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The University of Mississippi, known as Ole Miss, is the flagship public university of Mississippi, located in Oxford, Mississippi. Ole Miss enrolls approximately 21,000 students and is known for programs in law, business, journalism, pharmacy, and the liberal arts. The campus is located in an unincorporated community called University, surrounded by and functionally integrated with the town of Oxford, a vibrant college town of about 25,000 residents. Oxford's historic Square is the center of restaurants, bars, and retail for students and the broader community. Ole Miss competes in the SEC and is known for its strong athletics tradition and the Grove tailgating culture.
The University of Mississippi requires all first-year students to live in university-managed housing for their first academic year unless they are granted an exemption. Exemptions are available for students who are 21 or older, married, living with a parent or legal guardian within a defined commuting distance, or who have dependents in their care. First-year students apply for on-campus housing through the Ole Miss Student Housing office after admittance.
Students who have completed their first year at Ole Miss are free to move off campus beginning with their sophomore year. The off-campus rental market in Oxford is large and well-developed, with a wide range of apartment complexes, houses, and townhomes catering to the student population. Many students move off campus after freshman year and find Oxford an affordable and convenient place to rent.
The Oxford off-campus rental market operates largely on an August lease start cycle. The best apartments and houses, particularly those closest to campus and the Square, begin to be listed and leased as early as September or October of the prior year. Students who want to live in the most sought-after areas should begin searching in the fall semester of their first year, as waiting until spring means competing for a reduced pool of inventory.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with University of Mississippi before signing a lease.
Students who begin searching for off-campus housing in Oxford as early as September or October of their first year position themselves to choose from the widest selection of apartments, houses, and townhomes. Landlords and property managers near campus and around the Square list their best units well before the spring semester, anticipating strong demand. Signing a lease in October, November, or December for an August move-in is common among Ole Miss students who prioritize location and quality.
The peak demand period for Oxford off-campus housing runs from late October through January. During this window, the most popular apartments near campus and the Square are secured, and competition can be significant for larger units or well-located houses. Students searching during peak season should be prepared to act decisively, have their documents and a guarantor ready, and tour multiple properties before making a decision.
Students who begin their search in February or March will find a reduced but not empty market in Oxford. Properties further from campus, in neighborhoods on the outskirts of town, and in apartment complexes with higher turnover may still have availability. Summer sublets and lease takeovers are a regular feature of the Oxford market, and student social media groups and Ole Miss off-campus housing resources can help surface late-availability options.
University Avenue, Molly Barr Road, and corridors off Anderson Road, with the largest concentration of student apartments and rental houses.
Walkable from campus and surrounded by popular student housing, ideal for students who want to be near nightlife and dining.
Along Old Taylor Road, a mix of apartments and houses at varying rents, popular with upperclassmen and graduate students.
Newer apartment complexes on the edges of town, often with lower rents and plentiful parking.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
Yes. The University of Mississippi requires first-year students to live in university-managed housing unless they qualify for an exemption based on age (21 or older), marital status, living with a parent within commuting distance, or having dependents. Students who complete their first year are free to move off campus beginning sophomore year.