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Off-Campus Housing Near University of Minnesota Duluth
About Off-Campus Housing Near University of Minnesota Duluth
The University of Minnesota Duluth is a regional campus of the University of Minnesota system, located on a scenic ridge overlooking Lake Superior in Duluth, Minnesota. UMD enrolls approximately 9,000 to 11,000 students and is known for strong programs in engineering, business, and the liberal arts. The campus has a distinct identity from the Twin Cities flagship, with a tight-knit student community and easy access to outdoor recreation on the lake and surrounding forests. Duluth is a port city of about 90,000 people built on dramatic hillsides at the western tip of Lake Superior. Students drawn to a scenic smaller-city environment and outdoor culture are well-suited to UMD.
University of Minnesota Duluth Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
The University of Minnesota Duluth requires first-year students to live in on-campus housing for their first academic year. This requirement applies to all incoming freshmen who are enrolled full-time and live outside a defined commuting distance. The university operates several residence halls on campus, and students submit housing applications through the UMD Housing office after accepting admission.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Students who have completed at least one academic year at UMD, or who are transfer students with sufficient credits, are eligible to live off campus. Students with documented financial hardship or other qualifying circumstances may petition the Housing office for an exemption from the freshman live-on requirement. The off-campus rental market in east Duluth and downtown offers a variety of options for eligible students.
Lease Timing
The off-campus market near UMD begins to move earlier than many comparable college rental markets, with landlords in the UMD-adjacent neighborhoods listing units as early as November or December. Popular options are often claimed by January or February for May or August move-in dates. Students should start their search in November of their first year if they intend to live off campus the following fall.