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The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley, or UTRGV, enrolls about 32,441 Vaqueros across the Rio Grande Valley, with its main campus in Edinburg near the southern tip of Texas. The Valley is warm year-round, deeply Mexican-American in culture, and shaped by the river that gives the school its name. Edinburg centers on a walkable downtown and courthouse square, and the city leans into its identity with festivals, parades, and the long-running UFO Festival. The Edinburg Scenic Wetlands and World Birding Center sits on city parkland with more than 300 recorded bird species. Vaqueros athletics anchor school spirit. The Valley is spread out and car-oriented, with Edinburg flowing right into McAllen, so most students drive, though the blocks along University Drive stay walkable.
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley requires certain first-year students to live on campus: specifically, recent high school graduates who do not live in the local Valley counties of Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, or Willacy. A meal plan is required for freshmen who do live in the Edinburg halls. Students from those counties are encouraged but not required to live on campus.
Because so many UTRGV students are local, many freshmen commute or rent from the start. The off-campus scene is a mix of student complexes near campus and ordinary Valley apartments and houses. Edinburg flows right into McAllen, so widening your search a few miles opens up a lot more options.
When you rent, expect a standard Texas application with income or guarantor verification and a deposit. Heat is the year-round constant here, so air conditioning and how electric is billed matter a lot. Read leases for utility caps, and consider sharing, since splitting a unit with roommates stretches your money in a market with plenty of family-oriented housing.
Housing policies change frequently. Always verify current requirements directly with The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley before signing a lease.
Edinburg's leasing pace is steadier and less frantic than a giant football town, partly because so many UTRGV students are local commuters. Even so, the purpose-built student complexes near campus do prelease, with the best units and floor plans going from late winter into spring for the following fall. Aim to tour and sign from around February through June for an August move-in. Line up roommates early for the student complexes to secure the best floor plans.
The best units and floor plans go from late winter into spring, so February through June is the prime window for an August move-in. Proximity to campus along University Drive is the thing that gets snapped up. Classes start in late August, and waiting until then usually means commuting from farther out in the Valley. Regular Valley apartments turn over year-round, giving more flexibility during this stretch.
Waiting until classes start usually means commuting from farther out in the Valley. Spring and summer bring sublets and lease takeovers when students graduate or head home, which helps if you're searching late. Because Edinburg flows into McAllen, widening your search a few miles opens up a lot more options for late searchers. Regular Valley apartments that turn over year-round are the easiest last-minute fallback.
The University District along University Drive and Schunior, right by campus, is the most walkable and student-heavy area. It is the top choice for students who want to live close to class.
Downtown Edinburg around the courthouse square has older, walkable blocks and everyday housing with local character. It suits students who want a central, walkable base.
McAllen, right next door, widens your options with more complexes just a short drive from campus. It is a strong option for students who want more inventory and newer apartments.
Common questions from students searching for housing.
The Valley runs reasonable for Texas. A room in a shared apartment or student complex near campus usually lands around $450-$700/month per person, while a one-bedroom on your own often runs about $800-$1,000/month. Older units and places farther from campus sit lower. Budget another $50-$130/month for utilities, since year-round air conditioning drives the electric bill here.