Iowa City, IA · Big Ten housing on the Iowa River
University of Iowa Freshman Dorms 2026
About 94% of University of Iowa first-year students choose to live on campus, spreading across 11 residence halls on the east and west sides of campus. Rooms are fully furnished with an extra-long twin bed, desk and chair, dresser, closet, and window curtains, and every hall profiled here lists air conditioning as a standard amenity. Beds arrive pre-lofted, with a high-loft setting leaving 58 inches of open space underneath and a high-captain setting leaving 32 inches. Fall 2026 first-year move-in runs August 15-17, with each student selecting a specific arrival day and two-hour window in July.
- Bed size
- Twin XL · 36"×80"
- Air conditioning
- Every hall
- Residence halls
- 4 verified
Pick your residence hall
Every University of Iowa residence hall below has verified bed dimensions, AC status, and a checklist sized to that exact room.
Burge Hall
- Bed
- Twin XL · 36"×80"
- Under-bed
- Pre-lofted, 58" clearance (high setting)
- AC
- Yes
Currier Hall
- Bed
- Twin XL · 36"×80"
- Under-bed
- Pre-lofted, 58" clearance (high setting)
- AC
- Yes
Hillcrest Hall
- Bed
- Twin XL · 36"×80"
- Under-bed
- Pre-lofted, 58" clearance (high setting)
- AC
- Yes
Petersen Hall
- Bed
- Twin XL · 36"×80"
- Under-bed
- Pre-lofted, 58" clearance (high setting)
- AC
- Yes
What to bring to University of Iowadorms — and what’s already there
Every Iowafreshman hall includes the same base furnishings. Skip anything already in your room, pack what’s missing, and leave the banned items at home.
⚠ Bed height changes (including de-lofting) are made by Housing staff -- request a high loft or high captain setting through the housing application before move-in, or submit a work order at housing.uiowa.edu/fix-it during the year.
⚠ Only one refrigerator (5 cu. ft. max, UL-approved) is allowed per single/double room; residents in triples or quads may have up to two mini fridges.
⚠ Rooms must not be left unattended with holiday or decorative lights on, and no more than 25% of a room door may be covered with flammable or combustible material.
✓ In every room
- Desk and chair
- closet
- drawer space
- window curtains
- ethernet jack
- recycling containers
- extra-long twin bed (pre-lofted); telephone jack in most halls
✗ Not provided
- Bedding (extra-long twin sheets)
- mattress topper
- ethernet cord
- telephone cord
- storage bins
- desk lamp
- laundry basket
- trash bags
⊘ Prohibited
- Alcohol/alcohol containers
- candles or incense
- firearms/fireworks/explosives
- pets except fish (5-gal tank max)
- space heaters
- illegal drugs/paraphernalia
- tobacco and e-cigarettes
- wireless printers
- Google Chromecast
- electric grills (George Foreman
- waffle iron
- griddle
- panini maker)
- pizza cookers
- toaster ovens
- hot plates
- all-in-one breakfast makers
- Instant Pots/pressure cookers
- air fryers
- AC units
- electric fireplaces
- portable electric dryers (limited exceptions for Mayflower and Parklawn rooms with kitchen facilities)
Top things every Iowa freshman needs
The essentials that aren’t in your room — our verified picks, each with a full comparison. Affiliate links; prices and availability shown on Amazon.
Twin XL sheet setDorm beds are extra-long — a standard twin sheet won't fit.
Mattress topperDorm mattresses are thin and firm — a topper is the biggest comfort upgrade.
Surge protectorRequired at most schools — plain extension cords are banned.
Shower caddyCommunal bathrooms — you carry everything to and from the shower.
Under-bed storage binsThe space under the bed is the only real storage a dorm gives you.
LED desk lampNot provided in most halls — you'll want your own light for late study nights.
Common questions about University of Iowa dorms
- What size bed is in University of Iowa dorms?
- An extra-long twin. Housing's what-to-bring page is explicit about the sheets to buy: "all beds require extra-long sheets, 36" x 80"," and every hall page lists the mattress as 36 inches by 80 inches. (One general room-furnishings page lists a 38-inch Twin XL width, but the sheet guidance and the hall pages agree on 36" x 80".)
- Is a fridge or microwave allowed in the room?
- One refrigerator up to five cubic feet is allowed per single or double room, and up to two mini fridges in a triple or quad; it must be UL-approved. Appliances with an exposed heating element or open flame are prohibited, so hot plates, toaster ovens, air fryers, and Instant Pots are not allowed except for students in Mayflower or Parklawn rooms with kitchen facilities.
- Are freshmen required to live on campus at Iowa?
- Nearly 94% of first-year students choose to live in the residence halls. Housing's site does not publish a first-year live-on requirement -- confirm your obligation with Residence Life if it affects your plans.
- Can students loft or adjust their beds?
- Beds arrive pre-lofted. Students choose between a high loft, which leaves 58 inches of open space under the lowest rail, and a high captain setting, which leaves 32 inches. Request your configuration through the housing application before move-in, or submit a work order at housing.uiowa.edu/fix-it during the year -- Housing staff make the change rather than the student.
- When is fall 2026 move-in for first-year students?
- New students select one of three arrival days -- August 15, 16, or 17, 2026 -- along with a two-hour arrival window. Login windows for scheduling are randomly assigned July 7-9. Families with oversized vehicles are asked to arrive in the evening, and trailers are accepted after 5:30 p.m.
Planning your move-in? See the full Iowa packing guide →
More guides: Dorm move-in checklist · Best dorm fans (no AC) · Best shower caddy
Dorm shopping guides: Mini fridge · Surge protector · Storage bins · Mattress topper · Desk lamp · Bedding sets · Twin XL sheets · Shower caddy · Towels · Shower shoes · Laundry hamper · Area rug · Mirror · Over-door organizer · Closet organizers · Fans (no AC) · Loft bed setup