Brown’s campus is bordered on three sides by residential areas with an abundance of apartments and multi-bedroom houses that can be shared. Most Brown graduate students live off campus in the neighborhoods surrounding the University. Sign up for the 2026 Incoming Student Housing Webinar hosted by the Graduate Student Council on May 6, 2026.
Graduate School
Housing
Brown Graduate Student Housing
Graduate housing is available both on College Hill and in the Jewelry District. Although all grads/masters/medical students may apply, first-year graduate students will be prioritized.
Jewelry District
River House - Located adjacent to South Street Landing, River House has available units reserved for Brown University graduate and medical students. Information on availability, rates, floor plans and amenities are located on the River House website.
College Hill
Graduate students are offered a limited number of Auxiliary-Housing managed apartments located on College Hill, ranging in size from efficiency apartments to four-bedroom apartments and houses. Descriptions of each type of property are available on the Graduate Student Housing website. The typical rental unit includes utilities such as heat, hot water, gas, electricity, and water/sewer fees. Telephone service, cable television service, Internet access, and the wiring for these services are available through private providers.
Applications
Jewelry District - River House
River House is actively compiling a waitlist. Please contact River House directly at 401-859-2390, for further information and to be added to the waitlist. Please note, the application process and lease periods may differ from other Auxiliary Housing properties.
College Hill-Auxiliary Housing
The application for 2026-2027 Graduate Student Housing opens on April 14, 2026, and will remain available until all units are filled. Link for application is same:
- Rental periods are for 12 months with no exceptions. Contracts will begin June 2, July 7, or August 4, 2026. Current rents range from $950 - $1,365/month. Rents for the 2026/2027 academic year will be updated on the website prior to mid-March.
- Graduate students are required to pay a $500 security deposit (fully refunded with successful final inspection of the rental).
Off-Campus Housing
For privately-owned rental options, visit the Off-Campus Housing website. Please note that Brown does not inspect or endorse any rental properties listed on this website. Other resources include the Providence Journal real estate section, as well as the graduate student listserv (see the Graduate Student Council website for details on the listservs).
Guide to Off-Campus Living
Be sure to also read the A Guide to Off-Campus Living for tips on picking a neighborhood, what to consider when selecting an apartment, and tips on establishing a tenant/landlord relationship. Topics include:
- Being part of a neighborhood
- Finding an apartment
- Factors to consider when choosing accommodations
- Establishing tenant-landlord relationships
- Responsibilities and rights of the landlord/tenant
- Care and use of premises
- General provisions
- Street and fire safety
Welcome to the BLOC
Extending Brown University’s value of “supporting one another” beyond campus borders, the BLOC (Brunonians Living Off Campus) program helps students unlock the best of living in Providence.
Tips on Providence Neighborhoods
Walking Distance
Look for places that are listed as Wayland Square, Wickenden Street, East Side, Fox Point, and some in the Hope Street area.
On a Bus Line
Federal Hill, The Armory District, Blackstone Boulevard, Oak Hill, Rochambeau, West Side, Downtown.
Farther Afield
Pawtucket, Cranston, Elmwood, Pawtuxet Village, East Providence, Johnston, and Seekonk are all within a 10-minute drive.