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The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near UWM (October 2026)

University of Wisconsin-MilwaukeeMilwaukee, WIUpdated Monthly

By the FMP Data Team · Reviewed October 1, 2026

16 properties reviewed
75+ reviews analyzed
updated October 2026
independentno pay-to-rank
the short answer

MODERN LIVING leads our October 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near UWM with a 4.4/5 FMP Score, followed by Ascent MKE and Park at 1824 Student Apartments. Across the 16 properties reviewed, students keep coming back to amenities & shared spaces and management & maintenance: the overall signals that move a property up this ranking. Browse all off-campus housing near University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee for every option.

  • winnerMODERN LIVING
  • FMP Score range2.6–5.0 / 5
  • avg walk0 min to campus
  • rent range$595–$4868 /person
the ranking

The 12 Best Overall Student Apartments Near UWM

Sorted by FMP Score from verified UWM reviews, high to low. Scores reflect current UWM reviews only.

  1. MODERN LIVING
    4.4(6 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: MODERN LIVING earns its spot as a top overall choice by combining an unbeatable close-to-campus location with thoughtful design and staff who actually show up for you. The building features huge glass windows, a sleek gym, and spacious bedrooms that make the place feel premium, while the proximity to the AMU means you're just a three-minute walk from campus life. Residents rave about Mary in maintenance for her speed and kindness, and management is communicative when bigger issues arise, creating a sense that your concerns matter. As one resident put it, "The best building near campus! Glass windows are huge, gym is aesthetic & bedrooms are big." When location, aesthetics, and genuine care all align, you get something special.

    $1000/person/mo
  2. Ascent MKE
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Ascent MKE stands out as the overall best near UWM because its staff genuinely makes you feel at home from day one. Residents consistently praise the warmth and professionalism of the concierge team Jen and Scott are named repeatedly for going above and beyond with questions and requests while the building itself is clean, affordable, and packed with great amenities. The community is also notably dog-friendly and feels safe, which matters when you're settling into a new place. As one resident put it, "The staff here is absolutely amazing. They will make every effort to help with anything you ask." This is the kind of place where you're not just renting an apartment; you're joining a community that actually cares.

    $2217/person/mo
  3. Park at 1824 Student Apartments
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Park at 1824 has earned its ranking by proving that good management and communication can completely transform a living experience. The new leadership team especially Lane and Eric has turned things around with responsive, efficient service that residents genuinely appreciate and want to recommend to friends. Maintenance and staff quality are consistently praised, and the overall vibe is one of a complex that listens and acts. As one resident said, "New management definitely did a good job turning things around here," and that kind of positive momentum is exactly what makes a place feel like home.

    $599/person/mo
  4. Colonial Court Apartments
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Colonial Court wins on the strength of a genuinely invested community and staff that treats maintenance and tenant care as a priority. The neighborhood is quiet and well-maintained, with convenient access to shops and parks, but what really sets it apart is the responsiveness residents report lightning-fast maintenance responses and ongoing building improvements like hallway refinishing and new outdoor spaces. The office team guides you smoothly through move-in, and long-term tenants consistently report feeling welcomed and at home. As one resident shared, "The maintenance team is CRAZY fast when it comes to responding to work orders, and our apartment is beautifully updated." This is a place where you can genuinely settle in for the long haul.

    $950/person/mo
  5. The Ritz on Kilbourn
    5.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Ritz on Kilbourn stands out as the go-to spot for students who want to live solo near UWM without sacrificing community or support. Management, maintenance, and cleaning staff all earn consistent praise for being genuinely pleasant and responsive to requests. The building itself is well-maintained and sits in one of the best locations on campus, plus residents consistently mention feeling safe here. As one long-term resident put it, "Everyone who I was in contact with was very pleasant to deal with and answered any requests or questions that I had in a very quick manner."

    $595/person/mo
  6. Alverno Pool Apartments
    4.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Alverno Pool Apartments wins points for having a management team that actually cares especially property manager Sylvia, who residents praise for proactive communication and getting things done fast. Maintenance requests get handled quickly even for non-urgent issues, and the apartment manager is consistently described as helpful and genuinely nice to work with. As one resident noted, "She submitted a couple work orders and she reached out to touch base with me. She is always great with communication and gets the job done."

    $1110/person/mo
  7. St. James Court Historic Apartments
    4.4(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: St. James Court Historic Apartments offers something rare: genuine character and history in a beautifully maintained 1903 building that's on the National Register of Historic Places. Residents love the vintage tall ceilings, free radiator heat in winter, and the weekly hallway cleaning that keeps common areas nice. The building attracts respectful neighbors and offers convenient in-unit laundry options, though you'll want to know that summer heat requires your own AC and weekend noise from an adjacent wedding venue can be an issue during peak season. As one satisfied resident shared, "11 peaceful months so far on 5th floor with no maintenance issues. Nice hallway cleaners weekly. Respectful neighbors. Love the vintage tall ceilings."

    $1750/person/mo
  8. The Buckler by 3L Living
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: The Buckler by 3L Living has undergone a real transformation under new management, and residents are noticing the difference. Property manager Misty has earned genuine praise for taking complaints seriously, responding quickly to fix problems, and going above and beyond to help residents settle in smoothly. The building is clean, the location works well for students, and management is now actually responsive and helpful a major shift from the frustrations some earlier residents experienced. As one recent resident put it, "Recently, we have been fortunate to get a new property manager, Misty, who has completely changed my experience living here in a very positive way."

