The United States student housing market is having a post-pandemic renaissance moment. With enrollment at leading universities surpassing pre-pandemic levels and showing signs of persistent growth, owners and developers of student housing properties are well-positioned to capitalize on the rising demand for high-quality assets in prime locations. In fact, student housing has shown its resilience to economic fluctuations in recent years and has outperformed other residential asset classes by offsetting higher interest rates and operating costs with outsized rent growth. Though the number of 18-year-olds in the U.S. is slowly …
Features
The April 3 webinar “Common Student Housing Marketing Mistakes — and How to Fix Them,” hosted by Student Housing Business and sponsored by Conversion Logix, gathered industry experts to dissect marketing challenges and explore fresh strategies for success in today’s competitive leasing climate. Using search engines, word of mouth, social media and even generative AI chatbots, like ChatGPT, to investigate housing — today’s students are savvy researchers who crave transparency. The panelists stressed that authenticity, upfront pricing and modern search optimization are key to connecting with this digital-first generation. Marketing budgets may be tight, but the …
After student housing developers slowed construction amid the pandemic, they are once again building at a brisk clip. Some 46,000 student housing beds are under construction, most of which are at large universities, and nearly 30,000 beds are expected to be completed this year, according to Yardi Matrix, a commercial real estate software provider and research organization. While new developments are trending down from the previous two years, they are well above the total of 23,500 student housing beds added to the market in 2022 and are expected to remain …
Student Housing Trends: Asset Living Balances High-End Features with Cost Efficiency
From pickleball courts to golf simulators, what amenities do today’s students really want — and what are they willing to pay for? “Students still want resort-style amenities, such as rooftop pools, fitness centers and co-working spaces, but affordability also is a big concern,” says Stacey Lecocke, division president of Asset Living, a leading third-party property management firm with the largest student housing portfolio, with over 111,000 beds. Developers are leaning into that trend with more efficient designs that maximize space without compromising on quality. Tessera, a new development undergoing lease-up …
Webinar: From Chaos to Control — Proven Tactics for Streamlining Student Turn in 2025
The March 12 webinar “From Chaos to Control — Proven Tactics for Streamlining Student Turn in 2025,” sponsored by Foxen, discussed best practices and strategies for improving the turnover process. Tyler Specht of Foxen, Josh Nicholson of Harrison Street and Aryne Bailey highlighted the importance of leveraging technology and strategic partnerships to streamline efficiency, up resident satisfaction and advance lease compliance. Key topics included the role of technology in enhancing move-ins, how to improve communication between corporate teams and on-site staff, as well as methods to ensure compliance with lease requirements …
To Maximize Student Housing Value, Match Technology Choices to the End Game
In today’s student housing market, reliable high-speed internet isn’t just a perk—it’s an expectation. With students consuming more data than ever for streaming, working, gaming and online learning, property owners and operators must ensure their networks can handle increasing demand. But upgrading internet infrastructure isn’t just about keeping up with resident expectations; it’s also a strategic investment. Choosing the right broadband strategy with an experienced partner can help maximize property value, improve resident satisfaction and reduce costly future upgrades. Now is an especially good time to consider these upgrades. With …
The number of public-private partnerships (P3s) between seasoned student housing developers and universities is on the rise, and it isn’t too difficult to see why. Undergraduate and graduate student enrollment is growing at institutions across the United States, and at least a portion of the undergraduate population at many universities is required to live on-campus. This fact alone would suggest that institutions might be looking to add to their on-campus housing stock — and quickly, at that, if their current offerings won’t accommodate the number of new students entering campus …
InterFace Panel: Slow and Steady Wins the Race for Student Housing Pre-Leasing, Rent Growth in 2025
Charlotte, N.C. — As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, the 2025-2026 academic year moved further into focus. What can the industry expect to see this year from a pre-leasing perspective? Are rents expected to keep growing? And by how much? All of these questions and more were discussed during a kick-off panel at the 2024 LeaseCon/TurnCon conference by InterFace Conference Group, which took place this past December in Charlotte, North Carolina. As of Dec. 3, student housing properties across the country were 36.6 percent pre-leased on average — …
As the sector readies for a new generation of students to enter campuses — Generation Alpha — a few of the ‘tried and true’ amenity spaces that were hot with millennials or Gen Z have fallen by the wayside. Golf simulators, movie theaters and bohemian styling with baskets and lots of greenery are just a few of the once popular design choices that are now on the outs, according to Lucy Harrison, brand marketing manager with SouthPark Interiors. Gone, too, are the days of designing one ‘Instagramable’ moment for …
Mahalakshmi Balachandran: Class is Outside Today — The Role of Landscape Design in On-Campus Student Housing
Picture a university campus where student housing is not just a place to sleep, but an integral part of the campus experience. Imagine students stepping out of their rooms and immediately finding themselves surrounded by the energy and vibrancy of campus life —just a short walk or bike ride away from class, campus cafés, study lounges and even green spaces for relaxing or meeting friends. Today, on-campus student housing is not just about providing a bed; it is about creating a living environment that supports students’ academic success, mental health …