College Boxes

What College Boxes does

Collegeboxes is a student-focused moving, storage, and shipping platform founded in 1999 at Duke University and operated since late 2009 as a wholly-owned subsidiary of U-Haul International, Inc. The company provides per-item storage, ship-to-school, and direct shipping services to college students, parents, boarding school students, and international students across 350+ schools in the United States and Canada, organized around a digital-first, self-serve website and app with on-campus pickup and delivery. Core products include Storage & Shipping (in-room pickup, U-Haul storage, and dorm delivery during academic transitions), Ship to School (for incoming and transfer students), and Direct Shipping (year-round FedEx-based shipping for graduates and international students); supplementary offerings include the proprietary Collegeboxes Signature Supply Kit, U-Box portable containers, Curbside Storage & Shipping, and Ship Retail Orders to School.

The underlying technology stack is a logistics platform that integrates U-Haul's nationwide storage facility infrastructure with FedEx as the designated shipping carrier, supported by online account management, live shipment tracking, and a tiered pricing calculator. Notable technical components include proprietary double-walled cardboard boxes with an Edge Crush Test rating of 51 (versus a standard box rating of 32) and 106 lb per-box capacity, plus a service guarantee structure (5% credit for missed delivery windows, escalating to 100% refund after 5 days late). Distribution is primarily direct-to-consumer through owned digital channels, supplemented by formal university partnerships (e.g., University of Tampa as Official Storage Partner) and a brand ambassador program.

The business model is transactional and seasonal, with revenue generated from per-item storage fees ($50 small, $56 Collegebox, $76 medium, $82 large per 4-month term), Supply Kit sales ($39.99 plus tax), Direct Shipping fees (starting ~$45 per box for in-state, up to 40% below competitors for worldwide), Declared Value Protection (up to $900 per package), U-Box container rentals, and extended monthly storage add-ons (from $13/box/month). Customer acquisition blends digital marketing (SEO, blog, email newsletter, Instagram) with channel partner-driven demand through 350+ university relationships and BBB accreditation as a trust signal.

Name

College Boxes

Legal name

Collegeboxes, LLC

Website

https://collegeboxes.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1999

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Collegeboxes is a student-focused moving, storage, and shipping platform serving 350+ colleges, universities, and boarding schools across the US and Canada. Founded in 1999 and acquired by U-Haul in 2009, the company offers per-item storage, ship-to-school, and direct shipping via integrated U-Haul and FedEx logistics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Student Storage and Shipping Services

NAICS

General Warehousing and Storage (493110), Couriers and Express Delivery Services (4921)

SIC

Public Warehousing & Storage (4220), Trucking & Courier Services (No Air) (4210)

akta.pro primary industry

Student & Seasonal Full-Service Storage (HSAKAHAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Move-In/Move-Out Logistics & Storage Services (EDAEAFAJ), Campus / Education Parcel Locker Networks (TLAAAMAF), Residence Hall Front Desk, Mailroom & Package Management (EDAEAFAE)

Keywords

• Student storage services
• Dorm shipping services
• College moving logistics
• Summer break storage
• Student shipping solutions

Headquarters

HQ city

Phoenix

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. Per-Item Storage and Shipping: Students pay per item (small, medium, large) for storage including pickup, storage term, and delivery. Pricing ranges from $50 (small items) to $82 (large items) per 4-month term. Additional fees apply for special pickup/delivery, self drop-off ($25), and access to stored items ($25).
2. Supply Kit Sales: Pre-packaged college moving supply kits sold directly to students for $39.99 (plus tax), including 5 double-walled boxes, bonus box, packing tape, permanent marker, zip ties, and FedEx label pouches. Kit purchase qualifies customers for Collegeboxes pickup and delivery services across North America.
3. Direct Shipping Fees: FedEx-based direct shipping service with rates starting at approximately $45 per box for in-state shipping, with up to 40% savings versus competitors for international/worldwide shipping. No storage included in this service tier.
4. Declared Value Protection: Customers may purchase additional declared value coverage up to $900 per stored package and $900 per shipping package, with a maximum aggregate of $6,000. Free base coverage of $100 per package is included automatically. Maximum single-item coverage is $1,000.
5. U-Box Container Service: U-Box portable storage containers provided through U-Haul partnership, including pickup from campus, storage, a lock, $1,000 coverage, delivery back to campus, and a dozen storage pads. Handled through the Collegeboxes platform.
6. Summer Monthly Storage Add-Ons: Extended storage beyond the standard term billed at per-box monthly rates starting as low as $13 per month per box. Storage terms are billed in full at pickup.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Collegeboxes provides a student moving, storage, and shipping service that picks up belongings from college dorm rooms, securely stores them at U-Haul storage facilities near campus, and delivers them back when students return. The company also offers direct FedEx-based shipping for graduates and international students, Ship to School deliveries for incoming students, U-Box portable containers, and a Collegeboxes Supply Kit of heavy-duty moving boxes, with all services managed through a self-serve website and mobile app.