    $1295/person/mo
  9. Marquette 2
    4.2(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Marquette 2 stands out for delivering the kind of landlord-tenant relationship that actually works. Grant's hands-on management style means clear communication, quick answers, and genuine care about your living situation, plus utilities are bundled into the rent so you're not guessing at bills. Students consistently praise the spacious units, solid pricing, and on-site parking that keeps you from hunting for street spots. As one long-term resident put it, they "left feeling extremely satisfied" after two years thanks to "amazing management that worked with us every step of the way." It's the kind of place where you can actually reach someone when you need them.

    $995/person/mo
  10. Johnson Legacy Apartments
    4.0(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Johnson Legacy Apartments appeals to students who prioritize security and comfort in a quieter setting. The building offers a secured entrance and elevator access, and residents consistently highlight the spacious floor plans and friendly office staff who make the move-in process smooth. The neighborhood vibe draws praise for being calm and walkable, which matters when you're balancing classes and a social life. As one resident noted, "It's a very nice place very spacious and secure," capturing what makes this complex a solid choice for students seeking peace of mind alongside affordability.

    $775/person/mo
  11. Playbill Flats
    2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Playbill Flats wins on location and value, sitting just a 20-minute walk from the lake with excellent restaurants nearby and rent that won't drain your account. The building's age shows in its quirks, but when management and maintenance are on their game, residents feel genuinely supported and cared for. Rick, the maintenance standout, earns specific praise for being fast and responsive to repair requests. One satisfied resident summed it up: "The management is amazing, so nice, accommodating and very responsive," though it's worth noting that HVAC reliability can be inconsistent depending on the season and your luck.

    $1135/person/mo
  12. Edge on North
    2.6(5 reviews)FMP Score

    why it ranked: Edge on North has the bones of a welcoming community, with staff who genuinely connect with residents and even embrace pet-friendly living. The maintenance team earns consistent respect for actually showing up and caring about the space. That said, the experience here is deeply uneven management's responsiveness and accountability vary wildly, and move-out charges have caught residents off guard. As one undergrad reflected on their final year, "The staff is amazing, so incredibly friendly and accommodating," but others report the opposite, making this a property where your experience hinges heavily on timing and which staff members you interact with.

    $1575/person/mo

The Full Ranking, One Table

Sort by any column. The rank stays with the property.
The full ranking of every listed apartment, sortable by any column.
1MODERN LIVING4.4/56–$1000/mo
2Ascent MKE5.0/55–$2217/mo
3Park at 1824 Student Apartments5.0/55–$599/mo
4Colonial Court Apartments5.0/55–$950/mo
5The Ritz on Kilbourn5.0/55–$595/mo
6Alverno Pool Apartments4.6/55–$1110/mo
7St. James Court Historic Apartments4.4/55–$1750/mo
8The Buckler by 3L Living4.2/55–$1295/mo
9Marquette 24.2/55–$995/mo
10Johnson Legacy Apartments4.0/55–$775/mo
11Playbill Flats2.6/55–$1135/mo
12Edge on North2.6/55–$1575/mo

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

FMP award criteria

How We Ranked These Apartments

1

Ranked by the FMP Score

FMP Score, high to low. That’s the whole ranking. It’s our overall measure of a property, combining verified review scores with signals reviews miss, like how current the listing is kept and how responsive management is. Ties go to the property with more verified reviews.

2

Who Makes the List

Every property near UWM can appear, but it takes a minimum number of verified reviews before we score and rank it. Properties under that bar sit below every ranked property and move up automatically as reviews come in.

3

How We Calculate the FMP Score

The FMP Score blends the social, management, and quality scores from verified reviews with signals that a place is actively and well run, like how up to date its listing is kept and how consistently management responds to residents. It’s built to surface genuinely well-run properties, not just the highest raw review average.

by the numbers

What Makes an Apartment ‘well-rounded’ Near UWM

We ran every verified overall review for UWM-area apartments through theme analysis. These are the themes students bring up most when a place feels well-rounded, by share of the reviews that mention them.

responsive management and staff
11%
maintenance and repair delays
10%
cleanliness and safety issues
8%

Based on AI analysis of verified UWM overall reviews, refreshed monthly. Percentages show the share of reviews that mention each theme; most reviews mention more than one. See our complete UWM review data →

faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best overall student apartment near UWM?

MODERN LIVING leads our October 2026 ranking of the 12 Best Overall student apartments near UWM with a 4.4/5 FMP Score, followed by Ascent MKE and Park at 1824 Student Apartments.

How is this ranking calculated?

This list is ranked by one number: each property's overall score from verified reviews. Students rate a property's overall 1 to 5, and we average those scores, counting recent reviews more heavily than older ones. No self-reported data from landlords.

What makes an apartment the best overall?

The best overall apartments score highly across everything students rate (social scene, management, and unit quality), not just one. This ranking uses each property's overall rating from verified reviews.

How often is this ranking updated?

Monthly. We re-pull verified reviews and re-score every property at the start of each month, so the order reflects the most recent 24 months of student feedback. The “updated” date at the top of the page shows the latest refresh.

How many reviews does a property need to be included?

There's a minimum number of verified reviews to rank by score, and we don't publish the exact bar so it can't be gamed. Properties under it still appear, below every qualified property and ordered by review count, so a 5.0 from one review never outranks a 4.5 from thirty. Once a property collects enough reviews, it moves into the scored ranking automatically.

Is this ranking independent, or can properties pay to rank higher?

It's fully independent. There's no pay-to-rank. Position is set by verified reviews alone. Property managers can't buy placement, remove reviews, or influence the score.

for property managers

Made the List? Get Your FMP Award Badge.

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Find My Place Award2026
11st place

Best Overall

student apartments near UWM

Verified & independentUniversity of Wisconsin-Milwaukee · Milwaukee, WI