Student Housing State College, PA

A major city in Pennsylvania, and one of the most important student cities in the country, State College is a classic American student city which is known for its education industry! Every year, thousands of students apply to these reputed universities, but only a few are able to make the cut.

One of the main problems that these students face even before landing in the United States is finding the right student housing in State College. This is where University Living comes to the rescue of students and helps them get the best student property at the best prices. With over a decade’s experience in the industry, University Living has helped millions of students find their home away from home.

In order to boost convenience and provide students with better options in terms of the type of properties, student housing in USA is divided into 2 basic types, namely: Student Housing and Private Apartments. Both have their own pros and cons and therefore are suitable for different sets of people with different budgets. Student housing is further divided into 4 types, which have been detailed in brief below:

Student Housing

Also popularly called PBSAs (Purpose-Built Student Accommodations), these are special properties that are made specifically for student housing in State College. The best part about these properties is that their rent includes major utility bills like electricity, water, gas, and Wi-Fi bills, along with several facilities that students might require while pursuing their education in the city. To cater to the needs of students with all sorts of economic background, PBSAs are further divided into 4 types, which also have been explained briefly below:

• Shared Apartments: These are the most affordable type of student rooms in State College. Students get to share a room with 2/3 other occupants along with a shared washroom, living room, and kitchen. Since everything is shared, the per-person costs turn out to be incredibly low.

• En-Suite Accommodations: These are the most preferred type of student apartments in State College. In these properties, students get to have an entire room to themselves that is attached to a washroom and comes with a shared living room and kitchen.

• Non En-Suite Accommodations: These properties are very similar to En-Suite Accommodations. The only difference between the two is that, unlike its counterpart, a Non-En-Suite Accommodation does not come with an attached washroom. Students get a personal room, but the washroom, living room, and kitchen are shared among all occupants of the property.

• Studio Apartments: These are the most comfortable and private student apartments in State College. In these properties, students get to have an entire unit to themselves that comes with a bed, bathroom, and a kitchen.

Private Apartments

Private Apartments are the most comfortable type of student properties in State College. These are not a part of PBSAs and are leased out on an individual basis as independent units. Students who book these properties get the entire apartment with 2/3 rooms with attached washrooms, a living room, and a kitchen to themselves. Students must note that the rent for these properties does not include any utility bills like electricity, water, or gas. Every expense is on top of the rent you already pay. These properties are suited for both university students and working professionals.

State College, Pennsylvania, is a classic American college town nestled in the rolling mountains of central Pennsylvania. It is best known as the home of Penn State University, one of the largest and most spirited universities in the country, where over 40,000 students create a lively, youthful atmosphere. Unlike big cities, State College feels safe, walkable, and community-focused, with a charming downtown filled with bookstores, coffee shops, pizza joints, and creameries, including the famous Penn State Berkey Creamery, which sells the best ice cream on the planet. The cost of living is moderate, and the town experiences all four seasons, with cold, snowy winters and beautiful, green summers.

On football Saturdays, the town transforms into a sea of blue and white as 100,000 fans fill Beaver Stadium, making it one of the loudest and most exciting places in college sports. Beyond game days, residents enjoy hiking in nearby Mount Nittany, exploring local bike trails, and attending concerts and performances at the university's arts center. State College may be surrounded by farmland and forests, far from any major city, but it offers a tight-knit, friendly, and energetic community.

When it comes to top student housing in Pennsylvania, there are a plethora of options to choose from. These properties are located close to the city center, and some of the top universities in the city, and everything from a needle to a bed can be found near these properties. The rent for these properties ranges between $599 and $1179.

• The Villas at Happy Village

• The Valley

• The Bryn

• Alight State College

• Tremont Student Living

• The Yards at Old State

• The View

• Rise at State College

Note: Book the top student properties in State College at never-before-seen prices, and unlock special discounts now!

State College is one of the most affordable cities to live in Pennsylvania in terms of cost of living. The city has everything in every budget for everyone. Although the cost of living is a personal concept that is determined by the lifestyle a student lives and the sort of expenses they incur, if students plan their budget accordingly and manage their expenses properly, they can expect to spend a month in State College in well under $1150. The table below highlights some of the major expenses that students might undertake while studying in the city.

Note: Students must note that these figures are tentative and are subject to change based on their actual expenses and lifestyle. If students wish to have a better estimate of the cost of living in State College, they can use University Living’s exclusive cost-of-living calculator!

