$575/mo
Single roomSingle room in Ames, IA
Ames, IA
~2.5 km from Iowa State University
Available from Nov 2026Posted 2mo ago
Michael WilsonReplies to 71% · within 2h
Roommates & housing near Iowa State University for international students
Iowa State's off-campus market in Ames runs on 12-month leases starting in August, mostly in Campustown just south of central campus and in the apartment complexes of West Ames. Buses are free for fee-paying students, so a car is optional, and HUD's FY2026 three-bedroom benchmark of $1,601 works out to roughly $534 per bedroom.
Living near Iowa State University: a newcomer's guide
Where to live
Areas students rent in, nearest first
Campustown
The blocks around Lincoln Way and Welch Ave right below central campus. Mostly older walk-ups and newer mid-rise student buildings; closest option, but parking is scarce and nights are loud.
- Commute
- 5–15 min walk to central campus
West Ames
Larger apartment complexes along Lincoln Way, Mortensen Rd and Coconino Rd west of campus. More space and on-site parking for the money; you depend on CyRide in winter.
- Commute
- CyRide bus, roughly 10–20 min to campus
Frederiksen Court and Schilletter-University Village
University-run apartments on the north and northeast edge of campus. Frederiksen Court and SUV are the communities ISU sets aside for graduate students, with utilities folded into the rate.
- Commute
- Walk or short CyRide ride to central campus
Downtown Ames (Main Street)
Older houses and apartments split into units a little east of campus. Quieter and less student-heavy; worth checking if you want a house share rather than a complex.
- Commute
- CyRide bus to campus
Getting around
CyRide is the Ames bus system and covers campus, Campustown, West Ames and the north-side university apartments. Riders without a student ID pay $1.00 cash, and digital passes are sold through the Token Transit app.
- Student fares
- Free on every CyRide route for Iowa State students holding a current ISUCard who have paid that semester's student fees.
- Car
- Not needed if you live on a bus line. Campus and Campustown parking costs extra and is tight; check whether a complex includes a stall before signing.
What it costs
- Room in a shared place
- About $534/mo per bedroom, derived from HUD's FY2026 Ames three-bedroom Fair Market Rent of $1,601 split three ways (includes a utility allowance)
- Studio or 1-bedroom
- HUD FY2026 Fair Market Rent for Ames: $972/mo studio, $1,026/mo one-bedroom
- Bills
- Varies by building: some complexes bundle water, internet, trash and snow removal, while many Campustown leases leave electricity and parking to the tenant.
- Also budget for
- A deposit of up to two months' rent is legal in Iowa, so budget for that on top of the first month.
Leases and deposits
- Lease
- Off-campus units near Iowa State are leased for 12 months, almost all starting in August; complexes begin signing the following year's leases in the fall semester.
- Deposit
- Iowa Code 562A.12 caps the deposit at two months' rent and requires it to be held in a federally insured bank. The landlord has 30 days after the tenancy ends and after receiving your mailing address to refund it or explain each deduction in writing.
- Good to know
- The Student Legal Services Office in the Memorial Union gives Iowa State students free, confidential legal advice and can look over a lease before you commit.
Campus housing
University Housing places first-year students in the residence halls; graduate students have dedicated apartments in Frederiksen Court and Schilletter-University Village, booked through the StarRez Housing Portal. Continuing residents re-contract in early spring. The Dean of Students Office runs an off-campus housing listing service with Campustown and West Ames sections.
University housing page(opens in a new tab)Before you move
When to start looking
Ames turns over on a single August move-in date, and the student complexes start pre-leasing for the next August during the preceding fall, so by October the listing service is already showing August move-ins for the next year.
Your first weeks
ISU Guest Housing in Schilletter Village is for visiting scholars, postdocs and staff, not students, so new students usually book an Ames hotel for the first nights. Ask your future landlord whether an early August move-in is possible, since most leases start on one fixed day.
Watch out for
Students who sublet their room stay responsible for unpaid rent and damage caused by the subtenant unless the lease says otherwise, and the landlord has to agree to any change.
Questions about renting near Iowa State University
What do rooms near Iowa State University cost on HomiesAbroad right now?
2 rooms are listed right now, at a median of $588/mo (from $575 to $600).
Does my spouse get free CyRide too?
No. The free fare covers Iowa State students with a current ISUCard who have paid student fees. Spouses of students, visiting scholars and postdocs pay the regular $1.00 cash fare, or buy a 3-, 6- or 12-month digital pass in the Token Transit app. Staff, faculty and postdocs can buy passes subsidized by ISU Parking Systems at the University Bookstore or the CyRide office if they show a staff ID or a current pay stub.
Can a new international student stay in ISU Guest Housing on arrival?
No. Guest Housing at Schilletter Village states it is not available to ISU students. It serves employees, visiting scholars, researchers and postdocs at $60 per apartment per day with utilities included, and requires at least seven days. If you are coming as a visiting researcher rather than a student, ask your host department to book it; otherwise plan on a hotel until your lease starts.
Where does Iowa State put graduate students on campus?
ISU points graduate students to two apartment communities: Frederiksen Court and Schilletter-University Village (SUV), on the north side of campus. These are apartment-style rather than residence halls, so no meal plan is required. Apply through the StarRez Housing Portal as soon as you are admitted, because spaces are limited and most graduate students still end up renting off campus.
What happens to my Iowa deposit if I leave the US without giving an address?
The 30-day refund clock in Iowa only starts once the landlord has your mailing address or delivery instructions. If you provide none within one year after the tenancy ends, the deposit legally reverts to the landlord. Before you fly home, give the landlord a written forwarding address or instructions for an electronic refund, and keep a copy. A landlord who withholds the deposit in bad faith can owe punitive damages of up to twice the monthly rent.
Can someone review my Ames lease before I sign?
Yes. Iowa State's Student Legal Services Office at 6580 Memorial Union, 2229 Lincoln Way, offers free, confidential advice to students when there is no conflict of interest with the university, and refers you to community legal services when needed. Call 515-294-0978 or email [email protected]. This matters because student leases in Ames are often joint, meaning each roommate can be held responsible for the full rent.
How many people are looking for a room or roommate near Iowa State University?
4 people have an open housing request here. Their median budget is $675/mo.