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Prescott College is a small progressive liberal arts school in Prescott, Arizona, with a focus on environmental studies and outdoor education. With under 1,000 students, it's one of the smallest schools in the region, so the housing market around it doesn't have the student-complex infrastructure of a larger university. Students rent throughout the city of Prescott — a historic mountain town at 5,400 feet with a genuine downtown and an outdoor recreation culture that aligns well with the college's character. Shared rooms in Prescott typically run $700–$1,000/month, making it one of the more affordable markets in Arizona. Most students find housing through word of mouth, the college's own housing resources, and local social networks.
Prescott College has very limited on-campus housing and no universal live-on requirement. Given the school's small size and non-traditional structure, housing is treated as an individual responsibility from the start. The college community tends to share resources and information about available rentals informally.
No contracted or approved housing system exists. Students rent freely throughout Prescott. The college maintains housing resources and community boards. Given Prescott College's small enrollment and emphasis on experiential learning, students are often highly mobile and find housing through community networks as much as formal listings.
Prescott's rental market is not heavily student-driven given the small enrollment. Standard 12-month leases are the norm. Starting 2 months before your move-in date is generally sufficient, though Prescott's overall rental market has tightened with growth in recent years.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Prescott College before signing a lease.
Starting 2–3 months before move-in is the right approach for Prescott College. The city doesn't have a tight student-housing seasonal cycle, but good rentals in the neighborhoods near the college go quickly as Prescott's broader population growth has increased general demand. Starting in April for fall move-in is solid practice.
Summer is the general peak for Prescott rentals, reflecting population growth and remote workers choosing the mountain climate over Phoenix's summer heat. Students searching in May through July compete with general renters rather than just other students.
Prescott's market is smaller but not empty — students searching in August will find options, particularly in older rental houses and apartments in central Prescott. The college community's informal networks are also a useful source of last-minute leads.
The blocks surrounding Prescott's historic downtown and Courthouse Plaza are the most walkable part of the city and closest to Prescott College's campus. Older houses and apartments in a genuinely charming historic district. Bike or walk to the college from here.
Slightly north of downtown, these residential areas offer more space at competitive prices. A short drive to the college and close to some of Prescott's trail access. Popular with students who want outdoor proximity and a more residential feel.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Shared rooms in Prescott typically run $700–$1,000/month — affordable relative to most Arizona markets. Solo apartments start around $900–$1,200/month. Prescott's mountain location and slower development pace have kept it below Phoenix and Tempe pricing, though the market has risen with the city's overall growth.
Other universities in Prescott share a similar off-campus housing market.
Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University's Prescott Campus sits at roughly 5,000 feet elevation in the Bradshaw Mountains of central Arizona, offering a dramatically different setting from its Florida counterpart. The campus is perched above the city of Prescott, a mid-sized community of around 45,000 people known for its…
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