State College is one of the most underrated towns in Pennsylvania. With a total population of just 80,000, the city has a lot of open spaces, and the neighborhoods are expansive, green, and plush. Although students can stay at any place that they wish to stay in, there are several neighborhoods that already have an established student community. This ensures that students can reach out to their peers in case of any emergencies or problems. Therefore, here are some of the top neighborhoods for student housing in State College.

Downtown State College

One of the top neighborhoods for student housing in State College is Downtown. It is known for its convenience and proximity to the university's main campus. This locality is located just a short 2-minute walk from the university and therefore, is absolutely loved by students. The vibe of the neighborhood is loud, energetic, and social, especially on football weekends. This locality is the best suited for students who want to be in the center of everything. Established roughly 20 years ago, Bill Pickle's Tap Room is a lively bar located directly across the campus and is a great spot for drinks and watching sports! If you ever crave good waffles, the Original Waffle Shop is a Greek diner that serves some of the best brunch in the city! The average rent for student housing in Downtown State College ranges between $800 and $1150 per month!

Holmes-Foster

Located south of Downtown, another one of the best neighborhoods for student apartments in State College is Holmes-Foster. This neighborhood has a mix of older single-family homes converted into student rentals, duplexes, and small apartment buildings. The Tree-lined streets make the neighborhood look more aesthetic and has a more residential feel. Holmes-Foster is just a short 10-minute walk from the University and therefore, has a high student concentration! This neighborhood is home to the Arboretum at Penn State, a beautiful, expansive botanical garden with walking trails, located at the edge of the university campus! Holmes-Foster also houses the best coffee shop in the city, Cafe Lemont! The average rent for student properties in Holmes-Foster ranges between $750 and $1000 per month!

West College Avenue

Located to the left of downtown, West College Avenue is one of the top neighborhoods for student apartments in State College is West College Avenue, and is located just a short 10-minute bus ride to the university! This neighborhood is more affordable than downtown, more convenient, and has great transport connectivity throughout the city. West College is also located close to grocery stores and major shopping centers in the city! This neighborhood is a short 10-minute bus ride from the university and, therefore, is a major student hub! One of the most iconic places in the city, Mount Nittany, is also located on West College Avenue. The mountain overlooks the state college and offers incredible views of the entire valley! It is an unsaid rule that every student at the university hikes up this mountain before graduating! The average rent for student housing in State College ranges between $600 and $1000 per month.

The population of State College is just under 100,000, and yet, the city boasts an extensive network of public transit systems that provide last-mile connectivity to all parts of the city. Every day, thousands of students use them to commute from one place to another. These modes of transport include buses and shuttle services. These have been explained briefly below:

CATA Bus (Centre Area Transportation Authority)

One of the primary modes of public transit in State College is the CATA Bus, which is the primary transport agency providing services within State College and the surrounding areas. These services are so widely used that the annual ridership exceeds 6 million, with at least 14,000 riders daily! Most of the riders are students and the best part is, all of these buses are wheelchair accessible, hence, they even cater to students with disability!

Free Campus Shuttles

The campus shuttles are also a major mode of student transit in the city, as both universities run free shuttle services for students. The routes for these services have been divided brilliantly with different routes fixed for different neighborhoods. The shuttle services consist of the following lines:

• Blue Loop

• White Loop

• Red Link

• Campus Shuttle

The shuttle services start as early as 6:45 and run late until night!

State College is one of the most beautiful cities in Pennsylvania and is known for its spectacular views. It has some great attractions for tourists and residents in the city. Every year, millions of tourists visit the city to explore some of the best museums and galleries. These places act as a source of recreation for students, and most of these places do not charge any entry fees to students if they carry a valid student ID Card. Here are some of the top tourist attractions in the city:

Mount Nittany

Mount Nittany is an absolute wonder and is located pretty close to State College! It is also one of the most visited places in the city! Legend says that all students who are enrolled in the university must go on a hike on the mountain before graduating! The mountain offers spectacular views of the entire valley and is frequented by students and tourists alike. It is a must-visit for outdoor enthusiasts!

The Arboretum at Penn State

One of the most gorgeous places to visit in the city is the Arboretum at Penn State. It is a peaceful oasis located just steps from the university campus. This attraction features lush gardens, walking trails, and a whimsical children's garden. It is undoubtedly one of the best spots for a quiet afternoon, picnic, date, or scenic photo opportunity! It is most famous for its stunning fall foliage display!

Beaver Stadium

Home to the Penn State Nittany Lions football team, the Beaver Stadium is one of the largest and most electric college football venues in the country. Every year, the State College transforms into a hub of activity on game days as fans flock from all over the country. In fact, even on days when no game is going on, stadium tours are available for sports fans. Therefore, if you are a sports enthusiast, this is your place to be!