Lancaster Commons
- Lancaster Commons is a subsidized off campus apartment complex reserved for masters level students who have demonstrated significant financial need.
- Located approximately 2.6 miles from Duke’s West Campus on 2709 Western Bypass, this apartment community is ideal for first year Masters level students and masters students with families.
IMPORTANT: We cannot accommodate postdocs, short term, or visiting scholars.
Featuring unfurnished 1-, 2-, and 3-bedroom units.
- Priority applications for masters students who are new to Durham, NC and demonstrate significant financial need.
- All appliances are included in the apartment: stove, oven, refrigerator, dishwasher, microwave, and washer/dryer.
- Utilities such as water, electricity, and high speed internet are included in the rate.
- Complimentary parking on site
- Duke Transportation bus route direct to West Campus. Also within the Duke Vans service area.
- Pets are not allowed at Lancaster Commons, except for registered service animals.
- Elevators are present at all buildings in Lancaster North (2703, 2705, 2707, 2711, 2713).
- Elevators are not available in Lancaster South (2721, 2723, 2725, 2727), which houses only 1-bedroom apartments.
Lancaster Commons Rates
Family member housing is ONLY available at Lancaster Commons.
If you are applying for housing with a family member you will NOT be able to live in 300 Swift.
Students applying with a family members will only be eligible for a 2-bedroom apartment and will be charged for the occupancy of both bedrooms if assigned with a family member.
Assignments will be based on availability. It is not a guarantee that students would be offered an assignment from their top housing location.
**These APARTMENT rates are per student. Apartment rates are fixed. Students will be charged the full assignment length (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) regardless of move in/move out arrival date.**
Fall 2026 Rate (6-Month): $9,187
Spring 2027 Rate (6-Month): $9,187
- Master's students can view charges through their Bursar account. Master's students can also set up monthly payments via NelNet. This would need to be set up early in the Fall semester.
- A fee will be charged for late payments (1.25% of the outstanding balance).
- Unpaid bills will result in a hold being placed on students' bursar accounts, preventing students from registering for classes for the next term.
- PhD student charges will be reflected in their Bursar accounts. PhD students can also set up payroll deduction or NelNet. This would need to be set up early in the Fall semester.
**These rates are per student*
NOTE: Apartment rates are fixed. Students will be charged the full assignment length (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) regardless of move in/move out arrival date.
Fall 2026 Rate (6-Month): $5,880
Spring 2027 Rate (6-Month): $5,880
- Master's students can view charges through their Bursar account. Master's students can also set up monthly payments via NelNet. This would need to be set up early in the Fall semester.
- A fee will be charged for late payments (1.25% of the outstanding balance).
- Unpaid bills will result in a hold being placed on students' bursar accounts, preventing students from registering for classes for the next term.
- PhD student charges will be reflected in their Bursar accounts. PhD students can also set up payroll deduction or NelNet. This would need to be set up early in the Fall semester.
**These rates are per student*
NOTE: Apartment rates are fixed. Students will be charged the full assignment length (July 1, 2026 - June 30, 2027) regardless of move in/move out arrival date.
Fall 2026 Rate (6-Month): $4,410
Spring 2027 Rate (6-Month): $4,410
- Master's students can view charges through their Bursar account. Master's students can also set up monthly payments via NelNet. This would need to be set up early in the Fall semester.
- A fee will be charged for late payments (1.25% of the outstanding balance).
- Unpaid bills will result in a hold being placed on students' bursar accounts, preventing students from registering for classes for the next term.
- PhD student charges will be reflected in their Bursar accounts. PhD students can also set up payroll deduction or NelNet. This would need to be set up early in the Fall semester.
- Assignment rates for the 2026-2027 academic year include all utilities (electricity, water, internet, trash/recycling).
- There is no application fee or security deposit.
- Payments will be billed to students’ bursar accounts on a semesterly basis. The Bursar's office has an option for monthly billing (see information about that here). PhD students who receive a monthly stipend can have their rent deducted from their stipend each month.
Assignments are not subject to renewal; students will need to find other accommodations beyond June 30, 2026. No exceptions.
It is important for you to understand your commitment to the Housing License / Terms and Addendum. By agreeing to the License, you are bound to on-campus housing for the entire length of the License (July 1, 2026 through June 30, 2027).
Please note: Once students receive assignment information via their Duke email, they will be given a deadline to take action. If Duke receives no timely communication/action from the student, the housing assignment will be automatically canceled.
Email housing@duke.edu regarding graduate housing applications, assignments, and move-in processes.
For off campus housing questions, email offcampus@duke.edu.
Resources
Lancaster Commons driving distance from:
- Harris Teeter - 4.7 miles
- Whole Foods - 5.0 miles
- Duham Co-Op Market - 3.6 miles
- Compare Foods - 3.5 miles
- Food Lion - 2.5 miles
- Dollar General - 2.4 miles
- Wells Fargo - 1.7 miles
- FedEx Shipping - 4.0 miles
- UPS Shipping - 4.8 miles
- Spectrum Store - 4.0 miles
- Nasher Museum - 3.1 miles
- Duke Graduate School - 3.0 miles
- Duke West Campus - 3.2 miles
- Duke East Campus - 4.0 miles