The University of Iowa's Pentacrest is centered on the gold-domed Old Capitol, once the actual seat of Iowa's state government before becoming the university's first building, with first-year students housed in halls including Currier, the university's original 1914 residence hall.
Enrollment
31,563
Total Students
Freshman Class
5,852
Approx.
Move-In Dates
Aug 15-17, 2026
Fall 2026
Acceptance Rate
84%
Most recent cycle
Move-In
Fall 2026 Move-In Details
Select your move-in date and time slot online by July 29, 2026, using your HawkID - the link only becomes active during your specific assigned window, and slots are limited to 200 students at a time per building. Only pre-approved student leaders and move-in volunteers may move in before August 18. A $35/day early arrival fee applies for anyone arriving ahead of their assigned date. Parking near residence halls is very limited, so move-in time slots are staggered based on parking, elevator, and cart availability - move-in time slots are 30 minutes each, with capacity ranging from 5 to 20 students depending on the building.
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
- Move-in hours run 8 a.m.-5 p.m. on the first two days and 9 a.m.-5 p.m. on the third - arrive during your assigned 30-minute time slot.
- Vehicle restrictions
- Students using trailers or large moving trucks can move in after 5:30 p.m., since there isn't space for these vehicles during the day's regular traffic - move-in volunteers won't be available after 5:30 p.m.
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
Currier Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Burge Hall
Traditional · Coed
- Photo coming soon
Catlett Hall
Traditional · Coed
Housing Links
Each available link goes directly to University of Iowa's own specific page, not just its general homepage.
Orientation
SOAR Orientation & CSI:1600 Success at Iowa (required)
All new students are required to attend one orientation session.
June 1 - August 14, 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
$14,022
Estimated / Year
Nearby Essentials
- CVS Pharmacy0.1 miles
- Target0.2 miles
- Walmart1.4 miles
- Walgreens1.7 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 Iowa.
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