Washington State University Off-Campus Housing

About Washington State

For over a century, Washington State University has grown to offer over 225 different degree programs with 11 schools and colleges for students to choose from. WSU helps to further the education of nearly 25,000 students to this day. 

Perched on a hill, Washington State University’s scenic Pullman campus sits in beautiful open green spaces that provide breathtaking views of the rural area. The WSU campus is situated on the outskirts of Pullman, a city with a population of just over 30,000, known for its rolling hills, stunning landscape and that small-town charm, it’s no wonder so many students choose WSU to earn their degree. 

When availability allows, Washington State University requires all first-time freshmen to live in University Housing residence halls before they can find an apartment near WSU-Pullman. This is known as the Freshman Live-In Rule. The specific policy states: “The state of Washington and Washington State University are committed to supporting its new students as they make the transition to college life. Therefore, all single undergraduate freshmen under 20 years of age are required to live in organized on-campus living groups for one academic year.” With 20 different residence halls and dozens of sorority and fraternity chapters, the University will help connect you with a great living option as part of the First-Year Focus Program they run. The majority of 2nd-year students and above seek WSU apartment options around the city of Pullman.

Renting Apartments Near WSU Pullman

If you’re a student looking for apartments in Pullman near WSU, you’ll have a variety of rental options to choose from. Speed up your apartment search by knowing in advance if you plan on living alone or with roommates, what kind of amenities you want your place to have, which area of town you want to live in, your monthly budget for rent, and if you want a house or an off-campus WSU apartment.

Soon after the fall semester begins at Washington State, so does the house hunting. The number of searches for apartments near WSU-Pullman begins to rise each month beginning in October with the real peak of searches occurring in February after Winter Break. Even though the big rush is after Winter Break, if you are looking to live in an apartment close to campus, many of the apartment complexes in Pullman send out their renewal notices to their current tenants during the Fall semester so shortly after that, they know their upcoming availability. 

To get the perfect pad, we suggest starting your house and apartment hunt as early as possible! 

Rent Prices in Pullman Near WSU

Compared to many Universities around the country, rent prices for apartments in Pullman near WSU are fairly affordable for WSU students, especially if you opt for a roommate or two. Rent prices will vary based on whether you choose to live in a house or an apartment, and how many people you decide to live with. While living alone does have its perks, a single bedroom WSU apartment is more than not the priciest living option available to students. On average it costs about $845 to live in a one-bedroom. Not only will you be responsible for the total cost of rent, you’ll also need to take into account the additional costs for all of your groceries and utilities. 

By having just one extra roommate, you can expect to save almost half as much on rent as you would living alone. Add on a third or even fourth roommate and you’ll continue to save! 

How much do studio apartments near Washington State cost?

The average rent for a studio apartment in Pullman, WA is $585.

How much do 1 bedroom apartments near Washington State cost?

The average rent for a 1 bedroom apartment in Pullman, WA is $750.

How much do 2 bedroom apartments near Washington State cost?

The average rent for a 2 bedroom apartment in Pullman, WA is $533.

How much do 3 bedroom apartments near Washington State cost?

The average rent for a 3 bedroom apartment in Pullman, WA is $556.

How much do 4 bedroom apartments near Washington State cost?

The average rent for a 4 bedroom apartment in Pullman, WA is $712.

How much are 5+ bedroom apartments near Washington State cost?

While there will be some differences in price points depending on if you’re looking for a 5 or a 10 bedroom rental, the average rent for a 5+ bedroom apartment in Pullman, WA is $643.

Photo Credit: Jeremy Segrott

Washington State Jobs & Careers

One thing we can probably all agree on is that college is expensive! From the cost of housing, tuition, books, and your everyday living expenses, it feels like you could be paying off student loans for the rest of your life. To help with the costs, consider getting a part-time or full-time job. 

There’s a wide variety of job opportunities available in Pullman and a ton of ways to find them. Try job searching on LinkedIn or Glassdoor. If you’re looking for something with a flexible schedule with a short commute to campus, you can start your search on the Washington State University student employment page. After you create an account, you can view and apply for different jobs through the University on Handshake. 

