FSU Housing
University housing costs are not included in the tuition and fees at Florida State University. If you want the option of living on campus, you can apply for housing online as soon as you are officially admitted to FSU. Housing at university-owned residence halls and apartments fill quickly. More information about on-campus housing options is available from the University Housing website.
- Students should apply to on-campus housing immediately after university admission at housing.fsu.edu.
- You will have to pay a non-refundable deposit to apply for on-campus housing.
- FSU housing flyer on graduate student on-campus housing options. Please contact the housing office for more information.
Off-Campus Housing
Please note that FSU does not endorse or recommend any off-campus housing options. You should carefully consider and research all options before making the housing decisions that best fit your individual needs. This material is being provided to you for informational purposes only and may not represent the full range of options that are available to you.
Apartments Recommended by International Students
Each semester, we survey FSU international students to see if they would recommend where they currently live to other students. The map and table below present data from that survey, as well as information obtained by calling the apartment management companies in December 2022. The book icon on the map is located at FSU's official address: 600 West College Avenue, Tallahassee, FL 32306.
Click here to download a spreadsheet with details about the recommended apartments
We cannot guarantee the accuracy of information about apartments, which is subject to change. It is your responsibility to verify the terms of your lease before signing. We collect and provide the following information for your convenience only and do not endorse or make recommendations about off-campus housing.
Lease Types and Apartment Layouts
Some apartments allow residents with roommates to sign individual leases, while others only work with group leases. Individual leases are an advantage because they ensure that you will not be responsible for your roommates’ rent if they do not pay. Group leases hold all roommates collectively responsible for payments and deposits.
Some apartments that offer individual leases in multi-bedroom apartments also allow you to secure a room before leases are signed for other rooms; other apartments require that all individual leases are signed at the same time, meaning that you first need to find or be matched with roommates. All rent prices listed are per/bedroom (for group leases, multiply costs by the number of bedrooms to find the apartment’s monthly rent).
Renting only one bedroom in a multi-bedroom apartment will not be appropriate if you have a family or will have family visiting during your stay. Be careful that you understand the apartment’s layout before signing your lease.
Furnishing and Utilities
"Furnished" typically means that basic furniture is provided–usually a sofa, dining table and chairs, and a bed. Sometimes apartments offer the option to have your apartment furnished at an additional monthly cost. Other amenities, such as pots, pans, dishes, utensils, paper products, televisions, appliances, bed linens, and towels are not generally provided. You will need to purchase these items shortly after arrival. The Center for Global Engagement does have a "lending closet" where you can borrow donated dishes, utensils, pots and pans, and potentially some small appliances during normal business hours, 8 am to 5 pm, Monday through Friday.
If utilities are not included in your rental fee, be sure to connect your utilities in advance of arrival. For more information, see our Utilities, TV & Internet page.
Application, Guarantor and Deposits
When applying for an apartment lease, you may be requested to provide a U.S. Social Security number and/or a U.S. guarantor responsible for paying your rent if you do not. When inquiring about apartments, you should ask if they require either and the deposit amount you would need to pay without them. The table above shows deposit amounts for renters with and without guarantors.
Location
When looking for options, you will want to consider safety and transportation options, both to campus and a grocery store, the school district for any school-aged children who will be joining you. Here are some maps that will help you determine the best housing location for you:
- Tallahassee StarMetro Bus System Map
- The Seminole Express Bus Service – Living in an apartment complex on a campus bus route will expand your transportation options significantly.
- Leon County School Zone Lookup
Extended stay hotels
Ask your apartment complex when you can check-in to your apartment. If you are arriving in the evening or a weekend, it is likely that you will need to reserve a hotel room for a night or two until you can check-in to your apartment.
If you need a place to stay longer term, the following hotels have extended stay options.
