Best Student Housing in Waco for Baylor Students
Finding the right student housing in Waco can feel overwhelming. Between fully furnished high-rises, gated communities, and massive resort-style complexes, Baylor students have more options than ever — and more marketing noise to cut through. This guide compares the top student housing options near Baylor University so you can skip the sales pitch and focus on what actually matters: price, location, amenities, and whether the place will feel like home.
What to Look for in Student Housing Near Baylor
Before diving into specific complexes, here's what separates a good student apartment from a regrettable one:
- Distance to campus — Can you walk, bike, or do you need a car/shuttle?
- What's included in rent — Internet, furniture, parking, and laundry add up fast if they're extras
- Safety features — Gated access, well-lit parking, security cameras
- Lease terms — 12-month standard vs. flexible options, subletting policies
- Per-person cost — Not just total rent, but what each roommate actually pays after splitting
With those criteria in mind, here's how the top student housing in Waco stacks up.
The Top Student Housing Options Near Baylor
Centre Apartments
Location: 1901 S 11th Street — walking distance to campus
Centre is a gated community with renovated apartment homes featuring wood-inspired flooring and modern finishes. Unlike most student complexes in Waco, Centre focuses on 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom layouts (including a townhouse option) rather than the 4-5 bedroom configurations designed to pack in as many roommates as possible.
What's included:
- High-speed internet (no separate bill)
- In-unit washer/dryer (no shared laundry room)
- Parking (no premium lot fees)
- Gated entry with controlled access
Best for: Students who want a quieter, more residential feel within walking distance of Baylor — without sacrificing the amenities that actually matter. The 2-bedroom and 3-bedroom layouts work well for roommates who want real living space, not just a bed in a crowded suite. Check the full amenity list to see everything that's included.
Addison at Waco
Location: ~0.8 miles from campus
Addison markets itself as luxury student housing with fully furnished units, smart home features, and a gated entrance. Every apartment comes furnished with bedroom and living room essentials, which is a genuine plus if you're moving from out of state and don't want to haul furniture.
What's included:
- Fully furnished apartments
- Exercise center
- Gated entrance
Best for: Students who want a move-in-ready, furnished apartment and don't mind a slightly longer walk to campus. Addison invests heavily in its blog and marketing — they rank well on Google — but read reviews carefully and tour in person before committing.
Domain at Waco
Location: S University Parks Drive — minutes from campus
Domain at Waco is a large-scale student housing community offering 1, 2, and 4-bedroom apartments and townhomes. The resort-style amenities are the headline: movie theatre, pool, and modern common areas.
What's included:
- Resort-style pool
- Movie theatre
- Fitness center
Best for: Students who want the big-complex experience with social amenities and don't mind sharing a 4-bedroom unit. Domain leans into the "college lifestyle" vibe. If you prioritize community events and resort amenities over a quiet living space, this could be your pick.
The Green at Waco
Location: Near Baylor, shuttle/drive access
The Green is one of the largest apartment communities near Baylor, with 1, 2, 4, and 5-bedroom configurations. The amenity package is extensive: pool with in-water loungers, fitness center, sports courts, and even a 9-hole mini-golf course.
What's included:
- Resort-style pool and fitness center
- Sports courts and mini-golf
- Large community spaces
Best for: Students who want maximum amenities and social spaces. The trade-off is that larger communities can feel less personal, and noise can be an issue during peak hours. The 4 and 5-bedroom layouts split well for groups, but make sure you trust all your roommates — that's a lot of people sharing one lease.
The Grove at Waco
Location: Near Baylor with a free private shuttle (Mon-Fri)
The Grove offers fully furnished 2 and 3-bedroom apartments with private bedroom-bathroom suites for each resident. The free shuttle to campus runs Monday through Friday, which is a major perk if you don't have a car.
What's included:
- Fully furnished with furniture package
- In-unit washer/dryer
- High-speed internet
- Free parking and private shuttle to Baylor
Best for: Students who value convenience and the private bedroom-bathroom suite layout. The shuttle makes up for the slightly further distance. The annual $150 admin fee and $30 application fee are worth noting.
Eastgate Apartments
Location: 1912 S 5th Street — about 1.3 miles from Baylor
Eastgate offers a more traditional apartment experience with 1 and 2-bedroom units ranging from 500 to 980 square feet. Pricing starts lower than most student-marketed complexes, with units listed from around $505/mo.
What's included:
- Fully equipped kitchens
- Walk-in closets
- Pet-friendly
Best for: Budget-conscious students who want a no-frills apartment without the student-housing markup. Eastgate doesn't have the resort amenities, but if you're paying your own way and every dollar matters, the lower price point is hard to beat.
Side-by-Side Comparison
| Feature | Centre | Addison | Domain | The Green | The Grove | Eastgate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walk to Baylor | Yes | ~15 min | Drive/bike | Drive/shuttle | Shuttle | ~25 min |
| Gated/Secure | Yes | Yes | Varies | Varies | Yes | No |
| In-Unit W/D | Yes | Check unit | Check unit | Check unit | Yes | No |
| Internet Included | Yes | Check | Check | Check | Yes | No |
| Parking Included | Yes | Check | Check | Check | Yes | Check |
| Furnished | No | Yes | Varies | Varies | Yes | No |
| Bedroom Types | 2-3 BR | Studio-3 BR | 1-4 BR | 1-5 BR | 2-3 BR | 1-2 BR |
| Pet-Friendly | Yes | Check | Check | Check | Check | Yes |
The Hidden Costs Nobody Talks About
When comparing student housing in Waco, the advertised rent is never the full story. Here's what to add to your mental math:
Internet. If it's not included, budget $50–$75/mo. That's $600–$900/year your roommates need to split.
Parking. Some complexes charge $25–$75/mo for a spot, or more for covered parking. If parking is included — like at Centre — that's real money saved.
Laundry. Shared laundry rooms mean $2–$4 per load. At 2 loads/week, that's $200–$400/year per person. In-unit washer/dryer eliminates this entirely.
Furniture. Unfurnished apartments save on rent but require a $500–$1,500 upfront investment — or ongoing costs if you rent furniture monthly.
Shuttle reliance. Free shuttles sound great until they don't run on weekends, evenings, or during breaks. If you need a car anyway, factor in gas, insurance, and parking.
For a full breakdown of what things really cost in Waco, check out our student budget guide.
How to Choose the Right Fit
Here's a simple framework:
Set your real budget. Not just rent — include ALL monthly costs (utilities, internet, parking, laundry, food). Waco's cost of living is well below the national average, but expenses still add up.
Prioritize location. If you can walk to class, you save time, gas money, and stress. Apartments within a mile of Baylor's campus have a real daily-life advantage.
Tour at least 3 places. Photos lie. See the actual unit you'd live in, check water pressure, look at the parking lot at night, and talk to current residents.
Read the lease carefully. Understand early termination fees, subletting rules, and what happens if a roommate bails. Our lease questions guide covers everything to ask before signing.
Start early. The best units near Baylor fill up between October and February for the following fall. Don't wait until summer.
Ready to Compare in Person?
The best way to find your student housing in Waco is to see it yourself. Walk the grounds, check the distance to campus, test the Wi-Fi, and imagine living there for 12 months.
Schedule a tour at Centre to see the gated community, in-unit washer/dryer, and renovated apartments up close — or browse our floor plans to compare layouts and pricing online.