Columbia College Chicago is a private arts and media college in the South Loop of Chicago, founded in 1890 as the Columbia School of Oratory. It has no residential campus in the traditional sense, and students live in apartment-style and shared residence halls in and near the Loop. New first-year students are encouraged, but not required by the pages fetched, to live on campus, and the college has no parking of its own.
Enrollment
5,368
Total Students
Freshman Class
902
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 31 - Sep 3, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
74%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Move-in for 30 East is Monday, Aug. 31 and Tuesday, Sept. 1 from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., and Wednesday, Sept. 2 and Thursday, Sept. 3 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. There are no move-ins on Friday, Sept. 4 because of New Student Connections and Convocation. University Center residents get a separate reservation email from UC Housing. The campus has no storage, so everything must fit in your room, and shipments are accepted only four days before your arrival date.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Check-in location
- Check in at your assigned residence building.
- Parking
- The college has no parking facilities of its own. Nearby public lots typically cost $15 to $25, and street parking is not advised. Families usually unload while the student checks in, and the car should not be left unattended. Wheeled carts are limited, and staff hold a state ID while you borrow one.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned move-in window - arriving early may mean waiting until your time slot.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck - campus carts can run out quickly during busy move-in periods.
- Have a parking backup plan - spaces near residence halls can fill up quickly, so know where you can unload if your preferred area is full.
- Watch the loading-zone time limit - many campuses require you to move your vehicle to longer-term parking after unloading.
Housing & Dorms
30 East Balbo
Apartment-style · Coed
University Center
Orientation
Orientation tips
- Register as early as your class allows - popular session dates fill up first.
- Bring a parent/guardian if separate family programming is offered.
- Check whether placement testing or advising sign-ups happen the same day.
Costs
Room & Board
—
Not available
Nearby Essentials
We haven't listed nearby stores for this campus yet. Use the Campus Map link to find essentials near campus.
More Links
Checklists
Get the Ultimate College Move-In Checklist
A free, printable packing checklist covering everything from bedding to important documents - built for any freshman, including yours at Columbia College Chicago.
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Dates last checked October 2026.