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Springfield is the third-largest city in Missouri and the commercial hub of the Ozarks region, roughly 200 miles south of Kansas City. It hosts a notable concentration of colleges, and the student rental market around Missouri State University anchors much of the midtown neighborhood. The city has a low cost of living compared to most Midwestern metros, with affordable rents and minimal commute times. Downtown Springfield has seen steady reinvestment with new restaurants and venues alongside historic buildings on Commercial Street. Outdoor access is a genuine draw, with Ozark Greenways trails through the city and Table Rock Lake less than an hour south for students who want to get outside on weekends.
The historic downtown core has seen steady reinvestment and offers loft-style apartments and renovated flats above street-level businesses, with walkable access to restaurants, coffee shops, and the Jordan Valley Park trail.
The blocks surrounding Missouri State University along Grand and National streets have the highest concentration of student rentals and the most competitive rents in the city, with a mix of older houses converted to apartments and newer purpose-built complexes.
Closest to the Bryan University campus, this area offers affordable apartment complexes and duplexes along commercial corridors. It is more car-dependent but provides convenient access to South National Avenue shopping and dining.
Running the length of the city from north to south, the Glenstone corridor has consistent rental availability at moderate prices and sits on one of the city's busiest bus routes, making it a practical choice for students who rely on transit.
Here's what you need to know about getting around Springfield.
Springfield operates the City Utilities Transit bus system, which covers the main corridors but runs infrequently compared to larger metro systems. Most routes run on 30-minute to 60-minute headways, making transit practical for students with flexible schedules but frustrating for those with tight class times. The system is free for students at Missouri State University with a valid ID, and Bryan University students should verify current fare arrangements with the City Utilities website. Transit works reasonably well along major arteries like Glenstone Avenue and Campbell Avenue but leaves many residential side streets without service.
Downtown Springfield and the areas around Missouri State University are relatively walkable, with compact blocks and sidewalks in good condition. The Ozark Greenways trail network offers dedicated off-road cycling paths connecting several neighborhoods, and the Jordan Valley Park trail is a popular route for students commuting by bike. The South Nature Center Way area where Bryan University sits is less pedestrian-friendly and is bordered by commercial strips designed around car access. Students living within a mile of their campus can manage daily errands on foot or by bike, but the wider city is spread out and benefits from a vehicle.
Springfield is a car-friendly city and parking is generally easy and inexpensive compared to coastal metros. Street parking is available and mostly unmetered in residential neighborhoods, and most apartment complexes include at least one space per unit. The downtown core has metered parking and surface lots, but rates remain affordable. Students with vehicles will find that having a car opens up significantly more housing options and makes accessing the city's retail corridors and job market much easier.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Springfield is one of the more affordable mid-size cities in the Midwest. One-bedroom apartments typically rent for $700 to $1,000 per month, and shared two or three-bedroom units bring per-person costs down to $450 to $750. Groceries, dining out, and entertainment are all priced well below national averages, making Springfield a practical choice for students managing tight budgets.
Springfield is home to 6 universities, each with its own student housing market.
Bryan University Springfield is a small, career-focused institution on South Nature Center Way in south Springfield, near the city's commercial and residential fringe. The school specializes in healthcare, business, and technology programs designed to move students into the workforce on an accelerated timeline. With no…
View housing near Bryan University SpringfieldCox College is a small private health sciences institution in Springfield, Missouri, affiliated with CoxHealth, one of the region's leading hospital systems. Located on North Jefferson Ave near the Medical Mile corridor, the college offers nursing, respiratory therapy, and allied health programs with direct clinical…
View housing near Cox CollegeDrury University is a private liberal arts university in Springfield, Missouri, with strong programs in architecture, business, and the sciences. Springfield is a mid-sized, affordable city with a manageable rental market, and students who move off campus typically find homes, duplexes, and apartments within a short…
View housing near Drury UniversityEvangel University is a small Assemblies of God liberal arts university located in Springfield, Missouri, enrolling roughly 1,900 students and offering a close-knit academic environment rooted in Christian faith. Founded in 1955, the university sits on a compact campus on North Glenstone Avenue on the east side of…
View housing near Evangel UniversityMissouri State University is a large public university enrolling approximately 27,000 students in Springfield, Missouri, the third-largest city in the state. Founded in 1905 and originally established as a regional teachers college, MSU now offers more than 200 degree programs across colleges including business, health…
View housing near Missouri State UniversityOzarks Technical Community College is one of Missouri's largest community colleges, serving approximately 12,000 students across its main Springfield campus and several regional learning centers throughout the Ozarks. Founded in 1990, OTC has grown rapidly to meet the workforce and transfer education needs of southwest…
View housing near Ozarks Technical Community CollegeBrowse student housing near each Springfield-area university.