Emory University Graduate Student Housing Options

Emory University recognizes the importance of providing suitable housing options for its graduate and professional students. These options range from on-campus communities like The Ridge to off-campus apartments, offering a variety of living arrangements to suit different needs and preferences.

On-Campus Housing: The Ridge

The Ridge is Emory's graduate housing community located on campus. It is designed to address the need for graduate housing on Emory’s core campus and provide a space for Emory graduate students to gather and support community building. The Ridge offers fully furnished studios, 1-bedroom, and 2-bedroom apartments. Utilities and internet service are included in the monthly rental cost. A dedicated parking garage with space for bike storage is also available. The Ridge is not limited to one program or college, allowing students from across disciplines to live together and form connections.

Key Features of The Ridge

Location: Situated at Haygood Drive and North Decatur Road, The Ridge is a 15-minute or less walk to every graduate program, lab, and library on Emory’s Atlanta campus. Emory shuttle and MARTA bus access are also available.
Units: The community features 535 beds in a mix of studio, one-bedroom, and two-bedroom units.
Amenities: The Ridge includes a graduate commons with group and individual study spaces, lounge areas, recreational areas, and a kitchen for group cooking. It also has a gym and leisure center.
Sustainability: The building is anticipated to be LEED Gold certified.

Living at The Ridge

Living at The Ridge offers several advantages, including convenience, safety, and community. It eliminates commuting issues and provides a safe environment with peers. The rooms are furnished, and utilities are included, relieving anxiety around logistics like procuring furniture or turning on utilities.

Applying to Live at The Ridge

Current and incoming Emory graduate and professional students can apply online. An individual lease provides each resident with their own separate lease agreement and responsibility for their rental installments. The typical lease term is approximately 11.5 months, coinciding with the university's academic calendar. The lease agreement reflects the total rent amount, typically divided into 12 equal installments due August 1 - July 1.

Roommate Matching

The Ridge offers a roommate matching program powered by RoomSync, a roommate matching app. You can create a personal profile, search, filter, chat, and match with other residents who will be living in the community.

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Recurring Payments

You can set up recurring payments through the Resident Portal using a credit card, debit card, or ACH payment.

Insurance

The community does not require residents to obtain insurance, but it is highly recommended. Coverage for your personal belongings is not included as part of the License Agreement.

Parking

Parking is available through Emory Transportation & Parking Services on a first-come, first-served basis.

Off-Campus Housing

Emory students also have the option to live off-campus. There are a number of apartment complexes nearby.

Costs

Housing costs vary greatly depending upon location, amenities, and the age of the building. Generally, rent will range from $800 - $2000 per month. Usually, the rent payment does not include utility costs like electricity, heat, internet, or cable. Students and scholars should be prepared to pay some initial start-up costs. These costs will vary by landlord/management company but may include the following:

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First and last month's rent
Security deposit
Household necessities (furniture, furnishings, cookware, etc.)
Fees to establish utilities like electricity, water, natural gas, cable, and internet

Utilities

If renting an apartment off-campus, students/scholars should ask which utilities are included. Sometimes apartment complexes will include utilities such as water and garbage pickup in their rent payment. Usually, the renter will need to contact utility companies to set up their service for electricity, cable and internet, natural gas, etc.

As of December 2020, the following companies do not require a Social Security number (SSN) to set up service:

Electricity: Georgia Power is the local electricity provider. Start electric service by registering for a Georgia Power account online.
Gas: Not all apartments in the US use gas, so renters should find out if it is needed first. Gas South is one option. Start service by registering for a Gas South account online or call 1-877-332-5442.
Water: The water provider depends on the county.

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- For Dekalb County Residents: Get information about Dekalb County water service and/or download the application. In the space for the Social Security number, write “non-US citizen.”

Furniture

Normally, rentals in the US come unfurnished. They will have a stove, oven and refrigerator, and depending on the apartment/house, it may include other appliances such as microwave, dishwasher, washing machine, dryer, etc. In most cases, the renter is responsible for providing their own furniture (bed, sofa, chairs, desk, etc.), furnishings/home goods (cookware, bedding, towels, etc.) and smaller appliances. Students and scholars can either rent or buy furniture while at Emory.

Questions to Ask Before Signing a Lease

Before signing a lease agreement, students/scholars might want to ask the following questions:

How long is the lease?
When is rent due each month?
Do I need to pay a security deposit? If so, how much is it?

Temporary Housing

Upon their arrival in Atlanta, some international students and scholars may need temporary accommodations to allow time to find more permanent off-campus housing.

Additional Housing Resources

Campus Crossings-Briarcliff is located near campus and offers furnished one-, two-, and three-bedroom apartments to Emory graduate and professional students. Contact the leasing office by completing their online form or by calling 844-792-5107.

Safety Tips

Before starting a rental search, review off-campus housing's safety tips to avoid scams and fraud.

Phase II of The Ridge

Planning for Phase II is currently underway, with an estimated opening as soon as 2027. Phase II is envisioned to have approximately 400 additional beds and will be built adjacent to Phase I, wrapping around the parking structure. When both phases are complete, Emory anticipates having nearly 1,000 beds of housing for its graduate and professional students.

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