwoody College of Technology
Dunwoody College of Technology is a private nonprofit technical college in the Near North neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota, offering programs in engineering technology, construction, design, and health sciences. Dunwoody does not operate campus dormitories, so all students arrange their own housing in the…
View housing near Dunwoody College of TechnologyInstitute of Production and Recording
The Institute of Production and Recording is a small, focused vocational school in the southwest Minneapolis metro area dedicated to training students in audio production, music business, and recording arts. With an enrollment of roughly 300 students, IPR offers an intimate learning environment built around hands-on…
View housing near Institute of Production and RecordingMinneapolis Business College
Minneapolis Business College is a small proprietary institution located along Hennepin Avenue in the Loring Park neighborhood of Minneapolis, Minnesota. The college focuses on career-oriented business and vocational programs designed for working adults and students seeking applied professional training. Enrollment is…
View housing near Minneapolis Business CollegeMinneapolis Community and Technical College
Minneapolis Community and Technical College, commonly called MCTC, is a two-year public community college located in the heart of downtown Minneapolis on Hennepin Avenue. Serving approximately 7,000 credit students each semester, MCTC offers associate degrees and certificates in fields ranging from liberal arts and…
View housing near Minneapolis Community and Technical CollegeNorth Central University
North Central University is a small, faith-based liberal arts university affiliated with the Assemblies of God, located in the Elliot Park neighborhood of downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota. Founded in 1930, NCU enrolls approximately 1,200 undergraduate students and offers programs in theology, ministry, business,…
View housing near North Central UniversityThe Art Institutes International Minnesota
The Art Institutes International Minnesota was a for-profit design and media college located at 2400 3rd Ave S in Minneapolis, Minnesota. It offered programs in graphic design, web design, fashion, and culinary arts. The school permanently closed around 2015 as part of the broader closure of Art Institutes campuses…
View housing near The Art Institutes International Minnesotafind my place guides for Minneapolis College of Art and Design
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Read student housing reviews near Minneapolis College of Art and Design →More on off-campus housing near Minneapolis College of Art and Design
- Move
Is a Car Necessary Near MCAD? Biking and Transit in Minneapolis
No, you do not need a car at MCAD. The Whittier campus sits a mile south of downtown, with Route 18 buses on Nicollet, the Midtown Greenway a few blocks away, and discounted Metro Transit passes sold on campus.
July 19, 2026read more → - Live
Best Neighborhoods for MCAD Students: Whittier, Uptown and Lyndale
Most MCAD student neighborhoods sit within a mile of the Whittier campus, and three do the heavy lifting: Whittier (one-bedrooms around $1,080 in 2026), Uptown/Lyn-Lake (livelier, pricier), and Lyndale (cheaper, still bikeable).
July 19, 2026read more → - Find
How Much Does It Cost to Rent Near MCAD in Minneapolis?
The average rent near MCAD is about $1,050 a month in 2026, but that hides a big spread: Whittier studios start around $870, one-bedrooms run $1,015 to $1,340, and splitting a two-bedroom drops each share to roughly $700.
July 19, 2026read more →
