Housing options
Where you live at A-State: halls, apartments, rates and how room selection actually works
For an international student, housing is the second-biggest decision after the major — it sets how much you pay, how far you walk to class, and whether a meal plan is compulsory. This page lists every building, the published 2026–27 rates, and the full process from application to keys.
Housing deposit
$100
Hall double room
$2,730 / semester
Apartments
$2,930 – $4,429 / semester
First-year students
Required to live on campus
Housing options
Why the university wants you on campus
University Housing describes on-campus living as your front door to campus life rather than just a place to stay: you walk to class, dining, the gym and events; you meet people and find a community; you join clubs and leadership opportunities; and there are staff and Resident Assistants on hand when you need them.
If you are arriving from abroad, the practical case is stronger still. In your first semester you have no car, no US driving licence and no mental map of the city. Living on campus removes the transport problem entirely during the hardest weeks, and gives you a stable address for a Social Security number, a bank account and university mail.
Why the university wants you on campus
- Walk to class, dining, the gym and campus events
- Meet people in your year and find your community from week one
- Join events, clubs and student leadership opportunities
- Get support from live-in staff and Resident Assistants
- Pick the style of living that suits you: double, single or apartment
“I loved living on campus. It was really fun getting a roommate and setting up the room. Being in the dorm with lots of students made my transition easier.”
Who has to live on campus
First-year students who are 17 or older at the start of the fall semester of their first year are required to live on campus. That is a requirement, not a recommendation.
Two exceptions can be requested: first-year students living at the legal residence of a parent or legal guardian within a 25-mile radius of campus, and first-year students who are at least 21 before the academic term begins. Both must submit the Request for Waiver of Living on Campus in the myDen portal with supporting documentation, and a committee reviews each request.
In practice almost no student arriving from abroad falls into either category in the first year, so plan your budget on the assumption that you will live on campus for at least one academic year.
Source: Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
Residence halls — published 2026–27 rates
Rates are per semester, per resident. Single rooms depend on availability.
| Building | Double / semester | Single / semester |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Hall | $2,730 | $3,450 |
| Kays Hall | $2,730 | $3,450 |
| University Hall | $2,730 | $3,450 |
| Northpark Quads | — | $3,450 |
Meal plans are not included. In the residence halls a Board meal plan is required and billed separately.
- Rates are per semester, per resident. Single rooms depend on availability.
- Apartments are for students entering their second academic year.
- Students in Arkansas Hall, Kays Hall, University Hall, Northpark Quads and Living Learning Communities must have a Board meal plan.
- First-year students must choose a Board 5-day or 7-day plan.
Source: A-State Housing — Room & Board Rates 2026-27 · Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
On-campus apartments — published 2026–27 rates
For students entering their second academic year. Rates are per semester, per resident — not per apartment.
| Community | Floor plan | Per semester, per resident |
|---|---|---|
| Collegiate Park | 2 bedrooms / 1 bath | $3,040 |
| Collegiate Park | 2 bedrooms / 2 baths | $3,300 |
| Collegiate Park | 4 bedrooms / 2 baths (townhouse) | $3,040 |
| Collegiate Park | 4 bedrooms / 2 baths (flat) | $2,930 |
| Red Wolf Den | 2 bedrooms / 1 bath | $3,140 |
| Red Wolf Den | 3 bedrooms / 1 bath | $2,930 |
| Red Wolf Den | 4 bedrooms / 2 baths (flat) | $3,040 |
| Pack Place | 2 bedrooms / 2 baths | $4,321 |
| Pack Place | 4 bedrooms / 4 baths | $3,755 |
| The Village | 1 bedroom / 1 bath | $3,400 |
| The Village | 2 bedrooms / 1 bath | $3,910 |
| The Village | 2 bedrooms / 1 bath + in-unit washer/dryer | $4,120 |
| The Village | 3 bedrooms / 1 bath | $4,430 |
| The Circle | 1 bedroom / 1 bath | $4,429 |
| The Circle | 2 bedrooms / 2 baths | $3,836 |
Pack Place and The Circle carry renters insurance of $25 per semester; the NYITCOM housing rate is $30 per semester.
Who qualifies for The Village and The Circle
The Circle is home to graduate students and students of the NYIT College of Osteopathic Medicine. NYITCOM runs a separate application process for on-campus housing.
The Village is home to non-traditional undergraduate or graduate students who are married, have a child, or are over the age of 23.
