Deciding where to live at Iowa State University shapes your Cyclone experience—whether you're a freshman stepping toward your bachelor cap and gown, a master’s student juggling research and assignments, or a PhD candidate focused on completing your doctoral regalia. ISU’s on-campus housing covers spacious traditional halls, suite-style dorms, and grad/family apartment communities that match each stage of academic life.
This CAPGOWN guide explores 5 top undergraduate dorms and 4 graduate/family housing options, with location insights, student quotes from r/iastate, fun facts, and why each place earns student praise.
Friley Residence Hall – Largest, Central & Most Social
Address: Friley Residence Hall, 212 Beyer Ct, Ames, IA 50012
Why CAPGOWN Undergrads Love It:
- Close to engineering, food courts, and campus core.
- Home to live‑learning communities and quiet study “dungeons.”
- Very social—but offers quiet nooks, too.
Fun Fact: Friley Hall is one of the largest university residence halls in the U.S., named after President Charles Friley.
r/iastate Says:
“Friley is a super social hall and a great location on campus... rooms are small, but it will encourage you to get out of your room.”
“Friley has AC and larger rooms... Also Friley has a dining hall in the basement so you can get food without going outside.”
Helser Residence Hall – Community-Focused & West Side Access
Address: Helser Residence Hall, 221 Beyer Ct, Ames, IA 50012
Why CAPGOWN Undergrads Love It:
- Slightly smaller than Friley, AC in some rooms.
- Strong social floors and close-knit vibe.
- Excellent proximity to engineering buildings and dining.
Fun Fact: Helser shares the same west-side location as Friley but just 100 feet apart.
r/iastate Says:
“People in Helser have a great community too even if people worry about no A/C.”
“I am a huge Helser advocate… made my best friends there. It's super close to campus.”
Willow Residence Hall (part of Maple-Willow-Larch east‑campus cluster)
Address: 236 Beach Rd, Ames, IA 50011
Why CAPGOWN Undergrads Love It:
- AC throughout and consistent hallway dining access.
- Access to bus line that runs directly to central campus.
- Balanced mix of peace and convenience.
Fun Fact: Willow, Maple, and Larch are often grouped together as “MWL”—noted for their own dining facilities and reliable bus service.
r/iastate Says:
“Maple/Willow/Larch are fantastic because they have AC + one of the best dining halls just downstairs.”
“Depends if you value being close to class or close to food.”
Larch Residence Hall (east-side MWL suite community)
Address: 140 Beach Rd, Ames, IA 50011
Why CAPGOWN Undergrads Love It:
- Similar to Willow: suite-style rooms with AC.
- Very homelike and calmer than central dorms.
- Quick access to student recreation and dining options.
Fun Fact: MWL complexes were remodeled in late 1990s and now include program-specific living-learning floors.
r/iastate Says:
“Maple/Willow/Larch are the same deal... Depends if you value being close to class or food.”
“Eaton/Martin or Union Drive Community for suites, or Friley for traditional dorms.”
Union Drive Community—Eaton & Martin (suite-style west campus)
Why CAPGOWN Undergrads Love It:
- Suite-style with shared bathroom per pod.
- Quiet and ideal for upperclass or focused students.
- Still walkable to engineering classes and food.
Fun Fact: Eaton and Martin opened in the early 2000s and were specifically built to offer suite living adjacent to core academic buildings.
r/iastate Says:
“Union Drive Community with Eaton/Martin for suites… people in Helser have a great community too.”
““I recommend Martin… it’s on west side and has AC.”
Frederiksen Court Apartments
Address: Iowa State University, 2129 Hawthorn Ct Dr, Ames, IA 50010
Why CAPGOWN Grads Love It:
- Furnished apartments with private bedrooms, full kitchen, living room.
- Quiet community near campus resources.
- Student-friendly lease terms and affordable pricing.
Fun Fact: Frederiksen Court offers apartment-style living for upperclassmen and grad students and is surrounded by green space.
SUV Apartments (Student Upperclass Village)
Why CAPGOWN Grads Love It:
- Suite-style with common lounge, bathroom, kitchenette.
- Easy bond with other students preparing for next phases.
- Close to dining and Central Campus.
Fun Fact: SUV Apartments opened in mid-1990s as one of ISU's first upperclass communities, aimed at students seeking independence.
Off-Campus Affiliated Apartment Options (e.g., Lincoln Way or Heather Ridge areas)
Why CAPGOWN Grads & Families Appreciate It:- More spacious units, pet-inclusive, and lease flexibility.
- Local off-campus communities still conveniently close to campus and ISU shuttle routes.
- Great for those balancing academics and family life.
Fun Fact: Many graduate students opt for these areas for better affordability and privacy while still being within Ames transit coverage.
Graduate/Family Housing Clusters (e.g. West Ames complexes)
Why CAPGOWN Students Prefer Them:
- Multi-bedroom units with free laundry, playgrounds, and family-friendly setups.
- Supportive community networks, peer events, and wellness programming.
Fun Fact: Demand for family housing is high; ISU offers waitlist priority for continuing students.
Final Thoughts
Iowa State University offers diverse housing—from active and social freshmen halls like Friley and Helser to quiet suite-style and family-oriented apartments for upperclass and grad students. Whether you’re forming friendships in a living-learning community, studying in a suite, or raising a family in an ISU apartment, there’s a home for every Cyclone.
When it's time to cross the stage, CAPGOWN is ready. Our Iowa State bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral regalia deliver comfort, tradition, and true Cyclone pride. Wherever you lived, celebrate your journey in style.
