Duke University's Gothic West Campus, anchored by the iconic Duke Chapel, sits alongside a separate East Campus reserved specifically for first-year students, who live and learn together in halls including Southgate, Pegram, and Alspaugh.
Enrollment
17,499
Total Students
Freshman Class
1,631
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 15, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
5%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Each student is assigned a two-hour move-in window based on their residence hall, running from 8 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. total - print and display your assigned parking placard (emailed July 29) on your dashboard throughout move-in. Volunteers help unload while one person stays with the vehicle; families then park in the Science Drive Garage on West Campus and take a shuttle back to East Campus, running until 5 p.m. Dinner on Abele Quad and a Class of 2030 football jersey pickup follow move-in from 4-6:30 p.m.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- First-year move-in is Saturday, Aug. 15, with each student assigned a two-hour window based on their residence hall between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m.
- Check-in location
- Check in at Brodie Gym on East Campus.
- Parking
- Only one vehicle is allowed on East Campus during your move-in window - display your emailed parking placard on the dashboard. After unloading, park at the Science Drive Garage on West Campus and take the continuous shuttle back to East Campus, which runs until 5 p.m.
- What you'll receive
- Your room key, DukeCard, a Duke BluePrint planner, and orientation materials.
- Vehicle restrictions
- You can only move into your residence hall during your assigned window - early arrival isn't accommodated, and halls stay locked until then.
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
First-year halls (14)
Reserved for first-year students
Alspaugh
First-year onlyBassett
First-year onlyBell Tower
First-year onlyBlackwell
First-year only
Show 10 moreShow fewer
Brown
First-year onlyEast House
First-year onlyGilbert-Addoms
First-year onlyGiles
First-year onlyPegram
First-year onlyRandolph
First-year onlySouthgate
First-year onlyTrinity
First-year onlyWest House
First-year onlyWilson
Suite · Coed
First-year only
Residence halls (8)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Craven Quad
Crowell Quad
Edens Quad
Few Quad
Show 4 moreShow fewer
Hollows Quad
Suite · Coed
Keohane Quad
Kilgo Quad
Wannamaker Quad
Apartments (2)
Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students
301 Swift
Apartment · Coed
Blue Light
Apartment · Coed
Housing Links
Who can live where
- First-year only:
- Reserved for incoming first-year students.
- Residence halls:
- Not marked first-year only, so they may also house returning students. Assignment follows the school's housing process.
- Apartments:
- Apartment-style housing, often for sophomores and up. Confirm eligibility with the housing office.
Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 16 - August 21, 2026
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
$19,800
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- Walgreens1.3 miles
- CVS Pharmacy1.6 miles
- Target2.7 miles
- Walmart4.7 miles
- Wegmans5.5 miles
- Publix6.3 miles
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 Duke University.
Share
Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.
Dates last checked September 2026.