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St. Petersburg College is a large public state college serving roughly 25,000 to 30,000 students across more than eight campuses throughout Pinellas County, Florida. Founded in 1927, SPC offers associate and bachelor degrees across a wide range of fields including nursing, business, and technology. The college is entirely commuter-based with no on-campus housing at any of its locations. Students rent throughout St. Petersburg, Clearwater, and the surrounding Pinellas County area, where the rental market is active and competitive.
St. Petersburg College does not have on-campus housing at any of its campuses, so there is no live-on requirement for freshmen or any other students. All students commute to class and must arrange their own off-campus living accommodations.
All SPC students live off campus by necessity. Students rent apartments, houses, and rooms throughout St. Petersburg, Clearwater, Largo, and other Pinellas County communities near whichever campus they attend most frequently. There are no academic standing or credit hour requirements governing housing because on-campus housing simply does not exist.
Students planning to start in August should begin their housing search between January and March to access the best selection of units at competitive prices. The rental market in the St. Petersburg and Clearwater area picks up significantly in spring, so waiting until May or June means fewer options and potentially higher rents.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with St. Petersburg College (SPC) before signing a lease.
Students who begin their search in January or February for an August move-in will have the widest selection of apartments and rental homes across Pinellas County. Starting early is especially important for students who want to live close to a specific SPC campus such as Clearwater, Gibbs, or the Health Education Center. Locking in a lease by March allows time to coordinate roommates, utilities, and transportation arrangements before the summer rush.
The St. Petersburg and Clearwater rental market sees its highest competition from March through June, driven by a combination of student demand, seasonal Florida residents, and general population growth in the Tampa Bay area. Units near the downtown St. Petersburg and Seminole campuses tend to go quickly during this period. Prospective renters who wait until April or May may find limited availability and face above-average pricing.
Students who begin searching in July or August can still find housing, but choices will be narrower and prices are often higher for remaining units. Furnished short-term rentals and room-for-rent listings on local platforms can serve as a bridge while searching for a longer-term lease. Connecting with SPC's student services office may surface community bulletin boards and peer roommate-matching resources.
Walkable with dining and proximity to the Gibbs and downtown campuses, though rents are among the highest in the city.
More affordable options with reasonable access to multiple campuses via car or bus.
Popular with students at the Health Education Center or Clearwater campus, with lower rents and easy highway access.
Good for students based at the Clearwater campus, with apartment complexes and older rental homes at moderate prices.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
No, SPC does not offer on-campus housing at any of its campuses. All students are required to arrange their own off-campus accommodations. The college is entirely commuter-based across all of its Pinellas County locations.
Other universities in St. Petersburg share a similar off-campus housing market.
University of South Florida St. Petersburg Campus is a regional campus of the University of South Florida located in the Bayboro Harbor area of downtown St. Petersburg, FL. The campus enrolls approximately 6,000 to 7,000 students and offers undergraduate and graduate programs in business, education, journalism, and the…
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