San Francisco: Best Student Accommodation for International Students 2026

Finding the Best Student Accommodation for International Students means balancing rent, university location, meal-plan requirements, privacy and contract length. Because San Francisco housing is expensive, university residence or a private room in shared accommodation is usually more realistic than renting an entire apartment alone.

For students at San Francisco State University, Village at Centennial Square is particularly relevant because SFSU specifically designates it for transfer and international students. Manzanita Square is another strong option because it offers both academic-year and year-round contracts in 2026–2027. University of San Francisco students can choose traditional residence halls or apartment-style housing such as Loyola Village and Lone Mountain East.

Best Student Accommodation for International Students: Quick Comparison

Actual costs depend on room type, meal plan, lease duration and availability.

1. Village at Centennial Square – Best for SFSU International Students

Village at Centennial Square (VCS) should be one of the first options considered by international students attending San Francisco State University.

SFSU officially identifies VCS as a mixed community for transfer and international students, with an academic-year housing agreement. The university’s international housing guidance also describes it as centrally located with convenient access to campus facilities and resources.

International students arriving before standard move-in can request early arrival. For Fall 2026, approved international-student early move-in was available from August 14–17, subject to advance arrangements and additional charges.

Best for

• Newly arriving international students.
• Transfer students.
• Students who want to live directly at SFSU.
• Students wanting university-managed accommodation.

2. Manzanita Square – Best Flexible SFSU Housing

Manzanita Square is one of SFSU’s most flexible accommodation choices in 2026–2027.

Unlike many campus residences that cover only the academic year, Manzanita offers both:

• Academic-year housing
• Year-round housing

SFSU notes that academic-year spaces have limited availability and advises students to apply early.

This makes Manzanita particularly attractive to international students remaining in San Francisco for summer classes, internships or employment.

SFSU also includes Wi-Fi, utilities, maintenance services, security and 24-hour on-call support within its campus housing fees.

Best for

Students who need housing beyond the standard Fall–Spring academic calendar.

3. USF Traditional Residence Halls – Best for First-Year Students

University of San Francisco students seeking a traditional campus experience can choose halls such as Gillson, Toler, Hayes-Healy, Fromm and Lone Mountain North.

For 2026–2027, USF charges:

• Double room: $12,880/year
• Small single: $15,950/year
• Large single: $17,190/year

A meal plan is mandatory in traditional residence halls. The standard plan costs $6,220 annually, while larger plans cost up to $8,950.

Therefore, a double room plus the standard meal plan costs approximately:

$12,880 + $6,220 = $19,100 per academic year

Best for

First-year international students who value campus community and a simpler transition to studying in the United States.

4. Loyola Village – Best Apartment-Style USF Option

Students wanting more independent accommodation can consider Loyola Village.

For 2026–2027:

• Type I double: $15,800/year
• Type II double: $16,250
• Type III double: $16,800
• Large single: $18,670
• Single apartment: $19,900

The minimum apartment-style meal plan costs $2,430 annually.

Unlike a traditional dorm room, apartment-style housing gives students a living arrangement closer to renting privately while still remaining within university housing.

Best for

Students who want more independence without dealing directly with a private landlord.

5. Lone Mountain East – Best Modern USF Residence

Lone Mountain East combines apartment-style living with campus convenience.

The residence contains four-bedroom/two-bath units with single bedrooms as well as two-bedroom/two-bath units where bedrooms are shared. It also includes Wi-Fi and apartment-style living spaces.

For 2026–2027:

• Double room: $17,050/year
• Large single: $19,610/year

The apartment meal plan starts at $2,430 per year.

Best for

Continuing students who want modern accommodation and greater privacy than a traditional dorm.

6. Fulton Flats – Best USF Option Without Mandatory Meal Plan

Food costs can make student housing significantly more expensive.

USF’s Fulton Flats charges:

• Double room: $17,050/year
• Large single: $19,610/year

Importantly, USF lists no mandatory board plan for Fulton Flats, unlike its traditional halls and several apartment-style residences.

This gives students greater control over grocery and dining expenses.

Best for

Students who cook regularly and want to avoid paying for a compulsory university meal plan.

7. Shared Off-Campus Housing – Best for Independence

Students who cannot secure residence or want more freedom can rent privately.

USF operates an official off-campus housing portal with rental and roommate listings. Current international-student-friendly examples include:

• Private bedroom near the Hilltop campus: around $1,500/month
• Another shared-housing bedroom: around $2,000/month
• Private studio: around $2,500/month

These are individual current listings rather than citywide averages and can change quickly.

USF’s portal also allows students to create roommate profiles, which can be especially valuable in San Francisco’s expensive rental market.

Should International Students Choose Campus Housing?

University accommodation is usually strongest for students who want:

• Furnished housing.
• Predictable contracts.
• Campus proximity.
• Utilities included.
• Student support.
• Less risk when arranging accommodation from abroad.

Private shared housing is more attractive for students who want:

• Greater independence.
• Their own cooking arrangements.
• More neighborhood choices.
• Flexible roommate arrangements.
• Potentially lower costs when sharing.

SFSU’s own international-student guidance notes that finding permanent off-campus housing can take one to three weeks and recommends temporary accommodation after arrival when students have not already secured a reliable long-term option.

Which San Francisco Student Accommodation Is Best in 2026?

For international students:

• Best for SFSU international students: Village at Centennial Square.
• Best SFSU year-round option: Manzanita Square.
• Best USF first-year option: Traditional residence hall.
• Best apartment-style USF option: Loyola Village.
• Best modern USF option: Lone Mountain East.
• Best USF choice without mandatory meal plan: Fulton Flats.
• Best for independence: Shared off-campus apartment.
• Best budget strategy: Share a bedroom or apartment rather than rent alone.

Apply for university housing early. At SFSU, transfer and international students who wanted to participate in 2026–2027 room selection had an April 30, 2026 application and roommate-selection deadline, while USF opened its new-student housing application on February 1.

Official Sources

1. San Francisco State University – Housing & Meal Plan Fees 2026–2027
2. SFSU – International Student Housing Information
3. University of San Francisco – 2026–2027 Room and Board Rates
4. University of San Francisco – Official Off-Campus Housing Portal