Campus & Spiritual Life

Residential Life

Residential Life

Pursuing Your Purpose in Community

At Northwest Nazarene University, we recognize that residential life is an essential part of our students’ success. We’ve designed the on-campus experience with you in mind—to enhance your college experience, help you feel at home and set you up for success as you pursue your purpose.

Northwest Nazarene University requires all students to live on campus for at least three years. Exceptions to the residency requirement are granted for students who are over the age of 21, married or have children, graduating (current academic year) seniors or are commuting from their parent’s/guardian’s home. To find out if you qualify for a residence exception, reach out to studentlife@nnu.edu or call 208.467.8643.

According to research by the American Council on Education, U.S. college students who live on campus:

  • Are more satisfied with their college experience
  • Earn higher grade point averages
  • Are more likely to graduate

Why Live On Campus

Live in Community

On-campus living makes it easy to connect with our community of faculty, staff and students eager to support and care for one another.

Enjoy the Convenience

When you live on campus, you can roll out of bed, grab coffee on your way across campus and slide into your class in less than five minutes.

Reduce Your Stress

Off campus, you’d be responsible for paying all your bills, mowing the lawn, worrying about dinner and dishes … on campus, all those nitty-gritty details are taken care of for you.

Learn Life Skills

Make lasting memories and learn skills that’ll help you thrive in life and work. Negotiate, communicate, resolve conflict, find fun in all activities, collaborate and so much more.

Feel Safe and Secure

NNU Campus Safety Officers are available from 5:00 a.m. to 12:30 a.m., and a contracted security team patrols the campus overnight. That’s peace of mind for you—and your parents!

students moving onto campus
My family lives locally, but I opted to live on campus because of the absolute blast it is to live in the dorms. I’ve grown closer to friends I already had, in addition to making new friends, which wouldn’t have been as easy if I had been living off campus.
Courtney (Ritchey) Harper

‘22

Living Here

As a residential campus, NNU offers residence halls for first-year and sophomore students. Juniors and seniors enjoy our upperclassmen apartments. The on-campus experience is an essential part of the community we’ve created. Besides being a lot of fun, it can lead to some of the very best friends and memories you’ll make during your four years here.

NNU Community

One of the things our students love most about NNU is the community they’ve found here. Picture your professor meeting you for coffee to explore tough spiritual questions together, your new residence hall friend leaving an encouraging message on your door after a long day, or your classmate offering to meet you in the Learning Commons and work on homework together. Lifelong relationships you make in everyday interactions like these will shape who you are and who you will become. It all starts right here.

Northwest Lifestyle

The active but laid-back lifestyle that exemplifies Northwest living is alive and well in the Boise Valley … and at NNU! We’re in a best-of-all-worlds location. Soak in the solitude of outdoor adventures or immerse yourself in the landscape of Boise’s art and culture. No need to say goodbye to the latest trends either. Savor a cup of locally roasted coffee or homemade ice cream on your way to the local farmer’s market, thrift stores, escape rooms and more.