Product overview

Collegeboxes is a student moving and storage platform offering three core services: Storage & Shipping (full-service with in-room pickup, storage, and delivery), Ship to School (for incoming students), and Direct Shipping (year-round shipping without storage). The company was founded in 1999 and acquired by U-Haul in 2009, leveraging U-Haul's storage infrastructure nationwide. Additional offerings include U-Box portable containers, a branded Supply Kit with specialty boxes, Curbside Storage & Shipping for self-service customers, and Ship Retail Orders to School for direct-to-dorm deliveries. The platform primarily partners with FedEx for shipping logistics and U-Haul for storage facilities.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Collegeboxes Supply Kit: Premium moving supply kit including double-walled boxes, tape, marker, and FedEx label pouches designed specifically for college student moving.

Products and services

• Storage & Shipping Full-service moving solution for students during academic breaks or study abroad. Includes in-room dorm pickup, secure storage at U-Haul facilities near campus, and delivery back to the dorm room when the student returns.
• Ship to School Service for incoming and transferring students to have boxes and luggage delivered directly to their new dorm or apartment before arrival. Includes FedEx pickup at home and temporary near-campus storage until move-in day.
• Direct Shipping Year-round shipping service for graduates, international students, and off-campus students. Ships belongings worldwide via FedEx for up to 40% less than competitors. Does not include storage or in-room pickup.
• U-Box Containers Portable U-Haul U-Box containers available for on-campus pickup, storage, and return delivery. Includes lock, $1,000 coverage, and storage pads. Ideal for students with larger moves such as full-room transfers.
• Collegeboxes Supply Kit Pre-packaged moving supply kit including 5 double-walled boxes (24" x 16" x 18", ECT 51 rating, 106 lb capacity), 1 bonus box (36" x 24" x 7"), roll of packing tape, permanent marker, 10 FedEx label pouches, and 5 zip ties. Priced at $39.99 plus tax.
• Curbside Storage & Shipping Self-service option where customers place orders, submit tracking information, items ship to a nearby U-Haul storage facility, and items are delivered on move-in day. Includes live tracking and climate-controlled storage.
• Ship Retail Orders to School Service allowing students to ship retail orders directly to campus. Items are picked up from the dorm room and delivered to a U-Haul storage facility, then forwarded to the student's campus address.

Quantifiable outcome

• Direct shipping rates up to 40% less than competitors for worldwide shipping
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and flagship.

• U-Haul International, Inc.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2009U-Haul acquired Collegeboxes in late 2009, making it a subsidiary of U-Haul International. Collegeboxes leverages U-Haul's network of storage facilities, U-Box containers, moving trucks, and moving supplies. This partnership provides Collegeboxes with physical infrastructure (hundreds of storage facilities nationwide) and operational expertise accumulated over U-Haul's 75+ year history. Collegeboxes powers U-Haul's student-focused storage and shipping services.
• FedExcoreTechnology or IntegrationFedEx is Collegeboxes' designated shipping carrier for all direct shipping and ship-to-school services. FedEx handles package pickup from students' homes or campus locations and delivers to Collegeboxes' U-Haul storage facilities or final destinations. Live tracking integration allows customers to monitor shipments through their Collegeboxes account.
• University of TampaflagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollegeboxes is the Official Storage Partner of the University of Tampa. The company collaborates with the university's housing department to offer tailored services at competitive prices for students. Services are coordinated with UTampa's move-in and move-out schedules, with dedicated campus support.
• 350+ Colleges and UniversitiescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCollegeboxes maintains active service relationships with over 350 schools across the US and Canada, ranging from formal official partnerships (e.g., University of Tampa) to direct shipping services at schools without formal agreements. Services include on-campus pickup/delivery, storage, and shipping coordinated with each school's academic calendar.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• CubeSmart: Major self-storage REIT with thousands of facilities nationwide. Competes indirectly through student self-storage unit rentals near campuses and has been increasingly active in student-targeted marketing.
• Extra Space Storage: Large self-storage REIT operating thousands of facilities. Competes indirectly through self-storage unit rentals and increasingly targets student housing markets near major universities.
• U-Haul International: Parent company of Collegeboxes and broader moving/storage operator. U-Haul provides the underlying storage facility network, U-Box containers, and truck rental infrastructure that Collegeboxes leverages; also operates competing moving services directly.
• PODS: Portable storage container company offering pickup, storage, and delivery services. While serving a broader moving customer base rather than students specifically, the U-Box product overlaps directly with PODS' core offering.
• Public Storage: Largest self-storage operator in the US with thousands of facilities. Provides traditional self-storage units that compete with Collegeboxes' full-service offering for price-sensitive students willing to do their own pickup/dropoff.
• 1-800-Pack-Rat: Portable moving and storage container provider. Competes in the broader portable storage space that overlaps with Collegeboxes' U-Box add-on offering and could expand into student-specific marketing.

Direct peers

• Storage Scholars: Direct competitor providing summer storage and shipping services to college students. Operates similar pickup/storage/delivery model with university partnerships across multiple US campuses.
• Dorm Room Movers: Direct competitor in the student storage and shipping niche. Offers door-to-door pickup, storage during summer break, and redelivery to campus, serving similar university customers with a comparable per-box business model.

Others

• FedEx: Designated shipping carrier for Collegeboxes' direct shipping and ship-to-school services. While primarily a logistics partner, FedEx offers competing direct shipping services that students could use independently.
• UPS Store: National chain of shipping and mailbox stores. Provides alternative shipping and packaging services that students could use instead of Collegeboxes' direct shipping tier, particularly for one-off shipments.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks2 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Instagraminstagram.com/collegeboxes

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about College Boxes