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Oxford/University, MS is a college town in Lafayette County, Mississippi, defined by the University of Mississippi (Ole Miss). The unincorporated community of University is effectively the Ole Miss campus itself, while Oxford, the surrounding city of about 25,000 residents, provides the restaurants, shops, and housing that make the area function as a cohesive college town. Oxford's historic Square is the cultural and social center of the community, with a dense mix of local restaurants, bars, and independently owned businesses that have made Oxford one of the most celebrated college towns in the South. The area is walkable and bikeable near campus and the Square, with a lively calendar anchored by SEC football game days.
Corridors along University Avenue and Molly Barr Road, with the highest concentration of student complexes and rental houses and short commutes.
Within a short walk of downtown dining and nightlife, among the most desirable for upperclassmen who want a social, walkable environment.
Along Old Taylor Road, a slightly quieter setting close to campus and the Square.
Newer suburban-style complexes with often lower rents and plentiful parking.
Here's what you need to know about getting around University.
The Oxford-University Transit (OUT) system provides free bus service connecting the Ole Miss campus to the Oxford Square and surrounding neighborhoods. OUT is the primary transit option for students without a car, with routes covering the main student corridors between campus and town. Service runs during the academic year on a published schedule, with more limited coverage during breaks and summers. Students relying on OUT should review the route map and schedule, as frequency is lower than transit in larger metro areas.
The Ole Miss campus is well-suited for walking and biking, with paths and sidewalks connecting academic buildings and residential areas toward the edge closest to the Square. The route from campus to the Oxford Square is approximately one mile and is a popular walk or bike ride for students who live nearby. Oxford's broader street network is generally bikeable, with relatively flat topography making cycling more practical than in hillier college cities. Some areas outside the core campus and Square corridor lack dedicated bike infrastructure.
Oxford provides ample parking in surface lots throughout the city, and most off-campus apartments and rental houses include dedicated parking spaces. The Ole Miss campus has student parking permits available through the university's parking services office, with lots at varying distances from academic buildings. Downtown Oxford and the Square have street parking and surface lots, though spaces near the Square on busy evenings and game days can be limited. A car is helpful for students living further from campus or needing access to services outside the immediate campus and Square corridor.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
University, MS is the unincorporated community that is effectively the Ole Miss campus itself, while Oxford is the surrounding incorporated city where most off-campus students live. For practical purposes, students treat them as a single integrated college community, with the Oxford Square serving as the social and commercial center for both.