Here's the first thing to understand about housing as a UVU student: there isn't any on campus. UVU has no residence halls and no requirement to live anywhere in particular — every student lives off-campus, renting on the open market. That's more freedom than students at most universities get, and a little more responsibility, because the search, the lease, and the roommates are all on you.
The good news is that Orem and north Provo have a dense, competitive market of student-focused apartment complexes built specifically for the BYU/UVU population, most of them clustered near campus and the free UVX bus line. This guide covers the best of them, how student leasing actually works here, what it costs, and where to start. It pairs with our full UVU Student Guide and our Orem Neighborhoods Guide.
A note on specifics: Complexes, prices, amenities, and shuttle programs change every year. Treat the details below as a starting point and verify everything directly with each property before you sign. The single most authoritative, always-current list is UVU's own student housing guide (below).
Start Here: UVU's Official Housing Guide
Before anything else, know that UVU publishes an official student housing guide (a booklet updated each year, available through the housing section of uvu.edu) that lists current student complexes, a housing map, and even a marketplace for students selling contracts. Because it's maintained by the university and refreshed annually, it's the most reliable single source for what's currently out there — more trustworthy than a friend's recommendation or a general apartment-search site, both of which go stale fast.
Use this guide for orientation and the lay of the land; use UVU's official booklet (and each complex's own leasing office) for the current, exact details.
Where UVU Students Live
UVU's main campus sits in Orem along University Parkway (800 North), just off I-15. Student housing concentrates in a few areas:
The University Parkway corridor (closest to campus). The densest cluster of purpose-built student complexes, many within walking or biking distance of campus or a short UVX ride. This is where you'll find the most "student apartment" social scene and the most competition for spots. If you're going car-free, this corridor — plus anything near the Orem Central FrontRunner station — is where you want to be.
North Orem toward 1600 North. Slightly farther out, often a bit cheaper, still accessible by bike or bus. A good balance of price and proximity for students willing to trade a few minutes of commute for lower rent.
North Provo (just over the city line). South of the UVU boundary, north Provo bleeds into the student market — sometimes cheaper than Orem complexes, close to grocery stores and restaurants along University Avenue, and still connected to campus by the UVX. Worth searching if you want proximity without corridor prices.
Vineyard. The fast-growing city between Orem and Utah Lake has newer apartments and shared townhomes, often at competitive prices, a short drive or bus ride from UVU. See our Living in Vineyard guide for the bigger picture on the area.
Student-Focused Complexes Near UVU
These are established, student-oriented complexes that come up repeatedly for UVU students. We've grouped them loosely, but the right fit depends on your budget, how close you want to be, shared vs. private room, and the kind of community you want — so tour in person and confirm current pricing and availability with each.
Closest to Campus / Walk or Skybridge
Axis — Markets itself as right next to the campus skybridge that crosses I-15 to UVU, which makes it about as close to walk-on access as student housing in Orem gets. Newer, amenity-focused, with a social scene. Popular with students who prioritize being able to walk to class.
University Towers — Within walking distance of campus, with larger five- and six-bedroom furnished apartments, underground parking, a fitness center, study spaces, and direct connections to the UVU shuttle and UTA buses. Known for some of the larger shared-living floor plans in Orem.
Along the Parkway / UVX Corridor
Village on the Parkway — A smaller complex right off the freeway by UVU, with a UVX stop outside and FrontRunner across the street. Emphasizes roommate matching (by gender, age, interests, major), affordability for both shared and private rooms, a free UVU shuttle in fall and winter, and a cozy, get-to-know-your-neighbors feel. A frequent pick for car-free students.
Promenade Place — Off Geneva Road near University Parkway, with quick freeway access and proximity to the Orem Central UTA/FrontRunner station. Fully furnished 4×2, 4×4, and studio layouts, washer/dryer in unit, roommate matching, and a focus on being walkable to transit.
University Gateway, Wolverine Crossing, Liberty Square, Raintree, Stadium 150, Summerwood, and Omni all appear regularly in UVU's housing guide as student-focused options in and around the corridor. Each has its own mix of price point, room types, and amenities — these are exactly the names to look up in UVU's official booklet and tour in person.
