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University of Nebraska Omaha keeps about 15,892 Mavericks across two campuses in Nebraska's biggest city, a working river town that's quietly become a real place to be a student. The Dodge campus sits near Elmwood Park and its trails, while the Aksarben campus drops you into Aksarben Village, a walkable district with a public green and a Saturday farmers market. Hockey is the heartbeat here: when the Mavs skate at Baxter Arena, fans toss a fish on the ice after the first goal, a tradition nobody questions anymore. Homecoming brings yard games and music, and nearby neighborhoods like Dundee and Benson run on local arts and old houses. UNO hands students free Metro transit passes, so getting downtown doesn't require a car.
University of Nebraska Omaha does not force first-year students into the dorms the way many schools do. On-campus housing exists and fills up, but completing a housing application does not guarantee a spot. Plenty of freshmen commute from home or live off campus from day one.
Because UNO has no broad live-on mandate, students are free to rent near the Dodge or Aksarben campus right away. Most Omaha landlords run a credit and background check, and students without income or credit history typically need a guarantor or co-signer. The off-campus scene gets busy early as a result.
Watch the lease length before you sign, since some complexes near campus push 12-month terms even when you only need nine. A few older houses in Dundee or Benson are owned by small landlords who handle everything themselves, so read who is responsible for snow removal and lawn care. Omaha winters are real, and that clause matters more than you would think.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with University of Nebraska at Omaha before signing a lease.
Omaha runs on a slower clock than the big SEC college towns, which works in your favor. Preleasing for the larger student complexes near campus picks up in late winter and spring, so January through March is the sweet spot for first pick near the Dodge or Aksarben campus. Students who want a place with character should keep checking the standalone houses in Dundee and Benson, which turn over later. Starting early gives you the widest set of walkable options.
Demand concentrates from late winter into spring as students lock down the best near-campus units. The larger student complexes prelease first, and the well-located houses follow as roommate plans firm up. Classes start in late August, and the closer you get to move-in, the thinner the good options near campus get. Touring in this window keeps you competitive for the most convenient spots.
If you are searching in July or August, widen your radius a few neighborhoods out and lean on UNO's free Metro pass to close the gap. Spring sublets pop up too, mostly from students leaving for internships or graduating in May. Those subleases can be a solid bridge if you land in town mid-year. Late movers usually trade some proximity for availability.
A newer mixed-use district by the Scott campus with a public green, the farmers market, and the most walkable setup.
Leafy streets and historic houses just north, popular with students who want character over new construction and who tend to pay a bit more for it.
An artsy, music-driven pocket that runs more relaxed on price and draws a creative crowd.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
A room in a shared apartment or house near campus usually runs $600-$950/month per person, depending on the neighborhood. Older houses in Benson and Midtown sit at the lower end, while newer buildings around Aksarben Village run higher. Budget another $40-$120/month for utilities, since older Omaha houses can get pricey to heat in winter.