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Saint Mary's University of Minnesota is a private Catholic university rooted in the Lasallian Brothers tradition, founded in 1912 on a bluff overlooking the Mississippi River in Winona, MN. The university enrolls approximately 5,000 students across undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, nursing, and the liberal arts. Its residential campus sits atop Winona's limestone bluffs within a small river city in southeastern Minnesota. Winona also hosts Winona State University, creating a modest but active rental market where students from both schools compete for off-campus housing near downtown and the riverfront.
Saint Mary's University of Minnesota requires all first-year students to live in university-owned residence halls for their first academic year. This policy helps new students integrate into campus life, build peer connections, and access academic support resources during a critical transition period.
Sophomore, junior, and senior students are generally permitted to live off campus, though students should confirm current eligibility requirements with the Office of Residential Life. Students with approved commuter status - such as those living with a parent or guardian within a defined radius - may also qualify for an exemption from on-campus requirements.
Winona's rental market moves relatively early given competition from both Saint Mary's and Winona State University students. Most desirable off-campus properties are claimed by late winter, so students should begin their search in January or February for the following fall semester.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with Saint Mary's University of Minnesota before signing a lease.
Students who want the best selection of off-campus housing near Saint Mary's should start looking in late November or December of their sophomore year. Winona is a small city and quality rental inventory is limited, meaning popular units close to campus fill up quickly. Getting a head start gives you time to tour multiple properties and negotiate lease terms before the best options disappear.
January through early March represents the peak period when most off-campus housing in Winona is claimed. Both Saint Mary's and Winona State University students are actively searching during this window, which tightens availability considerably. If you start your search during this period, move quickly when you find a suitable unit - hesitation often means losing a property to another applicant.
Students who begin searching in April or May will find significantly fewer choices, but options do still exist. Some landlords hold units longer due to pricing or condition issues, and occasional lease breaks free up apartments at unexpected times. Checking local property management websites and the university's off-campus housing board regularly can surface last-minute opportunities, though flexibility on location and amenities will be necessary.
Along Huff Street and near downtown, the closest off-campus options, with older homes converted to student rentals and small apartment buildings.
Affordable rentals with easy access to both campus and downtown shops and restaurants.
Quieter streets farther from campus where rents tend to be lower, best for students with cars.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, first-year students are required to live in university residence halls for their freshman year. Upperclassmen are generally free to move off campus after completing that initial year.
Other universities in Winona share a similar off-campus housing market.
Winona State University sits about 7,100 students in Winona, a Mississippi River town tucked between limestone bluffs in southeastern Minnesota. The campus is pedestrian-only and compact, so you cross it in about seven minutes, and downtown, the lakes, and the river are a short walk away. Lake Winona is three blocks…
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