The Future of Student Housing in 2025: Exciting Trends and Insights from the College House National Report

Explore the latest trends in student housing in 2025 with College House's National Report. Discover a 2.9% pre-leasing decline, 5.02% rental rate increase, and regional insights shaping the market.

As the student housing market continues to evolve, staying informed on pre-leasing trends and rental rates is crucial for investors, property managers, and stakeholders. The latest January Month-End National Student Housing Report by College House delivers critical insights into the sector, helping industry professionals make data-driven decisions.

- Scroll to download the full report - 

Key Findings from the Report

Pre-Leasing Trends: A Year-Over-Year Decline

Pre-leasing activity for the 2025-26 academic year has seen a national average of 49.1%, reflecting a slight decrease compared to the previous year. Regionally, the trends vary:

  • West: 33.3% (down from 37.3%)
  • Southwest: 46.1% (down from 51.2%)
  • Midwest: 54.2% (down from 55.2%)
  • Northeast: 41.6% (down from 44.8%)
  • Southeast: 55.5% (down from 57.5%)

This 2.9% year-over-year decline suggests a shift in student rental patterns, potentially influenced by economic factors, affordability concerns, leasing velocity, and changing demand for off-campus housing options.

Rental Rates: A Steady Increase Nationwide

Despite the drop in pre-leasing percentages, rental rates have increased across all regions, with the national average rate per bed now standing at $1,001. The biggest gains were recorded in:

  • West: $1,104 (up from $1,074)
  • Southwest: $945 (up from $906)
  • Midwest: $970 (up from $890)
  • Northeast: $1,184 (up from $1,160)
  • Southeast: $959 (up from $905)

This 5.02% year-over-year growth highlights ongoing shifts in the student housing market and the importance of affordability and accessibility for renters.

Floor Plan-Specific Trends

Different unit types are showing distinct trends in both pre-leasing and rental rates:

  • Pre-Lease Decline: Studios (-3.2%), 1-bedroom (-2.9%), 2-bedroom (-3.3%), and 3-bedroom (-2.8%) units all experienced dips in leasing activity.
  • Rental Rate Growth: The highest increases were observed in 3-bedroom units (+6.9%) and 5-bedroom units (+6.1%), indicating a growing preference for multi-bedroom options among student renters.

What This Means for the Industry

These findings reflect an evolving student housing landscape. Higher rental rates coupled with lower pre-leasing figures suggest that students may be more selective, with affordability and amenities playing an increasing role in decision-making.

Download the full report below:

January 2025 Month End Student Housing Report, by College House

 

Get the Full Report

For a deeper dive into these insights and a comprehensive breakdown of regional trends, download the full January 2025 National Student Housing Report from College House.

Visit www.collegehouse.com or email info@collegehouse.com to get your copy today.

Keep Reading for More Insights...

Tell us a bit about yourself!