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University of MinnesotaMove-In Guide

Minneapolis, Minnesota

🏫 Public UniversityEst. 1851🔗 twin-cities.umn.edu

The University of Minnesota's Twin Cities campus centers on Northrop Mall, anchored by the student-funded Northrop Auditorium, with nearly 80% of first-year students living on campus in traditional halls including Pioneer, Territorial, and Frontier.

Enrollment

52,000

Total Students

Freshman Class

10,326

Approx.

Move-In Dates

Sep 1-2, 2026

Fall 2026 (completed)

Acceptance Rate

75%

Most recent cycle

Move-In

Fall 2026 Move-In Details

Reserve your move-in appointment online in early August - appointments are available every half hour, and the goal is to arrive, check in, and unload within 10-15 minutes before moving your vehicle to designated parking. Moving carts are available for checkout at your building's Information Desk, but no unloading assistance is provided outside these two main first-year dates. Washington Avenue, the main street through campus, has experienced construction in past years - check current road conditions before arriving. Breakfast, lunch, and dinner are available for meal plan holders in the dining halls on move-in day, and your helper can buy a meal if they'd like to eat with you.

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

Move-in day logistics

Check-in location
Go to the lobby of your specific residence hall to check in.
Parking
Staff will direct you where to pull up to unload - these zones are only for active unloading. Unload quickly, then move your vehicle to nearby designated parking (a free parking QR code, which varies by building and day, is sent to you before move-in).

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 (4)

Reserved for first-year students

  • Comstock Hall

    First-year only

  • Frontier Hall

    Traditional · Coed

    First-year only

  • Sanford Hall

    First-year only

  • Territorial Hall

    Traditional · Coed

    First-year only

Residence halls (4)

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

  • 17th Avenue Hall

  • Centennial Hall

  • Middlebrook Hall

  • Pioneer Hall

    Traditional · Coed

Apartments (3)

Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students

  • Keeler

    Apartment · Coed

  • Wilkins

    Apartment · Coed

    First-year only

  • Yudof

    Apartment · 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.

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

Orientation

New Student Orientation (required, two-day overnight)

All new students are required to attend one orientation session.

June 4 - July 23, 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

$14,900

Estimated / Year

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

Nearby Essentials

  • Target0.4 miles
  • CVS Pharmacy0.5 miles
  • Walgreens2 miles
  • Walmart4 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 University of Minnesota.

Get the checklist

Share

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

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Dates last checked September 2026.