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Point Park University is a private, independent university located in the heart of downtown Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. With an undergraduate enrollment of roughly 3,000 to 4,000 students, it offers programs in business, communications, performing arts, engineering technology, education, and the natural sciences through several schools including the Conservatory of Performing Arts. The university occupies a compact urban campus centered on the Cultural District and the historic Playhouse Square area, giving students immediate access to the city's professional, cultural, and entertainment resources. Point Park is known for its strong connections to Pittsburgh's performing arts and media industries, and many students pursue internships and professional opportunities throughout the city. The off-campus housing market is robust, with students able to choose from downtown apartments, nearby South Side flats, Uptown rowhouses, and North Shore units all accessible by public transit.
Point Park University encourages but does not universally require all freshmen to live on campus, and eligibility for on-campus housing is limited by residence hall capacity. Incoming students interested in campus housing should apply as early as possible since spaces are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Students who do not secure on-campus housing or who prefer to live independently may sign off-campus leases before classes begin.
All students are eligible to live off campus at Point Park, and upperclassmen overwhelmingly do so given the abundance of rental options within walking distance or a short bus ride from the downtown campus. Pittsburgh's South Side, Uptown, North Shore, and Strip District neighborhoods are all popular choices. Students should confirm any campus housing deadlines with the Office of Residence Life before signing an off-campus lease.
Pittsburgh's student rental market is moderately competitive, and most Point Park students searching for fall housing should begin their search between January and March to get the best picks. Landlords in neighborhoods like South Side and Uptown often list properties in late winter for the following August. Twelve-month leases are standard in Pittsburgh, though some downtown apartment buildings offer shorter terms at a premium.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Point Park University before signing a lease.
Point Park students who want to live in the most popular neighborhoods - South Side, Uptown, or within walking distance of downtown - should start searching in January or February for fall move-in. The Pittsburgh student rental market, while not as intense as some major university cities, still sees strong demand from multiple schools including Pitt, CMU, and Duquesne. Early searching gives you time to tour multiple units, negotiate lease terms, and secure a spot before the best inventory disappears.
The peak demand period for student housing in Pittsburgh typically runs from February through April, when leases for the following academic year are signed most frequently. During this window, well-priced units near downtown and South Side can receive multiple applicants quickly. Having a guarantor or co-signer lined up, along with your application documents ready, will help you move fast when you find the right place.
Students searching in the summer months of June through August will find fewer options but are not out of luck in Pittsburgh. Larger apartment buildings in downtown and the Strip District often have rolling availability and may offer incentives to fill vacant units before the fall semester. Subletting from students who studied abroad or graduated early is another avenue worth exploring in summer. Pittsburgh's relatively affordable rent compared to other major cities means last-minute searchers can still find decent options without spending dramatically more.
Across the Monongahela River from downtown, one of the most popular areas for Point Park students, with a dense strip of restaurants, bars, and shops alongside rowhouses and apartments.
Between downtown and Oakland, a short walk or bus ride from campus, with steady investment and new apartment development in recent years.
Northeast of downtown along the Allegheny River, a trendy residential and dining hub with newer apartment buildings and urban amenities.
Just across the Allegheny River, with easy access via the Fort Duquesne Bridge or the T light rail.
A bit further from campus but well-connected by Pittsburgh Regional Transit bus routes, with lower rents.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, Point Park has residence halls available primarily for freshmen and some upperclassmen, but space is limited. Students who want on-campus housing should apply early, and many upperclassmen choose to live off campus in surrounding Pittsburgh neighborhoods.
Other universities in Pittsburgh share a similar off-campus housing market.
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