A University of Oregon double with a meal plan costs between about $13,177 and $18,907 for 2026–27, depending on the plan, and Apartment List puts Eugene’s overall median rent at $1,232 a month in October 2026, down 1.8% in a year. First-year students must live on campus unless they obtain an exemption, so the real choice for most newcomers is which hall and meal plan, not whether to rent privately.
This guide covers UO room and board rates, the live-on rule and application dates, the free bus pass, Oregon deposit law and rental-scam checks. Each figure carries its source and year, and the last section lists what I could not confirm.
Cost at a glance: what to add up
Before you compare the prices on this page, check what each figure actually covers:
- Rent period: per week, month or semester, and per person or per room.
- What is included: utilities, internet, contents insurance and any meal plan.
- One-off costs: deposit, application or booking fee, and any first-month payment.
- Getting to campus: travel passes, or the extra cost of living further out.
- Currency: prices here are in the local currency. Convert them at your bank’s current rate and add the transfer fee. Rates change daily, so we do not publish rupee figures.
Anything we could not confirm from an official source is flagged on this page as “could not verify”, so read those notes before you rely on a figure.
UO room and board rates, 2026–27 (academic year)
| Hall and room type | Lowest-priced meal plan package (MP #6) | Highest-priced package (MP #1) |
|---|---|---|
| Carson, triple with sink | $11,282 | $17,012 |
| Living Learning Center, triple | $13,134 | $18,864 |
| Earl, Riley or Justice Bean, double | $13,177 | $18,907 |
| Global Scholars Hall, triple with sink | $13,264 | $18,994 |
| Global Scholars Hall, double with sink | $15,653 | $21,383 |
| Living Learning Center, single | $19,851 | $25,581 |
| Global Scholars Hall, single with bath | $21,265 | $26,995 |
| Carson, single with bath | $21,471 | $27,201 |
UO prices room and meal plan together, in packages by meal plan number. The rate sheet also lists intermediate packages (MP #5 to MP #2), and I could not see what each meal plan number includes. UO’s separate rate proposal mentions a $423 annual discount for returning residents (not Yasui Hall).
The live-on requirement and housing guarantee
All incoming first-year undergraduates at UO must live on campus, according to University Housing. The FAQ narrows this to first-year students registered for 12 or more credits. UO advises living on campus for at least the first year.
Exemptions are normally approved for students who:
- graduated from high school more than one calendar year before the starting term;
- are over 21 on the first day of the starting term;
- live with a parent or legal guardian (owning property near Eugene does not count);
- are married, in a registered domestic partnership or civil union, or caring for a dependent who lives with them;
- are veterans or on active duty;
- join a UO-sponsored programme that requires living away, or have a disability or religious, moral or ethical belief that campus housing cannot accommodate;
- have deferred admission through a gap-year programme.
Other reasons are reviewed case by case. Requests go through the My Housing portal, and you should wait for written confirmation before assuming approval. The exemption deadline is July 31, but the live-on page does not name a year, so confirm it with University Housing.
Housing is guaranteed for first-time, full-time students coming straight from high school who have completed residence hall registration. Transfer, returning, exchange and visiting students are not guaranteed a space and join an interest wait list ranked by earliest registration date. These are the dates for the fall 2026 intake, as published by UO:
| Step | Date (fall 2026 intake) |
|---|---|
| Housing registration opens | 1 December |
| Last day to register for first room-selection group | 28 February |
| Group 2 registration window | 1 March to 1 May |
| Last day for a full refund of the initial payment | 1 June |
| Room selection for all students | Mid-July |
| Last day to file a live-on exemption | 31 July |
| Main move-in days | 24 and 25 September 2026 |
Registration needs a $350 initial housing payment, fully refundable if you cancel by 1 June, plus a non-refundable $50 registration fee. Students who qualify for an application-fee waiver may defer the $350 to their fall bill. UO says all dates may change. Room selection does not guarantee a specific room, roommate or hall.
Getting around: the free LTD bus pass
Students registered for classes can get a free Lane Transit District pass through UO Transportation Services. The 2026–27 pass is valid from 29 June 2026 to 15 October 2027 and covers all LTD routes in Lane County. You collect a benefit code from the Transportation Services Parking Portal and redeem it in the Umo app or on a Umo/TouchPass tap card. You can use only one of the two at a time. UO’s page does not say that a UO ID alone is enough, so set the pass up before you rely on it.
