Most VCSU students spend their first year on campus by requirement. After that, off-campus housing becomes an option, and for a lot of students it becomes the preferred one. Valley City’s southwest side sits close enough to campus that the distance rarely becomes an issue, and the rental stock in this part of the city is built around students who need that access.

We manage rentals across Valley City at Valley Bridges Properties, including apartments close to VCSU’s campus. Browse our available properties or apply online to get started.

When You Can Move Off Campus

VCSU requires all full-time, first-time freshman students to live on campus and maintain a board plan for one full academic year, covering two full semesters. After that requirement is met, most students can move off campus.

Three exemptions apply from the start. Students who live at home within 35 miles of Valley City, students who are 21 or older, and students who are married or serve as the single head of a household are not subject to the on-campus requirement. Any student seeking an exemption needs to provide written verification of their off-campus residence to the VCSU Residence Life Office.

Students who want more space than a residence hall but are not ready to move fully off campus have one intermediate option. Viking Court is a 16-unit apartment complex on campus consisting of two-bedroom, one-bathroom units. Eligibility requires at least 60 completed semester hours or age 21. Both occupants must be enrolled VCSU students and must sign the lease together.

The Campus Layout and Surrounding Streets

VCSU’s 55-acre campus sits at 101 College St SW, with its main entrance off 8th Avenue SW to Viking Drive. The Sheyenne River runs along the northern edge of campus and a forested hillside borders it to the south. The central campus is listed on the National Register of Historic Places as a Historic District.

The streets closest to campus, College St SW, Viking Drive SW, and 4th Avenue SW, make up the primary off-campus rental corridor for VCSU students. From these streets, walking to class is a realistic daily option. The VCSU Footbridge, a three-span, 150-foot suspension bridge built in 1901 and the only one of its kind in North Dakota, provides a direct pedestrian crossing from the southwest side of the city onto campus.

What You Keep Access To Off Campus

Moving off campus does not cut off access to campus facilities. The Gaukler Family Wellness Center, VCSU’s fitness hub, includes an indoor pool, fitness equipment, and the classrooms and labs for the Department of Kinesiology and Human Performance. 

Student membership is included in student fees, so off-campus students who pay those fees retain full access. Hours run Monday through Thursday 5am to 10pm, Friday 5am to 8pm, Saturday 6am to 8pm, and Sunday from 8am.

The Memorial Student Center holds food service, the bookstore, a game room, and conference rooms, and functions as the campus information hub. Off-campus students can still purchase dining plans and use the Café and Viking I food options. The Allen Memorial Library and all academic buildings are accessible with a valid student ID.

What to Look for in an Off-Campus Rental

Heat and utilities. North Dakota winters run long. Whether heat is included in rent or billed separately is one of the first things worth asking about. Natural gas forced air is the most common heating setup in Valley City homes and apartments. Knowing the system type and who pays for it matters from November through March.

Laundry. On-campus residence halls have laundry facilities built in. Off campus, that is not a given. Some units have in-unit hookups, others have shared on-site machines, and some have neither. Confirm it before you sign.

Internet. VCSU coursework runs heavily on digital platforms. A reliable connection at home is not optional. Ask what is available at the specific address before committing, since coverage varies across the city.

Parking. If you have a vehicle, off-street parking is worth confirming specifically. Street parking near campus fills up during the day, and an assigned spot makes a difference in winter.

Lease timing. Off-campus leases in Valley City often align with the academic calendar, but not always. Confirming the start and end dates relative to your semester schedule avoids gaps or overlaps that cost money.

Renting Near VCSU with Valley Bridges Properties

We manage apartments, townhomes, and single-family homes across Valley City, including properties on the southwest side close to campus. Our leasing process runs through AppFolio online, move-in and move-out inspections are standard, and a tenant portal handles rent payments and maintenance requests once you are placed. Many of our properties are pet-friendly.

We have been in property management since 1985 and have been active members of the National Association of Residential Property Managers for more than 20 years.

Ready to Find Off-Campus Housing Near VCSU?

Making the move off campus is one of the bigger logistical steps in a student’s time at VCSU, and getting the location and the lease right from the start makes the rest of it easier. Our leasing team knows the area well enough to point you toward what fits your situation before you apply. Browse our available properties and get started at Valley Bridges Properties.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can VCSU students move off campus? 

Full-time first-time freshmen at VCSU are required to live on campus for one full academic year covering two semesters. After that requirement is met, most students can move off campus. Exemptions apply for students living at home within 35 miles of Valley City, students who are 21 or older, and students who are married or serve as the single head of a household.

What is Viking Court and who can live there? 

Viking Court is a 16-unit on-campus apartment complex at VCSU consisting of two-bedroom, one-bathroom units. Eligibility requires at least 60 completed semester hours or age 21. Both occupants must be currently enrolled VCSU students and both must sign the lease.

What streets near VCSU have the most off-campus student housing? 

College Street SW, Viking Drive SW, and 4th Avenue SW are the streets closest to VCSU’s campus at 101 College St SW. The VCSU Footbridge, a 150-foot suspension bridge built in 1901, provides a direct pedestrian connection from the southwest side of the city onto campus.

Do off-campus VCSU students keep access to the Gaukler Family Wellness Center? 

Yes. Student membership to the Gaukler Family Wellness Center is included in student fees. Off-campus students who pay those fees retain full access to the indoor pool, fitness equipment, and all other center facilities.

What should VCSU students confirm before signing an off-campus lease? 

Heat and utility arrangements, laundry access, internet availability, parking, and lease start and end dates relative to the academic calendar are the five things worth confirming before signing. Each property in Valley City handles them differently.