Students who qualify for The Village, The Circle or NYITCOM housing apply through a later, separate process — watch your university email for the details.
Source: A-State Housing — Room & Board Rates 2026-27 · Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
Meal plans: the cost that comes with a residence hall
If you live in Arkansas Hall, Kays Hall, University Hall, Northpark Quads or a Living-Learning Community, you must have a Board meal plan. First-year students must choose either the 5-day or the 7-day Board plan. This is the single biggest reason a first-year budget runs above the room rate in the table above.
Only students living in apartments or off campus can cancel a meal plan in full, and only before the deadline at the start of the semester. Once the residence halls open for the semester it is too late.
| Board plan | Per semester |
|---|---|
| 5-day + $415 flex | $2,565 |
| 7-day + $310 flex | $2,570 |
| 7-day + $465 flex | $2,660 |
| 150 block + $515 flex | $2,170 |
| 115 block + $725 flex | $2,040 |
| All flex | $2,020 |
Last day to change or cancel a meal plan: 5 pm, Wednesday 12 August 2026. Students who must have a plan but do not choose are assigned the 7-day + $310 plan.
Source: A-State Housing — Room & Board Rates 2026-27 · Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
From offer letter to room key
- 1
Step 1
Be formally admitted
You must be officially accepted to A-State before you can apply to live on campus — that includes receiving your A-State student identification number and activating your account.
- 2
From 1 November
Apply and pay the deposit
Housing applications for the 2026–27 academic year are made in the Pack Portal. Incoming first-year students also pay a $100 deposit. Deposits are accepted from 1 November for the following academic year; the term shown online reflects when you pay, while the amount is applied to your first semester in residence.
- 3
Before selection day
Build a roommate group (optional)
Roommate groups are not required, but if you want one it should be set up at least two business days before your room selection date, inside the housing application in the Pack Portal. The person with the highest number of completed credit hours should be the group leader; there is only one leader per group, and the leader must verify the group in the portal once everyone has joined.
- 4
January
Get your selection time by email
Selection dates are emailed to students each January. Your place in the queue is based on credit hours completed as of the end of the fall semester in December — you can check yours in Banner Self-Service. Every selection slot begins at 10 a.m.
- 5
Selection day
Pick your building and room
During your time slot you choose the building and room yourself. Come with three preferred communities in mind: the portal only shows what is open at that moment, rather like buying concert tickets. If your first choice is not visible it is gone, so move to the next one quickly. If you are in a group, the leader assigns everyone, and the portal only shows configurations that match your group size.
- 6
Before you arrive
See a show room if you want one
Specific rooms are not normally available for viewing, but there are designated "show" rooms in some buildings. Call the housing office on 870-972-2042 to arrange to see one or more of them.
A note on configurations: most residence halls offer two- and four-person rooms, and a few halls have three-person options. Research the communities you are interested in before selection opens, because the portal only shows rooms matching your group size.
Source: Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
Living-Learning Communities: living with people studying the same thing
LLCs are special-interest housing for students who want to live and learn alongside like-minded classmates. There are currently seven, in various locations across campus.
Honors LLC
For students in the Honors program.
STEM Den
For students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
ROTC LLC
For students in the ROTC program.
Griffin House
The Neil Griffin College of Business community.
Rugby LLC
For students who play rugby.
Art and Innovation LLC
Tied to the university’s Art and Innovation District.
Music LLC
For students studying music.
The practical things you will run into
Some buildings close for breaks
Arkansas Hall, Kays Hall, NorthPark Quads, University Hall and the Living-Learning Communities close for fall, winter and spring break. Apartments and Greek Village do not close. You can request to stay during a break for an additional fee using the extended stay form emailed to all residence hall students. You do not have to remove your belongings, but you cannot get into the hall to collect anything while it is closed.
Laundry
Every residence hall has a laundry room, usually on the first floor, though some are in a central building. You swipe your A-State ID to use preloaded laundry funds; if you run out, email Housing@AState.edu to have more added. Detergent and other laundry products are not provided but can be bought at the campus stores.
Mail and packages
USPS, FedEx and UPS do not deliver to on-campus residential locations. If you want to receive mail and parcels, buy a P.O. Box at the University Postal Center on the second floor of the Reng Student Union. Food, grocery and florist deliveries can come to the hall as long as you meet the driver outside.
