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University of PittsburghMove-In Guide

Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania

🏫 Public UniversityEst. 1787🔗 www.pitt.edu

The University of Pittsburgh's Oakland campus is anchored by the 42-story Cathedral of Learning, the second-tallest educational building in the world, with first-year students required to live on campus in halls including the historic Brackenridge Hall.

Enrollment

34,000

Total Students

Freshman Class

5,100

Approx.

Move-In Dates

Aug 15-16, 2026

Fall 2026 (completed)

Acceptance Rate

42%

Most recent cycle

Move-In

Fall 2026 Move-In Details

Move in on your specifically assigned Arrival date, part of a carefully scheduled phased process to ensure a smooth experience. Review where to unload your car, park, and get to upper campus before arriving - printing a parking pass ahead of time is recommended. Check Pitt's own recommendations for what to bring and what not to bring to campus. The Ship2Pitt program lets incoming residents ship up to four boxes ahead of Arrival, and moving carts can be signed out one at a time for one hour.

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

Move-in day logistics

Arrival window
You and your family can park in a designated unloading area for one hour before being asked to relocate to long-term parking - if you need more time, simply move your vehicle to long-term parking instead.
Check-in location
Your residence hall's own Welcome Station, where volunteers check you in, provide your helpers with a wristband to access your building, and help you sign out a moving cart.
Parking
Place your printed parking pass on your dashboard as you approach Oakland so volunteers can direct you to the most convenient unloading area for your building.
What you'll receive
Your Panther Card (student ID) serves as your room key - use it to access your building and unlock your housing assignment. Residents of Centre Plaza or the Fraternity Complex receive a hard key instead.
Vehicle restrictions
Due to a limited number of available on-campus parking spaces, only one Pitt Arrival parking pass is provided per student.

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 (6)

Reserved for first-year students

  • Forbes Hall

    First-year only

  • Holland Hall

    First-year only

  • Litchfield Tower A

    First-year only

  • Litchfield Tower B

    First-year only
Show 2 more

  • Nordenberg Hall

    First-year only

  • Sutherland Hall

    First-year only

Residence halls (11)

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

  • Amos Hall

    Suite · Coed

  • Bouquet Gardens

    Suite · Coed

  • Brackenridge Hall

    Traditional · Coed

  • Bruce Hall

    Suite · Coed

Show 7 more

  • Irvis Hall

  • Litchfield Tower C

  • Lothrop Hall

  • McCormick Hall

    Suite · Coed

  • Panther Hall

  • Ruskin Hall

  • University Hall

Apartments (12)

Apartment-style housing, usually for upperclass students

  • Centre Plaza Apartments

    Suite · Coed

  • College Garden Apartments

    Apartment · Coed

  • Forbes-Craig Apartments

    Apartment · Coed

  • Franklin Apartments

    Apartment · Coed

Show 8 more

  • Hyacinth Place

    Apartment · Coed

  • Mayflower Apartments

    Apartment · Coed

  • Oakwood Apartments

    Apartment · Coed

  • Pennsylvania Apartments

    Apartment · Coed

  • Residences on Bigelow

    Apartment · Coed

  • Shirley Apartments

    Apartment · Coed

  • The Bridge on Forbes

    Apartment · Coed

  • The Strand

    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 Program (required)

All new students are required to attend one orientation session.

August 20 - August 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

$14,000

Estimated / Year

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

Nearby Essentials

  • CVS Pharmacy0.5 miles
  • Walgreens1.7 miles
  • Target2 miles
  • Walmart7.1 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 Pittsburgh.

Get the checklist

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Dates last checked September 2026.