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Hope. Healing. Energy. Transformation.

For more than 150 years, Rochester has been a destination for patients facing the most serious and complex medical challenges. Some come here as their first option. Others find us as a last resort. But they all come to our southeastern Minnesota city in search of the same thing: solutions and hope.

Patients, visitors, learners, and residents find a Rochester that's changing. New buildings fill the skyline and pave the way for initiatives that are unleashing fresh possibilities. There's an entrepreneurial spirit around every corner that brings with it an exciting energy. And most notably, we have an underlying commitment to making Rochester the world’s premier destination medical center — and a fantastic place to learn, live, and play.

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science: Minnesota Experience

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Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science: Minnesota Experience

Calling Rochester home

There are many reasons why people come from all over the world to train at Mayo Clinic and end up calling Rochester home. It starts with our community, which welcomes people from around the globe.

Rochester is a convenient and accessible city — it’s easy to get around and enjoy everything the city has to offer. Consistently ranked as a top place to live, Rochester is a safe community with friendly neighborhoods, many activities to keep you busy, and plenty of parks and green space where you can relax and recharge.

You’ll feel like you belong from the moment you step foot on campus and go on to find many ways to get connected.

Weather

Rochester has four distinct seasons. With the changing seasons comes a unique energy, and here, you’ll experience it all.

Summer is a fan favorite and for good reason. It’s warm, sunny, and brings just enough rain to help out our gardens. People tend to head north to experience lake country and Minnesota’s beautiful north shore.

Fall brings with it more than colorful leaves. Sweater weather was made for Minnesota, with mild days that fade into cool nights, perfect for an evening bonfire.

While it’s true that winter can get a little chilly, it’s also true that we embrace the snow and cold with a number of winter activities and experiences. You’ll learn to appreciate the snow-covered city — we promise!

With spring comes a renewed sense of life. You haven’t felt a 50-degree day until you’ve felt the first 50-degree day after winter. The trees rush forth with new leaves, and you’ll be reminded of the beauty of Minnesota.

Housing

Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science does not have on-campus housing for students and trainees. However, we know housing is on your mind and do our best to offer guidance.

Housing options and neighborhoods

Whatever your need, there are many options to suit your lifestyle and preferences. Rochester has many housing options, including single-family homes, townhomes, and apartment rentals. Whether you want to rent or buy, there are many types of homes and neighborhoods to fit your lifestyle.

  • Want to live right downtown, be in the midst of the hustle and bustle, and walk or bike to campus? Check out one of the apartment complexes in and around downtown.
  • Would you like to rent a place in a quiet neighborhood, but close enough to campus to use public transportation or a park-and-ride option? You have a variety of choices.
  • Do you prefer a space you can call home in a friendly neighborhood and with a park nearby? Many students and trainees choose this option for their growing families.

Use the below table as a starting point to browse a variety of available housing options in Rochester, Minnesota.

ResourceApartmentsHomes for saleHomes for rent
Apartments.com X   X
Apartment Finder X    
Apartment Guide X    
Century 21   X  
HotPads X X X
Realtor.com X X X
RE/MAX   X  
Trulia X X X
Zillow X X X
These resources may help you find housing options near campus. Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science does not endorse any of these resources and provides them for informational purposes only.
Summer skyline of Rochester, Minnesota

Explore the Rochester community

Life in the city and beyond. Student groups and volunteering. Housing and family resources. Food and drink. Arts and music. Four seasons of sports and recreation.

About the community

Getting around

To get to campus — or anywhere in Rochester for that matter — your commute will rarely exceed 15 to 20 minutes.

And once you’re on campus, you likely won’t need to commute from place to place. All of our research, clinical, and educational buildings are within walking distance or a short shuttle ride away. To be more precise, Mayo's buildings in the downtown area stretch across about 30 square city blocks. From there, Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus, is just 10 blocks west of downtown.

To get around town, most people rely on their personal vehicles. That said, we are becoming more bike- and pedestrian-friendly every year. As the downtown area evolves, bike lanes and racks are increasingly common. You'll also find more than 85 miles of paved bike trails throughout the city, which are ideal for both bike commuting and recreation.

The Rochester Public Transit bus system has 40 weekday routes, many of which make regular stops at Mayo Clinic.

Parking on campus

Parking is limited on the Rochester campus, and most students will not have on-campus parking access. Your specific on-campus parking privileges will vary based on the educational program you're in. Expect to receive more information after you're admitted or at orientation.

All students and trainees are eligible for free Rochester Public Transit bus passes. This includes access to several park-and-ride options throughout the city, allowing you space to park your vehicle or bike and ride the remaining few miles to campus on a bus.

Campus shuttle

To get between Mayo Clinic's downtown buildings; Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus; and Mayo parking lots near downtown, there is a free intercampus shuttle system that is available to all students and staff.

Mayo Clinic entrance in Rochester, Minnesota

Check out the Mayo Clinic College of Medicine and Science campus in Rochester, Minnesota

Spaces and places. Facilities. Campus activities. 

About the campus

Maps and directions

I was initially drawn to Mayo Clinic because of its reputation, quantity of clinical experiences built into the program, small class sizes, and prospect of expert education. These all held true in my final decision, but when I arrived on campus for my interview, I was blown away by the community-oriented aspects of Mayo Clinic within my program and the hospital as a whole.

Rachel Hoverstad
Physical therapy doctoral student

Street addresses

Mayo Clinic
200 First St. SW
Rochester, MN 55905

Mayo Clinic Hospital, Methodist Campus
201 W. Center St.
Rochester, MN 55902

Mayo Clinic Hospital, Saint Marys Campus
1216 Second St. SW
Rochester, MN 55902

Maps

Rochester campus maps (PDF)

Visitor parking

See parking options if visiting campus. Current students and trainees should not park in these areas.