Parking
Residents have their own designated parking. Visitors park free in zones marked with visitor signage, or use paid meters and garages at the rate displayed at the meter or pay station — no permit required.
Keys
You are given exactly one set of keys when you check in, and no spare is issued. If you lock yourself out, call the RA on duty for your community.
Staff entering your room
Housing, Facilities Management or IT staff may enter your room with or without you present. Except in an emergency or during a break period, staff will not enter before 9 a.m.
Source: Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
Safety in the residential areas
Arkansas State University has its own University Police Department, with officers on patrol 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Many residence halls and apartments use swipe card access at the building door, and every individual room or apartment has key access.
Many housing facilities also have full-time staff members living in them, alongside student Resident Assistants. Full-time and student housing staff serve in an on-call duty rotation 365 days a year, and many public areas inside buildings and in the parking lots have cameras.
RA on-duty numbers by community
Call these if you are locked out or need to report an emergency work order such as a flood or a major leak.
| Community | RA on duty |
|---|---|
| Arkansas Hall | 870-275-8055 |
| Collegiate Park | 870-243-2924 |
| Living-Learning Communities (LLCs) | 870-275-8055 |
| North Park Quads | 870-919-5766 |
| Pack Place / The Circle / The Village | 870-819-5928 |
| Red Wolf Den | 870-243-2924 |
| University Hall | 870-273-9328 |
For anything that is not urgent, submit a maintenance request through University Housing rather than calling the RA on duty.
Source: Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
Cancelling: the dates that matter
Cancellation requests must be in writing, by email to Housing@AState.edu.
| Resident type | Cancelling on or after | Consequence |
|---|---|---|
| Fall resident | 15 May | Forfeits the housing deposit |
| Fall resident | 1 July | Responsible for the full contract |
| Spring-only resident | 1 December | Forfeits the housing deposit |
| Spring-only resident | 2 January | Responsible for the full contract |
Residents who meet the conditions for cancellation are assessed prorated room and board costs based on their check-out date. Prorated rent is the room rate divided by the number of days in the semester, multiplied by the days from the contract start date through the date proper checkout procedures were completed. The A-State Housing Contract holds the complete terms.
Source: Arkansas State University — University Housing · Updated August 2026
Frequently asked questions
Can I request a private room?
Private rooms are assigned only if space is available. Students on the waiting list are placed in order of the date of their housing deposit. If space opens up and a private room can be offered, the Assignments office contacts you by email.
Can I tour the exact room I will live in?
Usually not. The university does keep designated "show" rooms in some buildings; call 870-972-2042 to arrange to see one or more of them.
Can I change rooms once the semester has started?
Yes, on a case-by-case basis. The Residence Education Coordinator for your building must approve changes within the building and can explain how to move to a different hall. Fall and spring room change requests are accepted from the 11th day of class.
Can a friend stay overnight?
Yes, for no longer than two nights in a row and no more than five nights per month. Guests must be at least 18 and carry valid photo ID. Guests under 18 accompanied by a parent or guardian may visit between 8 a.m. and midnight. You must have your roommate’s permission before the guest arrives.
Can I bring a pet?
Pets are permitted only at The Village and The Circle apartments, and must be registered in advance by emailing Housing@AState.edu. Elsewhere on campus only approved Emotional Support Animals are allowed — submit the Emotional Support Animal Application and contact Access and Accommodations on the second floor of the Reng Student Union, Suite 2181. Both ESAs and pets in the Village or Circle must be approved before the animal arrives on campus.
How does billing work? Can I pay monthly?
Room and board charges are applied to your student account at the start of each semester. If you want to spread payments, review the payment options offered by the Treasurer’s Office. Students can also give family members proxy access to view student account information.
Will my scholarship cover housing?
Every scholarship is different. Ask the Office of Financial Aid and Scholarships at FinAid@AState.edu or 870-972-2310 about your specific award.
How do I get proof of residency?
Visit the University Housing office in person, in Room 2167 on the second floor of the Reng Student Union.
How do I become a Resident Assistant?
Resident Assistants are selected through an application and interview process held each spring semester for the following academic year.
Contact University Housing
- Office: Room 2167, second floor of the Reng Student Union
- Email: Housing@AState.edu
- Phone: (870) 972-2042
- Postal address: PO Box 2774, State University, AR 72467
Want a second opinion on your housing plan?
We can price out each option, room plus meal plan, against the budget your family is working with.