Loading listings
Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences (PNWU) is a private, nonprofit osteopathic medical school located in Yakima, Washington. Founded in 2005, PNWU enrolls roughly 500 graduate and professional students in its Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program, with a mission focused on increasing primary care physicians in rural and underserved communities of the Pacific Northwest. The campus sits in the Yakima Valley, a region known for agriculture, orchards, and a strong Hispanic and Latino community. PNWU does not operate traditional undergraduate programs, and the student body is made up entirely of graduate-level medical students. Yakima offers students an affordable cost of living compared to Seattle and other western Washington cities, with ample rental housing options throughout the city. The surrounding valley provides access to outdoor recreation including hiking, skiing at White Pass, and wine country touring. Students training at PNWU gain clinical exposure in the Yakima region and across rural Washington, making community ties and local housing decisions especially important throughout their training.
PNWU is a graduate-only osteopathic medical school and has no freshman live-on requirement. All enrolled students are graduate-level medical professionals who make independent housing arrangements in the Yakima area or surrounding communities.
All PNWU students live off campus, as the university does not operate residential dormitories. Students typically rent apartments or houses in Yakima neighborhoods near campus or in surrounding areas of the Yakima Valley.
Most PNWU students begin classes in late July or early August, so lease searches should start at least two to three months in advance. Signing a lease in May or June ensures the widest selection of available units before the academic year begins.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Pacific Northwest University of Health Sciences before signing a lease.
Students who begin searching in March or April are best positioned to secure preferred housing before inventory tightens. Yakima is a smaller rental market, and desirable units near the PNWU campus or downtown tend to go quickly once the spring season opens. Starting early also allows time to visit properties in person and compare neighborhoods without pressure.
The busiest rental period in Yakima for PNWU students runs from May through mid-July, when incoming first-year students are actively signing leases ahead of the late-July start. During this window, landlords near the university and in popular neighborhoods like West Valley and the downtown corridor see increased competition. Acting quickly on well-priced listings is advisable.
Students who have not secured housing by July can still find units in Yakima, though selection will be more limited. Short-term furnished rentals and extended-stay properties in the area provide temporary options while a longer-term lease is arranged. Some students also connect through PNWU's student community forums to find roommate matches or sublets.
The downtown core offers walkable access to restaurants, coffee shops, and the Yakima SunDome, with a mix of apartment buildings and converted lofts at reasonable monthly rates.
West Valley is a quiet residential area west of downtown with single-family rental homes and duplexes that are popular among students who prefer more space and a suburban feel.
North Yakima neighborhoods near Yakima Avenue offer affordable apartments and easy access to Highway 12, making commutes across the valley straightforward for students with clinical rotations.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
One-bedroom apartments in Yakima typically rent for $900 to $1,300 per month, depending on the neighborhood and amenities. Two-bedroom units shared among two students often bring costs down to $600 to $800 per person, making Yakima significantly more affordable than western Washington cities.