Minnesota State University, Mankato's 303-acre campus overlooks the Minnesota River valley, with students housed in residence communities including Crawford, McElroy, and Preska, all clustered near the University Dining Center and library at the heart of campus.
Enrollment
15,721
Total Students
Freshman Class
3,349
Approx.
Move-In Dates
August 20 - August 23, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
89%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Dates
Select an arrival timeslot beginning July 20 in the Housing & Dining Portal - slots are offered on a first-come, first-served basis in 15-30 minute windows throughout the day. Go directly to your residence community lobby or the Stadium Heights Office to check in upon arrival. Meal plans begin at 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 20.
August 20 - August 23, 2026
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day tips
- Arrive during your assigned window - early arrivals often just wait longer.
- Bring a rolling cart or hand truck; loading-zone carts run out fast.
- Parking near freshman halls fills up quickly - have a backup plan or drop-off spot.
- Loading zones usually enforce a strict time limit (often 30 minutes) before you're expected to move your car to long-term parking.
- Activate your student ID online before you arrive - many schools require it for building and elevator access from day one.
- If you want your bed lofted or the frame height adjusted, check whether your school needs that request submitted online in advance - most won't do it on the spot.
- Check your school's specific package-acceptance window before shipping anything ahead - most won't hold early deliveries outside a set date range.
- Unpack essentials first: bedding, toiletries, and chargers, before anything else.
Housing & Dorms
- Photo coming soon
Crawford Residence Community
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
McElroy Residence Community
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Preska Residence Community
Traditional · Coed
Housing Links
Links open Minnesota State University, Mankato's website - not always the exact page, but a real starting point.
Orientation
New Student Orientation (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
June 1 - August 19, 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
$10,500
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
Nearby data coming soon.
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 Minnesota State University, Mankato.
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