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The Ohio State University packs about 61,369 students into Columbus, one of the largest single campuses in the country and the heart of a fast-growing capital city. The center of it all is the Oval, the grassy quad students cross between classes, where legend says stepping on the bronze seal brings bad luck. Campus runs right into the University District, and the Short North arts corridor stretches south toward downtown with galleries and a monthly gallery hop. Game days at the stadium turn the whole city scarlet and gray, and the COTA bus system plus a walkable core mean plenty of students skip the car. Beyond campus you've got the riverfront, Goodale Park, and a downtown that keeps adding to itself.
Most first-years and second-years at Ohio State must live on campus, a two-year requirement that runs stricter than many schools. The rule is administered by Housing and Residence Education, which reviews any request to live elsewhere.
Exemptions are approved by Housing and Residence Education and include living with a parent or close relative within 25 miles of campus, being married, living in an approved Greek facility, or having completed at least four semesters of college after high school. Once you clear the requirement, you join a large off-campus scene packed into the University District and beyond. The rental process here is competitive and landlord-heavy, so expect applications, a security deposit, and often a co-signer if you lack credit history.
Leases in Columbus typically run from early August to late July, so plan for a brief overlap or a storage gap when you move. Watch the lease for per-bedroom liability, since group houses sometimes hold everyone jointly responsible for the full rent. Confirm utility setup and parking before signing, since parking is tight and sometimes permit-only.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Ohio State University-Main Campus before signing a lease.
Columbus leases on a brutally early cycle, so it pays to start ahead of the crowd. Newer complexes near campus begin leasing for the next academic year in the spring or summer of the year before, sometimes up to 18 months ahead of delivery. If you want a specific house or a newer building, treat the fall of the prior year as your starting line. Most students at Ohio State who land their first choice begin touring well before winter.
The real surge runs from December through February, when most students sign their leases. A lot of the best units sell out by November or December, before the peak even arrives. Classes begin in late August, and demand for walk-to-class spots is intense throughout this window. Typically the closest and newest buildings go first.
If you are searching late, spring and summer still turn up openings as plans fall through and graduates leave. Subletting is common over the summer term and can bridge a gap until a full lease opens up. The trade-off is fewer of the prime close-to-campus options. Still, the earlier you lock something near campus, the better your choices.
The dense student core right against campus, where most undergrads land, with everything from older houses to newer mid-rises.
The arts corridor just south, walkable and lively, drawing students who want city energy and pay a premium for it.
Leafy, historic, and a bit quieter, popular with grad students and upperclassmen.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A shared room or per-person spot in the University District usually runs about $600-$1,000/month. Older houses near campus land at the low end, while newer mid-rises and Short North units sit higher. Plan on another $50-$130/month for utilities depending on whether water and internet are bundled.