Medellín has three universities that draw significant numbers of international students: EAFIT (El Poblado), UPB (Laureles), and UdeA (north of downtown). Where you end up renting depends almost entirely on which campus you're studying at, because the commute across the valley during class hours is not worth fighting.
University Locations and Their Rental Orbits
EAFIT — El Poblado (Carrera 49 N° 7 Sur 50)
EAFIT's campus is in the southern part of El Poblado, near the Aguacatala metro station. The student rental orbit extends from Manila and Astorga (walkable, 10–15 minutes) south to Ciudad del Río and north into the Poblado core. Prices in this radius are the highest in the city for student housing — a private habitación (room in a shared apartment) in the EAFIT zone runs COP 1.2–2.0M/month; a studio or 1BR runs COP 2.5–5.0M furnished.
Budget alternative: Envigado, one metro stop south at Envigado station, drops prices 20–30% while keeping the commute under 20 minutes by metro or bus.
UPB — Laureles (Circular 1 No. 70-01)
UPB's main campus sits in the heart of Laureles, near the Estadio metro station and the La 70 corridor. This is the most affordable of the three for student housing because Laureles has a deep supply of habitaciones in older residential buildings. A room near UPB runs COP 800K–1.5M/month; a studio COP 1.5–2.5M. The neighborhood is flat, walkable, and dense with cheap restaurants — the best student-life geography in the city.
Budget alternative: La Floresta and Bolivariana, one and two metro stops west, have even lower prices with a 10-minute metro commute.
UdeA — Northern Medellín (Calle 67 No. 53-108)
Universidad de Antioquia's campus is north of the city center, near the Universidad metro station. The surrounding neighborhoods (Aranjuez, Sevilla, Prado) are estrato 2–3 — the most affordable in the city — but less common for international students due to limited English-speaking services and a rougher urban texture. Most foreign UdeA students rent in Laureles or El Centro and commute via the metro (Universidad station is on Line A).
| University | Nearest Metro | Room (Habitación) | Studio / 1BR | Student Estrato |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EAFIT | Aguacatala | COP 1.2–2.0M ($380–640) | COP 2.5–5.0M ($800–1,600) | 5–6 |
| UPB | Estadio | COP 800K–1.5M ($260–480) | COP 1.5–2.5M ($480–800) | 4–5 |
| UdeA | Universidad | COP 500K–1.0M ($160–320) | COP 1.0–1.8M ($320–580) | 2–3 |
USD at TRM COP 3,126 (8 Sep 2026). Ranges from Fincaraíz/Metrocuadrado listing medians near each campus.
Habitación vs Full Apartment
A habitación is a private room in a shared apartment or house — you get your own bedroom (usually furnished with a bed, desk, and closet) and share the kitchen, bathroom, and common areas. Utilities and internet are almost always included. This is the standard student arrangement in Colombia and the most affordable option. Expect COP 800K–2.0M/month depending on zone and quality.
A studio or 1BR apartment gives you privacy but costs 2–3× more and usually doesn't include utilities. For exchange students on a single semester, a habitación is the obvious choice unless budget is not a constraint.
Spanish Schools: A Different Rental Pattern
If you're in Medellín for a Spanish language program (not a university degree), your rental needs are different: shorter stays (1–3 months), furnished, month-to-month. Most Spanish schools are clustered in El Poblado (near EAFIT) and Laureles (near La 70). The coliving and furnished-monthly market serves this segment directly — see our coliving vs apartment vs room comparison for the format decision.
Where to Search
University bulletin boards and WhatsApp groups are the best source for habitaciones near campus — UPB and EAFIT both have student housing groups where rooms are posted before they hit public platforms. Ask your admissions office or international student coordinator for the current group links.
Fincaraíz and Metrocuadrado list habitaciones and studios — filter by barrio and price range. Facebook Marketplace and local Facebook groups (search "arriendo habitación Laureles" or "cuarto EAFIT") are active but require Spanish.
For furnished month-to-month options targeting international students specifically, platforms like Casacol, Blueground, and local operators list studios near EAFIT. Prices are higher than the local habitación market but include furniture, WiFi, and flexible terms.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Yes — renting a room (habitación) doesn't require a specific visa. However, the 180-day tourist limit still applies, and some landlords may prefer tenants with a cédula de extranjería for longer commitments. Month-to-month arrangements are the safest for tourist-stamp renters.
The surrounding neighborhoods offer the lowest rents in the city, but most foreign students prefer Laureles for its safety, walkability, and international-student community. The metro commute from Laureles to UdeA (Estadio → Universidad) takes about 15 minutes.
Almost always. A standard habitación includes a bed, desk, closet, and shared kitchen/bathroom access. WiFi and utilities are typically included in the monthly price. Bring your own towels and bedding — some provide them, many don't.
January (start of the Colombian academic year) and July/August (northern-hemisphere exchange semesters). Start searching 1–2 months ahead for these windows. Mid-semester (March–May, September–November) has more availability and lower prices.
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