Purdue University's West Lafayette campus centers on the 160-foot Purdue Bell Tower, built to rise "one brick higher" than its predecessor after a tragic 1894 fire, with first-year students housed in halls including Harrison, Owen, and Tarkington.
Enrollment
50,000
Total Students
Freshman Class
11,205
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 15-17, 2026
Fall 2026 (completed)
Acceptance Rate
50%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Housing contracts are due by May 5, 2026. Recommended arrival for students not participating in Boiler Gold Rush is August 22-23. Move-in traffic is heaviest around Stadium Avenue, McCormick Road, and Third Street - families should expect to park at the McCutcheon Parking Garage or Co-Rec ABC lot rather than directly at residence halls. New students participate in the Boiler Gold Rush tradition of jumping over the railroad tracks, symbolizing their entrance into Purdue.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time.
Move-in day logistics
- Parking
- After unloading, move your vehicle to your hall's designated garage or lot: Harrison uses the McCutcheon Garage; Owen and Tarkington both use the RecWell Lot (oversized vehicles and trailers also use this lot).
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 (1)
Reserved for first-year students
Harrison Hall
Traditional · Coed
First-year only
Residence halls (17)
Open to undergraduates (first-year students may be able to live here)
Cary Quadrangle
Single-sex
Earhart Hall
Traditional · Coed
First Street Towers
Frieda Parker Hall
Suite-style · Coed
Show 13 moreShow fewer
Hawkins Hall
Hillenbrand Hall
Suite-style · Coed
Honors College and Residences
Pod-style · Coed
McCutcheon Hall
Traditional · Single-sex
Meredith Hall
Single-sex
Meredith South
Pod-style · Single-sex
Owen Hall
Traditional · Coed
Shreve Hall
South Hall
Tarkington Hall
Traditional · Single-sex
Wiley Hall
Windsor Halls
Single-sex
Winifred Parker Hall
Suite-style · Coed
Apartments (8)
Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students
3rd and West
Apartment-style · Coed
Aspire
Apartment-style · Coed
Benchmark II
Apartment-style · Coed
Benchmark III
Apartment-style · Coed
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Fuse
Apartment-style · Coed
Hilltop Apartments
Apartment-style · Coed
Provenance
Apartment-style · Coed
Waldron Square
Apartment-style · 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.
- Single-sex:
- Open to residents of one gender only.
Eligibility rules vary and can change. Check with the housing office.
Orientation
Boiler Gold Rush (BGR) & Purdue 102
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
August 18 - August 22, 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
$11,500
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- CVS Pharmacy0.2 miles
- Target0.5 miles
- Walgreens1.7 miles
- Walmart2.2 miles
- Meijer3.5 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 Purdue University.
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Dates last checked September 2026.