The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near UW-Madison (October 2026)

1. 1.

   

   The Regent Apartments

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   4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: The Regent Apartments stands out for its genuinely warm and attentive front desk team that makes a real difference in residents' daily lives. Students and families alike consistently praise the staff's kindness and willingness to help, especially when navigating complex lease questions or just walking through the door. As one visitor put it, "Eveanna was very kind upon walking in, great staff here." The rooms offer solid value for the price, and the team's genuine care creates an approachable vibe that matters when you're far from home.

   $1000/person/mo
2. 2.

   

   Grand Central

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   4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: Grand Central earns its spot for location and longevity residents who've stayed for years rave about being within walking distance of nearly everything on and off campus. The management and maintenance teams consistently earn praise for being respectful and helpful through lease complications and day-to-day needs. As one long-term resident shared, "The location is absolutely amazing for getting around campus and the city as you are within walking distance of nearly everything." If you want to be in the heart of the action without sacrificing comfort, this is where people actually stick around.

   $1100/person/mo
3. 3.

   

   Hidden Creek Residences

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   3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: Hidden Creek Residences shines for its thoughtful management, energy-efficient design, and genuinely peaceful community atmosphere that residents actively protect. The office team, especially Alyanna and Tracy, earn consistent praise for professionalism and dedication to the community's wellbeing, while maintenance requests get rapid responses. As one satisfied resident reflected, "Easily the best apartment I have lived in. Peaceful atmosphere and neighbors, reasonable rent, well maintained property, responsive staff." This is the kind of place where people stay for years and leave only when life pulls them elsewhere.

   $1289/person/mo
4. 4.

   

   The Rive Madison

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   3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: The Rive Madison's overall ranking reflects a property with potential that falls short on execution and follow-through. Residents report recurring maintenance issues from TVs and dishwashers to laundry and doors that suggest construction quality and attention to detail need improvement. Beyond the maintenance struggles, lease administration has been problematic, with at least one resident unable to secure keys on move-in despite signing a contract and paying rent. The disconnect between management responsiveness and resident experience here is significant enough that it undercuts what could otherwise be an appealing location.

   $1299/person/mo
5. 5.

   

   Yugo Madison Lux

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   3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: Yugo Madison Lux stands out for delivering modern, spacious living with genuine community energy near campus. Students consistently praise the wide rooms, responsive maintenance team, and regular resident events that actually build connection. The building itself is undeniably beautiful and well-maintained, though the on-site gym runs small and ongoing construction can test your patience. As one resident noted, "Maintenance is responsive and the apartment was good for a college student," capturing the reliable day-to-day experience most people find here.

   $915/person/mo
6. 6.

   

   Oak Tree Campus Apartments

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   3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: Oak Tree Campus Apartments has the bones of a solid option but falls short on the everyday living experience that makes student housing feel worth it. The laundry situation is genuinely frustrating just two washers and dryers per floor serving 50+ people, with premium pricing that adds up fast. One resident was blunt about the trade-off: "Spend the extra $100 to live somewhere else, trust me." If you're weighing this against other nearby options, the inconvenience and cost rarely justify the savings.

   $1800/person/mo
7. 7.

   

   Aberdeen Apartments

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   3.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: Aberdeen Apartments delivers real perks downtown views, working AC, and thoughtful amenities but the price tag doesn't always match the value, especially as management transitions have created inconsistency. When the team clicks, like with staff members Hannah and Liz, the leasing experience feels genuinely welcoming and professional. As one resident shared, "Hannah especially has been exceptional with communication and updating us on the status of renovations," though others report that experience varies significantly depending on who's managing your lease. The building's potential shines through, but consistency matters.

   $1049/person/mo
8. 8.

   

   ōLiv Madison

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   2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: ōLiv Madison offers sleek amenities and genuinely caring staff members, but Core Spaces' management approach leaves many residents frustrated with the gap between cost and actual experience. When you connect with someone like Colette in the leasing office, the warmth and professionalism feel real "She was super helpful, organized, and handled everything so professionally while still being easy to talk to." The problem is that promise doesn't always translate to daily living: thin walls, inconsistent maintenance, and amenities that sit closed or neglected undercut the premium price you're paying.

   $875/person/mo
9. 9.

   

   Humbucker Apartments

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   2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

   why it ranked: Humbucker Apartments struggles to deliver the basics that make student housing livable near UW-Madison. Residents consistently report infrastructure failures broken elevators, malfunctioning vending machines, and laundry equipment from decades past that costs money but rarely works paired with management that simply doesn't respond to problems. The thin walls and shared facilities create a frustrating living environment, and financial disputes with the landlord add real stress on top of it all. As one resident summed it up, "Management doesn't really care either, not understanding at all and don't help you out ever."

   $2359/person/mo
10. 10.

    

    Lark at Randall

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    2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Lark at Randall charges premium rent but has lost the trust of its residents through aggressive fee practices and inconsistent management. Students report sudden, unexplained damage charges in the hundreds of dollars, frequent unannounced apartment inspections, and a management team that prioritizes collecting fees over actually supporting tenants. The shift to new management has made things worse, not better residents who lived here before notice the difference immediately. One long-term resident captured the frustration: "They are rude and try their best to squeeze the last money for the residents."

    $1049/person/mo
11. 11.

    

    Palisade Apartments

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    1.8(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Palisade Apartments offers nice units but pairs them with a front desk staff that won't help you and a management team that exploits lease signings for profit. Residents face chronic maintenance failures elevators down for weeks, water outages, ceiling damage while the front desk deflects rather than solves problems. The building's niceness doesn't matter when you can't get basic services, and the fine print hides terms that favor the landlord over students. As one resident put it, "The apartments are nice but overpriced with TERRIBLE managament."

    $1050/person/mo
12. 12.

    

    Lark at Kohl

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    1.8(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Lark at Kohl's management team is unwilling to engage with residents on serious issues, defaulting instead to dismissive repetition of their own policies. When a resident brought a legitimate legal concern to the table, management refused to have the conversation a red flag for anyone expecting professional support during their lease. Communication is rude and unprofessional, leaving students without recourse when real problems arise.

    $799/person/mo

Walk times are door-to-door to UW-Madison campus. Rent is per person, per month.