Minnesota State University, MankatoMove-In Guide
Mankato, Minnesota
🏫 Public UniversityEst. 1868🔗 www.mnsu.edu
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
Aug 20-23, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
89%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
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.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Move-in runs Thursday, August 20 through Sunday, August 23. Thursday arrivals before 5 p.m. need a pre-selected timeslot (12 offered, 8:30 a.m.-5 p.m., in 30-45 minute windows); after 5 p.m. Thursday and all day Friday-Sunday (8 a.m.-10 p.m.), no timeslot is required.
- Check-in location
- Go directly to your assigned residence community's lobby, or the Stadium Heights Office if you're assigned there, to check in upon arrival.
- Parking
- Don't arrive earlier than your assigned timeslot on Thursday - parking gets congested if you do.
- What you'll receive
- Meal plans activate at 4 p.m. on Thursday, August 20, so check-in and dining access align with your arrival day.
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
Crawford
Traditional · Coed
Julia Sears
Suite · Coed
McElroy
Traditional · Coed
Preska
Housing Links
Who can live where
- Residence halls:
- Not marked first-year only, so they may also house returning students. Assignment follows the school's housing process.
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.
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
- CVS Pharmacy0.8 miles
- Walgreens1 miles
- Walmart2.8 miles
- Target3.1 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 Minnesota State University, Mankato.
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Dates last checked September 2026.