The University of Alabama's campus in Tuscaloosa centers on the historic Quad and Denny Chimes bell tower, with first-year students housed in halls including Tutwiler, Lakeside, and Ridgecrest South.
Enrollment
42,360
Total Students
Freshman Class
10,590
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 14-15, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
77%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Move-in signup opens mid-June via your Crimson email once your housing assignment is made - times vary by residence hall. Students in certain approved groups (Honors, Band, Greek recruitment, etc.) may be eligible for early move-in in early August. Only the resident may check in - parents/guardians can't check in on the resident's behalf, or in the student's absence. Each residence hall has its own specific driving route for move-in.
Check your assignment in the housing portal for your specific date and time - your exact move-in date is shown above in the Overview.
Move-in day logistics
- Arrival window
- Arrive at your building at your scheduled move-in time and date - scheduling prevents traffic jams and long elevator waits. Arriving outside your scheduled time means waiting in a designated area until staff can direct you.
- Check-in location
- Your specific residence hall - while staff unload your vehicle into carts, you'll start the check-in process to receive your keys (Action Card and CWID required).
- Parking
- Once your vehicle is unloaded, staff direct you to park in the designated parking area - shuttles are provided if it's not close to your building. Residents arriving alone get temporary parking accommodations to unload first.
- What you'll receive
- A washable windshield mark granting unloading-zone access (max 2 vehicles per resident), then your room key at check-in.
- Vehicle restrictions
- No trailers or moving trucks are allowed through the unloading lanes - moving vans are permitted only if they fit in a typical parking space.
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
- Photo coming soon
Julia Tutwiler Hall
Traditional · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Lakeside Hall
Suite-style · Coed
First-year only - Photo coming soon
Ridgecrest South
Suite-style (Honors) · Coed
First-year only
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to University of Alabama's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
Bama Bound Orientation (required, sessions May-August)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
May 1 - August 13, 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
$12,366
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- Publix0.4 miles
- CVS Pharmacy0.5 miles
- Walgreens1 miles
- Target2 miles
- Walmart3.5 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 University of Alabama.
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