The student housing sector is evolving rapidly in 2025, with preleasing and rent growth signaling a strong year ahead. At the Interface Student Housing Conference, College House Founder Charlie Matthews took the stage during the Industry Update Panel to present the latest data and analysis on the national market. Here’s a breakdown of the key insights shared, trends to watch, and what this means for investors, developers, and property managers across the U.S.
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Market Overview: Pre-leasing and Rent Surge Ahead
As of April 3, 2025, the national student housing market is seeing:
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National Pre-Lease reaches 65.2%.
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Annual rent growth holding strong at +4.31%, underscoring ongoing demand and inflationary pressures.
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Rent per bed nationally now averages $1,004.
These indicators suggest continued strength following a record-breaking 2024 leasing season.
Download Full Report Here: College House Interface Report 2025
Regional Rent Growth Leaders
Rent growth varies significantly by region, with certain areas outperforming others:
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Southwest: +3.4% YoY
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Midwest: +9.1%
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West: +2.0%
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Southeast: +5.5%
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Northeast: +2.2%
The Southeast and Midwest are leading the charge, likely due to a mix of enrollment strength, affordability, and less saturation from new deliveries.
New Supply & Development Pipeline
Development remains modest in 2025 with:
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Roughly 32,000 new beds expected to deliver nationwide by Fall 2025.
Expect delivery volumes to trend downward in 2026 and 2027 unless financing conditions improve.
Tier Trends: Core vs. Emerging Markets
College House's tier-based analysis showed:
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Tier 1 markets (e.g., SEC, Big 12 schools) continue to see strong leasing and rent performance.
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Tier 2 and Tier 3 schools vary significantly depending on local dynamics, enrollment momentum, and competitive saturation.
Core markets are proving resilient, while developers are becoming more selective in secondary locations.
The Outlook for Fall 2025
With economic uncertainty looming and interest rates still a factor, the student housing sector remains an attractive hedge:
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Resilient demand from Gen Z students
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Continued enrollment strength at flagship institutions
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Institutional capital still active, but cautious
The data shows signs of stabilization, not stagnation, with a preference for well-located, walkable assets near campus and a shift toward operational efficiency and long-term value creation.
Final Takeaway
The 2025 College House Interface Report reaffirms student housing’s unique position within the broader real estate market. With solid fundamentals, moderated supply, and steady rent growth, the sector remains one of the most defensible asset classes in the current environment.
For more market intelligence and comprehensive leasing data, visit College House.
Download Full Report Here: College House Interface Report 2025
