Student Housing in Minneapolis, MN
Student Housing in Minneapolis, MN
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About Student Housing in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is a major Midwestern city known for its strong arts scene, Fortune 500 business base, and exceptional infrastructure for biking and public transit. The city sits on the Mississippi River and is divided into dozens of distinct neighborhoods, each with its own commercial life and character. Cedar-Riverside, where Augsburg University is located, is culturally distinctive, home to a large East African community and steps from the light rail connecting the campus to downtown and the University of Minnesota. Minneapolis winters are cold, but the city is built for it, with skyways, transit, and an active year-round outdoor culture. For Augsburg students, the city itself is as much a resource as the campus.
Best Neighborhoods for Students in Minneapolis
Cedar-Riverside
Cedar-Riverside is immediately adjacent to Augsburg's Riverside Ave campus and is the neighborhood most closely identified with Augsburg student life. It is dense, diverse, and walkable, with light rail access, East African restaurants and groceries, and a strong community identity that makes it unlike any other neighborhood near a Minneapolis campus.
Seward
Seward is a bike-friendly, cooperative-culture neighborhood just southeast of campus with a well-established rental market catering to students and young professionals. Franklin Ave and Minnehaha Ave anchor its commercial life, with natural food co-ops, coffee shops, and independent businesses that give the neighborhood a distinct character.
West Bank Arts District
The West Bank along Cedar Ave, immediately walkable from Augsburg, is home to live music venues, theaters, and some of Minneapolis's most affordable urban apartments. The Cedar Cultural Center is the neighborhood anchor, and proximity to the Cedar-Riverside transit hub makes this a strong car-free option.
Phillips and Midtown
Phillips and the Midtown corridor along Lake St offer the most affordable rents within a reasonable commute of Augsburg. The Route 21 bus runs frequently on Lake St and connects directly to campus, making this a practical choice for students prioritizing space and price over the shortest possible walk to class.
Getting Around Minneapolis as a Student
Here's what you need to know about getting around Minneapolis.
Public Transit
Minneapolis has one of the strongest public transit networks in the Midwest, operated by Metro Transit. The Blue Line and Green Line light rail trains run through the Cedar-Riverside station directly adjacent to Augsburg University's campus, connecting students to downtown Minneapolis, the University of Minnesota, and the Mall of America corridor. Frequent bus routes, including the Route 21 on Lake St and the Route 2 on Franklin Ave, serve the student neighborhoods around campus well. A Go-To Card loaded with stored value is the standard way to pay, and Metro Transit offers discounted passes for students and low-income riders.
Walking and Biking
Minneapolis is consistently ranked among the best biking cities in the United States, and the Cedar-Riverside neighborhood where Augsburg sits is well-integrated into the city's protected bike lane and trail network. The Midtown Greenway, a converted rail corridor, is accessible from Seward and connects westward to Uptown and eastward to the river trails. Most errands near campus and in neighboring Cedar-Riverside, Seward, and West Bank are walkable or bikeable from October through April with appropriate gear. Nice Ride, the city's bike-share program, supplements personal bikes for shorter trips.
Parking
Parking near Augsburg's campus in Cedar-Riverside is limited and can be expensive for street or ramp options. Augsburg offers student parking permits for its on-campus lots, but permits are competitive and not guaranteed for all students. Many students in Cedar-Riverside opt to live car-free or car-lite, relying on transit and biking, and use car-share services like Zipcar for trips requiring a vehicle. Students living in Seward or Phillips who do own a car generally find street parking easier than in Cedar-Riverside proper.
Frequently Asked Questions: Student Housing in Minneapolis
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Cedar-Riverside, directly adjacent to Augsburg, is one of the more affordable urban neighborhoods in Minneapolis. One-bedroom apartments typically rent for $1,100 to $1,500 per month, and two-bedroom units shared between roommates often work out to $700 to $1,000 per person. Seward and West Bank rents are comparable, while Midtown and Phillips offer lower prices with a short bus commute to campus.
Cedar-Riverside is the top choice for proximity and walkability to Augsburg's campus. The West Bank Arts District is equally close and has a distinct creative culture. Seward is slightly further but well-loved for its cooperative character and bike infrastructure. Students who prioritize affordability often look in Phillips and the Midtown corridor along Lake St.
Public transit is excellent. The Cedar-Riverside light rail station is steps from campus on both the Blue and Green Lines, connecting to downtown, the University of Minnesota, and the airport. Frequent bus lines including Route 21 on Lake St and Route 2 on Franklin Ave cover the surrounding student neighborhoods well. Metro Transit Go-To Cards are the standard payment method, and student discount passes are available.
No. Augsburg's Cedar-Riverside location is one of the better car-free college environments in the region. The light rail station, dense bike lane network, and walkable neighborhood commercial strips mean most daily needs can be met without a car. Car-share services like Zipcar are available for the occasional trip that requires a vehicle.
Parking in Cedar-Riverside is limited and can be costly. Augsburg offers on-campus student parking permits, but they are competitive and not guaranteed. Most students in Cedar-Riverside choose car-free or car-light living. Students in Seward or Phillips who own vehicles generally find street parking easier than in Cedar-Riverside itself.
Cedar-Riverside, Seward, and the West Bank are established Minneapolis neighborhoods with active community organizations and regular foot traffic. As in any urban setting, standard awareness practices apply, particularly at night. Cedar-Riverside benefits from a strong neighborhood association and significant ongoing community investment.
It depends on the building. Many older apartment buildings in Cedar-Riverside include heat in the rent, which matters given Minneapolis winters. Electricity is usually billed separately. Newer buildings typically bill all utilities separately. Always ask specifically about heat and water before comparing advertised rents across different buildings.
Yes. Augsburg has a housing board on its student portal, and Cedar-Riverside and Minneapolis Facebook housing groups are active. Sublets are common in the August 1st lease market when some tenants need to leave early or return late. Posting in Augsburg-specific groups early in the spring semester is the most effective way to find a roommate or sublet.
January and February are the critical months. Minneapolis's rental market near Augsburg operates on an August 1st lease cycle and the best units in Cedar-Riverside and Seward go fast. Waiting until spring break risks missing the strongest options. Many students sign leases in February or early March for apartments they will not occupy until August.
Universities in Minneapolis
Minneapolis is home to 9 universities, each with its own student 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 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 DesignMinneapolis 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…
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