For many college students, the month of August means getting back in the swing of things –scheduling classes, buying textbooks and preparing for the first football game of the season.
If they’re attending college away from home, they’ll also need to find a place to live. Luckily for those students, they have plenty of options on both Columbus and Starkville.
With two universities within 25 miles of each other, thousands of students descend on the Golden Triangle area seeking to further their education. In addition to focusing on school, most students have to concentrate on their budget. For some, that means getting a part time job waiting tables and living on a Ramen noodle diet. For others, that means carefully considering which apartments in the area are student-budget friendly.
In Starkville, home of Mississippi State University, most students choose to either live on campus or in the increasingly popular Cotton District. Located within walking distance of the university, the Cotton District offers a wide variety of housing options. Nearly 100 buildings have been renovated or entirely rebuilt by local real estate investor Dan Camp. With a New Orleans style feel, the development offers a range of housing options — from a one-bedroom studio at $350 a month to a four-bedroom townhouse at nearly $1,500 a month. Bonn Camp, property manager with the Cotton District, says approximately 400 students live in the six-block radius.
If the incoming student is a freshman, MSU has a policy requiring them to live on campus. Approximately 4,750 students will live in the 16 different residence halls. With the addition of two new halls, Oak and Magnolia, that number is up from 4000 last year.
The cost of on campus live can range from $1786 to $3563 depending on amenities and meal plan options. Freshman students are also required to purchase a meal plan. Twelve of the universities residence halls are co-residential.
In Columbus, students who choose to live on campus will be placed in one of six residence halls. Two of those halls, Kincannon and Grossnickel, are co-residential.
The cost of living on the MUW campus can change by semester and amenities, but for the Fall 2012 semester, the price for a dorm room ranges from $1,727 to $1,829.50. A meal plan is also offered to students at a cost of $1,268.50 per semester with $150 in “flex dollars,” meaning the students can use the $150 in an eatery on campus.
While officials with MUW do not yet know how many students will be living on campus this year, they say they are looking forward to the school’s move-in day which will take place on August 11.
Students in Columbus also have a wide variety of housing to choose from. With over 160 apartments located in downtown Columbus beginning at $550 dollars, the downtown area boasts shops, restaurants and is a brief drive from the MUW campus.
MSU will also host a move in day on August 11 where thousands of students and their parents are expected to flock to Starkville to prepare for the Fall semester. Classes begin at the MSU campus on Aug. 20. At MUW, classes begin Aug. 15.
Sarah Fowler covered crime, education and community related events for The Dispatch.
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