Oregon deposit rules for private rentals
Oregon’s deposit statute, ORS 90.300, sets rules that matter if you move off campus. The summary below comes from the statute text (2023 edition with 2024 session changes) and is not legal advice.
| Rule | What ORS 90.300 says |
|---|---|
| Return deadline | Within 31 days after the tenancy ends and you hand back possession |
| Deductions | Written accounting stating the specific basis of each claim, due in the same 31 days |
| What can be kept | Only what is reasonably necessary for unpaid rent, other defaults, or damage beyond ordinary wear and tear |
| Late or bad-faith withholding | Tenant may recover twice the amount wrongly withheld |
| Increasing a deposit | No new or increased deposit in the first year, with narrow exceptions |
| Minimum stay | A deposit cannot be forfeited for leaving a month-to-month tenancy early |
Photograph the room at move-in and keep the written lease and every payment record. The statute page I read sets no maximum deposit, so check the figure in your own lease.
Avoiding rental scams
The Federal Trade Commission lists these red flags in its rental-listing guidance (page modified August 2026): rent far below local levels, pressure to decide fast, an owner who is abroad or will not show the property, and requests for wire transfers, gift cards or cryptocurrency. It also warns against handing over your Social Security number or licence photo before agreeing to rent. A video tour alone is not proof, because scammers copy genuine listings, so see the place in person or send someone you trust. Contact the owner using details you already hold, and report scams at ReportFraud.ftc.gov.
Private rental in Eugene
Apartment List reports an overall median of $1,232 a month in October 2026. That figure covers all unit types, so it is not a single-room price. I have no verified one-bedroom, two-bedroom or single-room figure for Eugene, and I have not ranked neighbourhoods or listed private blocks.
What I could not verify
I could not confirm Lane Community College housing, because I found no official published housing offer. I also have no verified 2027–28 UO rates or application dates, Eugene room-only rental prices, or what each UO meal plan number includes. The UO live-on page carries no year. The ORS 90.300 text I read excluded the 2025 edition, so check for later amendments.
Talk to us about your budget and city
Not sure which option suits you or your family? Send us your city, budget and room type, and we will point you to the right guide and the next steps to check. Students and parents are both welcome to ask.
Frequently asked questions
How much does University of Oregon housing cost?
Room and board packages for 2026–27 range from $11,282 for a Carson triple on the lowest plan to $27,201 for a Carson single with bath on the highest, depending on room and meal plan.
What is the median rent in Eugene?
$1,232 a month overall in October 2026, according to Apartment List.
Do first-year students have to live on campus at the University of Oregon?
Yes, all incoming first-year undergraduates must live on campus unless University Housing approves an exemption. Exemptions cover, among others, students over 21, those living with a parent or guardian, and veterans, and the request deadline is July 31.
Is UO housing guaranteed?
Yes for first-time, full-time students coming directly from high school who complete residence hall registration. Transfer, returning, exchange and visiting students are not guaranteed and go on an interest wait list.
How soon must a landlord return my deposit in Oregon?
Within 31 days after the tenancy ends and you return possession, under ORS 90.300. Any deduction needs a written accounting, and a landlord who misses the deadline or withholds in bad faith can owe twice the amount.
Do UO students ride Eugene buses for free?
Registered students can get a free LTD pass for 2026–27 using a benefit code from the UO Transportation Services Parking Portal. It runs from 29 June 2026 to 15 October 2027.
Comparing Pacific Northwest options? See our guides to student accommodation in Portland, Seattle and Pullman, or browse all US student accommodation guides.
Sources
- University of Oregon: 2026-27 room and board rates
- University of Oregon: 2026-27 proposed housing rates
- University of Oregon Housing: live-on requirement
- University of Oregon Housing: admitted students, fall 2026
- University of Oregon Transportation Services: LTD bus pass, 2026-27
- ORS 90.300: security deposits and prepaid rent
- Federal Trade Commission: rental listing scams
- Apartment List: Eugene rent report
All checked 5 November 2026.
