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Off-Campus Housing Near University of Northern Iowa
$350+/unit
Fees may applyThe Residences on College Hill
$450/unit
Fees may apply1009-1011 Olive St
$350/unit
Fees may apply1014 West 19th Street
$450/unit
Fees may apply1608 Linda Dr
$450/unit
Fees may apply1619-1621 Linda Dr
$475/unit
Fees may apply2116 Iowa St
$395+/unit
Fees may apply2304 Olive Street
$345/unit
Fees may apply2616 Olive #11-18
$450/unit
Fees may apply522-524 W 22nd St.Cedar Falls
$450/unit
Fees may apply906-908 Higby Dr
$425/unit
Fees may apply920 West 13th Street
$450/unit
Fees may apply941-943 Higby Drive
$460/unit
Fees may applyHillcrest Park Apartments-Student Housing
About Off-Campus Housing Near University of Northern Iowa
The University of Northern Iowa is a public comprehensive university located in Cedar Falls, Iowa, part of the Waterloo-Cedar Falls metropolitan area in northeastern Iowa. Founded in 1876, UNI enrolls approximately 10,000 to 12,000 students and is well known for its programs in education, business, and music. The university sits in Cedar Falls, a city of about 40,000 that borders the larger city of Waterloo, together forming a metro area of roughly 170,000 residents. UNI's campus is walkable and bikeable, and the surrounding Cedar Falls community offers a strong off-campus rental market for upperclassmen.
University of Northern Iowa Housing Requirements
Freshman Live-On Requirement
First-year students at the University of Northern Iowa are required to live in university residence halls unless they qualify for an exemption such as living with a parent or legal guardian within a specified distance of campus. This requirement is designed to support student success and campus engagement during the critical first year of college. Students should review the current UNI housing policy at the time of enrollment as specific details may change.
Off-Campus Eligibility
Students who have completed one year at UNI or who meet specific exemption criteria are eligible to seek off-campus housing in Cedar Falls. The rental market in Cedar Falls is active and student-friendly, with a range of apartments, houses, and shared units available near campus. Students planning to move off campus should give themselves adequate time to research neighborhoods and compare lease options before committing.
Lease Timing
Off-campus rentals in Cedar Falls typically run on annual leases beginning in August, aligned with UNI's academic calendar. Students searching for housing for the following fall should aim to begin looking by November or December of the current academic year. Units near campus and in popular neighborhoods fill quickly, and early searchers are much more likely to secure preferred properties.