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University of Central Missouri anchors about 9,959 students in Warrensburg, a small western Missouri city where campus sits in the heart of town. The 1,500-acre campus blends into downtown Warrensburg, so the historic square with its shops, cafes, and seasonal art festivals is a short walk from class. This is a true college town: athletics carry real weight, with the Mules and Jennies drawing crowds on football Saturdays and through basketball season. The pace is friendly and walkable. For the outdoors, Knob Noster State Park sits a few miles east with trails, fishing, and campgrounds. Most students walk or bike, since campus and downtown are close and flat, and Kansas City is an easy drive west for a bigger night out.
University of Central Missouri requires first and second year students under 21 to live on campus as part of a two-year residency requirement, with specified meal plans attached. Most freshmen at UCM are in the residence halls by default during their first two years in Warrensburg. Plan on campus housing through your sophomore year unless you qualify for an exemption.
Exemptions generally go to students who are 21 or older, married, living with a parent or guardian locally, or who meet other criteria the housing office reviews case by case. Most students move off campus as juniors, into the apartments and houses scattered close to campus and downtown. Landlords usually run a basic application and credit check, and students without their own income often need a parent as a guarantor.
Lease terms commonly run a full twelve months, so plan and budget for the summer months even though the school year is shorter. Many rentals near campus are older houses split among several students, so confirm how rooms and shared costs are divided before you sign. Always ask which utilities are included so there are no surprises after move-in.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with University of Central Missouri before signing a lease.
Warrensburg moves on a small-town college cycle, which means the close-in places get spoken for earlier than the overall supply might suggest. Plan to start looking in the late fall and winter for the next academic year. The better houses and apartments near campus get claimed first by returning students and friend groups. If you want a specific house with roommates, lock it in over the fall.
Classes start in mid-to-late August, so most leases turn over for an August move-in. Demand concentrates on the walkable streets right around campus and the downtown square, where supply is tightest. Returning students renewing their leases tighten the market further heading into spring. Most students at UCM who want a close-in spot have committed by this point.
The upside of a smaller market is that you are rarely shut out, since apartments and houses stay available into the spring and early summer, just not always the closest or newest ones. Summer subleases open up as students leave for the season. The campus off-campus listings and local rental boards are the easiest way to track what is open. Late deciders and transfers can typically still find something close to the start of the term.
The streets right around campus hold the bulk of student rentals, walkable older houses and apartments that fill up first. Closer-in spots trade space for the convenience of walking to class.
Just a short walk from campus, downtown mixes apartments above the square with quick access to shops, cafes, and seasonal festivals. It suits students who want to be near the action.
The residential blocks a few blocks out offer more space and quieter streets, often in single-family homes that groups split. They work well for roommate groups who want more room.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A room in a shared house or apartment near campus usually runs $350-$600/month per person, which is on the lower end for a college town. Older houses split among several students land cheapest, while newer apartments sit higher. Budget another $40-$90/month for utilities depending on the building and season.