More Budget-Oriented
Beyond the bigger complexes, Orem and north Provo have plenty of smaller apartments, basement units, and rooms in shared houses that lease by the room — sometimes well under the corridor complexes' rates. These show up on UVU's housing marketplace, on student classifieds, and in local rental listings. They trade amenities and a built-in social scene for a lower price. Our First-Time Renter's Checklist is essential reading before signing for any private landlord.
How Student Leasing Works Here
A few things about Utah Valley student housing surprise newcomers:
Leasing is usually "by the bed." At most student complexes, you sign an individual contract for your specific bed or room — not for the whole apartment — and you're only on the hook for your own rent, not your roommates'. The complex places you with roommates, and many offer roommate matching by gender, age, and interests. This is different from renting a whole unit with friends, where everyone shares one joint lease.
Furnished and utilities-included is common. Many student complexes come fully furnished with high-speed internet and utilities bundled into rent (sometimes with a cap). This makes budgeting simpler and move-in lighter — read more in our college move-in guide.
Contracts are typically 12 months and often renewable. Some complexes offer shorter or semester-length terms, which can be useful for summer classes or partial-year needs — ask specifically.
Students sell contracts. Because students graduate, transfer, leave on missions, or change plans mid-lease, there's an active culture of selling an existing contract to someone who takes it over. UVU's housing guide and student boards have a marketplace for this. It can be a way into an otherwise-full complex, or a cheaper rate — just verify the terms with the complex before taking over anyone's contract.
What It Costs
Realistic 2026 ranges for student housing near UVU (always confirm with the property — these move):
- Shared room (two sharing a bedroom) in a 4-person student apartment: roughly $360–$850/month per person, depending heavily on the complex and what's included.
- Private room in a shared student apartment: generally higher than a shared room — often the $600–$900+ range at the nicer complexes.
- Solo studio or 1-bedroom: starting around $1,100/month and up.
- Basement apartments / rooms in shared houses: often the cheapest option, sometimes under $500/month for a private room, but with fewer amenities and a private landlord rather than a management company.
The complexes along the Parkway compete aggressively, so watch for move-in specials, waived fees, and roommate-matching perks. For the full cost-of-living picture beyond rent, see our Cost of Living in Provo breakdown and our Student Discounts guide.
Getting There Without a Car
One of UVU's best perks is free transit: your student ID covers the UVX bus rapid-transit line (every 6–10 minutes along University Avenue, connecting UVU to BYU and downtown Provo), all UTA buses, and FrontRunner to Salt Lake City. Several complexes near campus also run free shuttles during fall and winter semesters.
If you're going car-free, prioritize a complex on the University Parkway corridor, near a UVX stop, or near the Orem Central FrontRunner station. Our getting around Provo & Orem without a car guide covers the full transit picture.
How to Search Smart
- Start with UVU's official housing guide for the current, complete list of student complexes and the housing map.
- Map it. Use a map to check the real walking/biking distance to campus and to UVX or FrontRunner stops — "near UVU" means very different things at different complexes.
- Tour in person, day and night. Photos flatter. Visit to gauge noise, safety, cleanliness, and how the management feels. Ask current residents.
- Read honest reviews. Current-student discussions (like the r/UVU subreddit) often have unfiltered takes on specific complexes — the good and the bad.
- Compare what's included. A higher rent with utilities, internet, furniture, and a shuttle bundled in can beat a "cheaper" place once you add those back.
- Check the lease terms carefully. Contract length, deposit, what happens if you need to leave early, cleaning-check fees at move-out, and the roommate-matching policy. Our First-Time Renter's Checklist walks through every question to ask.
- Move early. The best-located, best-priced spots fill first — start a few months ahead for a fall lease.
Related Guides
- UVU Student Guide
- How to Find Student Housing in Provo & Orem
- Best Apartments Near BYU
- Orem Neighborhoods Guide
- First-Time Renter's Checklist
- Moving to Provo for College: Move-In & Your First Week
- Getting Around Provo & Orem Without a Car
- Cost of Living in Provo
- Student Discounts & Deals in Provo
- Living in Vineyard
- Transfer Student Guide
Last updated: June 2026. Apartment complexes, prices, amenities, and availability change frequently — always verify current details directly with each property and with UVU's official student housing guide before signing a contract.