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St. Catherine University, known as St. Kate's, is a private Catholic liberal arts university in the Mac-Groveland neighborhood of St. Paul, Minnesota. Founded by the Sisters of St. Joseph of Carondelet in 1905, the university primarily serves women undergraduates while also admitting men and women in graduate programs. With 3,000 to 4,000 students, the university is recognized for programs in nursing, education, social work, and the health sciences. The campus sits in one of St. Paul's most well-maintained residential neighborhoods, near Grand Avenue's dining and retail corridor. The Twin Cities rental market is competitive and moves quickly, making early action important for students planning to live off campus.
St. Catherine University requires all traditional first-year undergraduate students to live in university residence halls during their first year on campus. This requirement is designed to support student transition, community building, and academic success during the first year of college. Students who believe they qualify for an exemption, such as those commuting from a parent or guardian's home within a specified distance, should apply through the Office of Residential Life before the published deadline.
After completing the required freshman year of on-campus residency, students are typically eligible to live off campus starting in their sophomore year. St. Catherine's residential neighborhoods offer a strong supply of rental housing, from classic St. Paul duplexes and fourplexes to larger apartment buildings and shared single-family homes. Students should confirm their eligibility and notify the housing office of their intent to live off campus according to the university's stated procedures.
St. Paul's rental market is active and competitive, particularly in the Mac-Groveland and Highland Park neighborhoods closest to campus. Students who plan to live off campus should begin their search in November or December to have the best access to quality units for the following fall. Lease signings in desirable areas frequently occur in January and February, so students who wait until spring may find the best options already taken. Beginning early and having a co-signer or guarantor identified in advance will ease the application process.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with St Catherine University before signing a lease.
Students who want to live in the neighborhoods immediately surrounding the St. Kate's campus, particularly Mac-Groveland and Highland Park, should begin their housing search in November or December. These neighborhoods are consistently in demand among St. Kate's students, University of St. Thomas students, and young professionals, so the best units are claimed well before spring. Starting in late fall gives students time to tour multiple properties, compare lease terms, and make thoughtful decisions rather than rushing. Identifying potential roommates early also helps, since many of the most desirable rentals in the area are multi-bedroom homes and duplexes best suited to shared occupancy.
The peak search and signing period for St. Paul rentals near St. Kate's runs from January through March, when most landlords make their units available for the following academic year. Mac-Groveland and Highland Park are two of St. Paul's most desirable residential neighborhoods, and properties in these areas typically lease quickly once listed. Students competing for the same units as University of St. Thomas students, who are also searching during this window, should be prepared to move quickly and have their documentation ready. Waiting until April or later significantly narrows the available inventory in these prime neighborhoods.
Students who have not found housing by April or May still have realistic paths forward, particularly in St. Paul neighborhoods slightly further from campus such as Summit-University, Como, or the Cathedral Hill area. The Twin Cities rental market is large enough that new listings continue to appear through the summer as leases turn over. Metro Transit's Green Line light rail and local bus routes provide reasonable access to campus from several St. Paul neighborhoods, making a slightly longer commute workable for students without cars. Furnished short-term rentals and sublets are also available during the summer for students who need a bridge option.
The residential neighborhoods closest to campus, with classic St. Paul duplexes, fourplexes, and shared homes within walking or biking distance.
Running through Mac-Groveland, with easy access to coffee shops, restaurants, and local retail students use throughout the year.
North of downtown St. Paul, with slightly lower rents and good Metro Transit bus access to campus.
For students comfortable with a bus or light rail commute, the Green Line corridor connects St. Paul to Minneapolis.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes, traditional first-year undergraduates are required to live in university residence halls during their first year at St. Kate's. Exemptions are available for students commuting from a parent or guardian's home within a qualifying distance, subject to approval. Students seeking an exemption should contact the Office of Residential Life before the application deadline.
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