1301 University

$1,235+/unit

Fees may apply

1301 University

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44 North

$399+/unit

Fees may apply

44 North

1.9 (5)
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700 University Ave

$899+/unit

Fees may apply

700 University Ave

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Chateau Student Housing Co-op

$1,180+/unit

Fees may apply

Chateau Student Housing Co-op

4.0 (5)
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Como Student Community Cooperative

$1,144+/unit

Fees may apply

Como Student Community Cooperative

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Como Student Community Cooperative (CSCC)
Best Overall

$1,144+/unit

Fees may apply

Como Student Community Cooperative (CSCC)

5.0 (5)
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GrandMarc Seven Corners

$364+/person

Fees may apply

GrandMarc Seven Corners

2.7 (5)
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HERE Minneapolis

$1,219+/unit

Fees may apply

HERE Minneapolis

1.1 (5)
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Hub Minneapolis

$675+/unit

Fees may apply

Hub Minneapolis

1.1 (5)
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$847+/unit

Fees may apply

Marcy Park Student Housing Co-op

3.2 (5)
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MPA / Marcy Park Apartments

$1,699+/unit

Fees may apply

MPA / Marcy Park Apartments

4.8 (5)
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$847+/unit

Fees may apply

Riverton Community Housing (Marshall Student Housing Co-op)

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Stadium Village Flats

$699+/unit

Fees may apply

Stadium Village Flats

5.0 (5)
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Students' Co-op

$512+/unit

Fees may apply

Students' Co-op

3.4 (5)
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The Arrow Apartments

$599+/unit

Fees may apply

The Arrow Apartments

5.0 (5)
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The Bridges Dinkytown

$935+/person

Fees may apply

The Bridges Dinkytown

4.2 (5)
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The Edge on Oak

$959+/unit

Fees may apply

The Edge on Oak

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The Elysian Apartments

$800+/unit

Fees may apply

The Elysian Apartments

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The Knoll Dinkytown

$875+/unit

Fees may apply

The Knoll Dinkytown

4.2 (5)
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The Pavilion on Berry

$549+/unit

Fees may apply

The Pavilion on Berry

4.2 (5)
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The Standard at Dinkytown

$670+/unit

Fees may apply

The Standard at Dinkytown

4.2 (5)
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About Off-Campus Housing Near Minneapolis 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 business to health sciences, culinary arts, and information technology. The college is part of the Minnesota State system and operates as an entirely commuter institution, with no on-campus housing available or planned. Its downtown location is one of the most transit-accessible points in the entire Twin Cities metro, sitting steps from the Metro Transit Green and Blue light rail lines and dozens of bus routes. Students come from across the metro area and beyond, and living arrangements vary widely from private apartments in downtown or nearby neighborhoods to suburban housing with a daily commute. Because MCTC does not provide any residential infrastructure, all students must secure their own housing independently. The college's urban setting means that students have access to an enormous range of neighborhoods at varying price points, making it possible to find accommodation to suit nearly any budget.

Minneapolis Community and Technical College Housing Requirements

Freshman Live-On Requirement

MCTC does not have a freshman live-on requirement or any on-campus housing program. The college is a commuter institution and does not operate residence halls or affiliated housing. All students, including first-semester freshmen, are fully responsible for securing their own housing.

Off-Campus Eligibility

Because MCTC has no on-campus housing, every student automatically lives off campus. There are no eligibility criteria, credit thresholds, or approval processes related to housing. Students may live anywhere in the metro area and commute by car, light rail, bus, bicycle, or on foot.

Lease Timing

Most Minneapolis leases follow a June 1 or September 1 start date, though the downtown core and adjacent neighborhoods offer more flexibility due to high turnover and a larger stock of professionally managed buildings. Students planning to move for a fall semester should aim to sign a lease by May or June. Those starting in the spring semester should begin searching in October or November.

Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Minneapolis Community and Technical College before signing a lease.

When to Start Looking for Housing Near Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Early Searchers

Students targeting housing near MCTC's downtown Minneapolis campus who begin searching in January or February for a fall start will find the best selection and most competitive pricing. The neighborhoods closest to downtown, including the North Loop, Elliot Park, and Cedar-Riverside, move quickly once spring listings appear. Beginning early also allows time to compare multiple units and negotiate lease terms.

Peak Demand Window

The Minneapolis rental market peaks between February and April each year, when the majority of available units are listed and competition from University of Minnesota students, young professionals, and newcomers to the city is at its highest. MCTC students searching during this window should be prepared to act quickly on listings that fit their budget, as desirable units near transit lines often lease within a few days. Having documentation such as proof of income or financial aid ready in advance speeds up the application process considerably.

Last-Minute Options

Students who need housing by August or later in the summer can still find units, particularly in the downtown core and neighborhoods farther from the University of Minnesota where demand is somewhat lower. Extended-stay hotels and furnished month-to-month apartments can serve as short-term solutions while a longer-term lease is secured. MCTC's student services office maintains resource lists and connections that can help students identify available housing quickly.

Neighborhoods Near Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Downtown Minneapolis

Living in the downtown core puts MCTC students within walking distance of campus and gives them direct access to the light rail, bus rapid transit, and the Skyway system. High-rise apartment buildings in downtown range from budget-friendly older units to newer luxury towers, offering options at several price points.

Elliot Park

Elliot Park sits immediately east of downtown and is one of the more affordable neighborhoods adjacent to campus. It has a mix of historic apartment buildings and newer developments, and the light rail Blue Line runs through its western edge for easy commuting.

Cedar-Riverside

Cedar-Riverside is a dense, culturally diverse neighborhood just south of downtown along the Mississippi River corridor and Cedar Avenue. It is well served by bus routes and has historically been home to a large student population due to proximity to several colleges.

North Loop

The North Loop neighborhood sits northwest of downtown across the river and has transformed into one of Minneapolis's trendiest areas over the past decade. Rents are higher than in Elliot Park but students who value walkable access to restaurants and nightlife while still being close to campus often find the tradeoff worthwhile.

Stevens Square

Stevens Square is a quiet residential neighborhood just southwest of downtown with relatively affordable rents and good bus access to MCTC. It borders the Whittier neighborhood and offers a more residential feel than the downtown core while remaining an easy commute.

Frequently Asked Questions: Off-Campus Housing Near Minneapolis Community and Technical College

Common questions from students searching for housing.

Renting near MCTC in downtown Minneapolis or the adjacent Elliot Park and Cedar-Riverside neighborhoods typically costs between $950 and $1,500 per month for a studio or one-bedroom unit as of 2024. Shared apartments with two or more bedrooms can reduce individual costs to $700 to $950 per month. Downtown luxury buildings charge significantly more, while older buildings in Elliot Park offer lower prices.

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…

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Capella 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 University

Dunwoody 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…

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Institute 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 Recording

Minneapolis 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…

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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,…

View housing near Minneapolis College of Art and Design

North 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,…

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The 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 Minnesota

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Read student housing reviews near Minneapolis Community and Technical College