You can find common jobs like:

• Library Aide
• Undergraduate Assistant
• Graduate Assistant
• Cafeteria Worker 
• Safety Patrol Officer
• And more! 

Safety at Washington State

Living on your own can be scary at times but the good news is that a recent survey conducted ranked WSU as the safest campus in America among schools in the “Power 5” and the 5th safest in the nation overall. To keep the safety streak going, consider these things you can do to stay safe in the city of Pullman: 

• Let your friends or roommates know where you are - You can share your location with them or download one of the many safety apps out there like Noonlight. Avoid walking alone at night and make sure to lock up and hide all belongings. 
• Sign up for WSU Alerts and you’ll receive real-time alerts for emergencies 
• If you’re experiencing a mental health crisis, coping with a traumatic experience, or need to report cases such as assault or domestic violence you can call or text Crisis Support Services to talk to a licensed professional. The helpline number is (509) 335-4511 or text HOME to 741741.

If you ever need help, the WSU Police can be found at 2201 Grimes Way and can be reached at (509) 332-2521 for non-emergencies. As always, call 911 if an emergency should occur.

Parking Around WSU

Students and faculty at WSU have several lots and parking structures they can park in daily. Annual campus parking passes are available through Transportation Services and you can get those online or go directly to their office to purchase. Keep in mind that these lots do often fill up fast, and it’s on a first-come first-served basis. Meter and garage parking can also be paid at a daily or hourly rate. If you don’t get a pass or get a lot parking space, you’ll most likely find yourself navigating parking on the streets around campus, so be aware of your time—parking tickets add up fast!  

How to Get Around Pullman

If you don’t have your own vehicle, or if you just don’t feel like driving all over town searching for a parking spot, Pullman has many options to help you get around the city. Many WSU students use alternate modes of transportation to get around such as free park and ride options, free transit, carpooling, walking, biking. 

• Pullman Transit buses run throughout the city, and there are several bus stops within the WSU campus. WSU students can travel for free by showing their Cougar Card.
• Biking is another popular option to travel as it’s an eco-friendly way to get around the city. If you don’t have your own bike or didn’t bring it with you, you can go to the WSU Rec Center to rent a bike and helmet. As a bonus, if you’re a member of the WSU Recreation Center or Chinook Student center you can borrow their bikes for free! 
• Try Zimride if you’re looking to link up with fellow WSU students making the same trip as you
• Ridesharing can be a bit pricey if you do it all the time, but it’s a convenient way to get around. Pullman has both Lyft and Uber. To save money, download both apps and compare the route costs before scheduling a ride. 

Things to Do at WSU

We know how stressful being a student gets! It can be tough to balance schoolwork while also having a social life, but don’t forget to make the most out of your college years. Get out there and experience everything while you can! 

WSU has a bunch of different things to do on and around campus on your free time like:

• Two words: Cougar Football. Support your team by tailgating with friends and going to a home football game. GO COUGS!
• Visit the Student Recreation center and go swimming, rock climbing, work up a sweat in a new fitness class, or join an intramural team.
• Get involved and join one of the many hundreds of clubs on campus. From Greek Life to chess, archery and everything in between, find something you’re interested in! 
• Go to an art exhibit, music event, or performance at the Beasley Coliseum or Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art.

Things to Do in Pullman, WA

While Washington State University offers many great things to get involved with on campus, try venturing off-campus to explore all that Pullman has to offer! 

When it’s time to take a break from studies and catch up with friends, WSU students often meet up with one another to grab a bite. Pullman has no shortage of restaurants, so whatever those taste buds are craving, you can find it here! Some favorite spots include South Fork Public House, Porchlight Pizza, and the Cougar Country Drive Inn.

• Escape the Pullman heat in the warm months and head for the Dunes. Relax in the river or if you’re feeling adventurous you can join your fellow cougs for some cliff jumping fun.
• WSU is located in a rural area, so many students do outdoor-related activities such as biking, hiking, and camping. Head to nearby parks like Kamiak Butte, Sunnyside, and Wawawai to enjoy the great outdoors.
• Enjoy a wine tasting at the popular Merry Cellars Winery