FreshMoveIn
Saved
Home Illinois Northwestern University
Northwestern University campus
NU

Northwestern UniversityMove-In Guide

Evanston, Illinois

🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1851🔗 www.northwestern.edu

Northwestern University's lakefront Evanston campus is home to the historic Charles Deering Library, the university's main library from 1933 to 1970, with first-year students housed across several residence halls and residential colleges, including Elder, Willard, and Shepard.

Enrollment

23,000

Total Students

Freshman Class

2,265

Approx.

Move-In Dates

Jan 2, 2027

Next: Spring 2027

Acceptance Rate

7%

Most recent cycle

Move-In

Spring 2027 Move-In Details

Northwestern is on the quarter system, so this is winter quarter move-in: undergraduate residence halls, residential colleges and special interest communities open Saturday, Jan. 2, at 12:00 p.m.

Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.

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

Residence halls (21)

Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)

  • Allison Hall

  • Ayers Hall

  • Bobb-McCulloch Hall

  • Chapin Hall

Show 17 more

  • East Fairchild

  • Elder Hall

    Traditional · Coed

  • Foster-Walker Complex

  • Goodrich House

  • Hobart House

    Single-sex

  • Jones Hall

  • Kemper Hall

    Suite · Coed

  • Lindgren House

    Single-sex

  • North Mid-Quads

  • Rogers House

  • Sargent Hall

  • Schapiro Hall

  • Shepard Hall

  • Shepard Residential College

    Traditional · Coed

  • Slivka Hall

    Suite · Coed

  • West Fairchild

  • Willard Residential College

    Traditional · Coed

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.
Single-sex:
Open to residents of one gender only.

Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.

Orientation

Orientation dates haven't been published yet - check back closer to the semester.

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

$19,500

Estimated / Year

Figures shown are estimates for room and board only, and can vary by hall and meal plan. Check with Northwestern University's financial aid office for a cost breakdown specific to your situation.

Nearby Essentials

  • Walgreens2.6 miles
  • Walmart3.6 miles
  • CVS Pharmacy4.2 miles
  • Target4.3 miles

Need Dorm Essentials Delivered?

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 Northwestern University.

Get the checklist

Share

Send this page to a roommate, a parent, or anyone else helping plan the move.

WhatsAppEmail

Dates last checked October 2026.