Pacific Lutheran UniversityMove-In Guide
Tacoma, Washington
🏫 Private UniversityEst. 1890🔗 www.plu.edu
Pacific Lutheran University is a private Lutheran-affiliated university in Tacoma, Washington. Full-time students must live in university housing unless they live at home with a parent in Pierce County or an approved zip code, are 20 or older by September 1, have completed four full semesters at PLU, or live with a spouse or child. First-year students are assigned a learning community and hall by the housing office, and the assignment is sent to their PLU email.
Enrollment
2,797
Total Students
Freshman Class
—
Not available
Move-In Dates
Sep 4, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
78%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Residence halls open Friday, Sept. 4, 2026. Move-In and LUTE Welcome Check-In runs from 9 a.m. to noon at the residence halls. Check your PLU email for your hall and move-in time. A Becoming Neighbors dinner and wing meetings for residents follow that evening.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Check-in location
- Check in at your residence hall on Friday, Sept. 4, from 9 a.m. to noon. Your PLU email has details for your specific hall.
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 (7)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Harstad Hall
Upper division, all single rooms · Coed
Hinderlie Hall
Kreidler Hall
Ordal Hall
Show 3 moreShow fewer
Pflueger Hall
Stuen Hall
Tingelstad Hall
Apartments (1)
Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students
South Hall
Apartment-style, upper division · 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.
- 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
LUTE Welcome (New Student Orientation)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
September 4 - September 8, 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
$13,008
Estimated / Year
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 Pacific Lutheran University.
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Dates last checked October 2026.