Top Universities for Rent Growth in 2018

Overall rent growth for U.S. student housing has compressed, going from 1.8% last fall to 1.4% this fall, but the range across many universities and individual assets is still wide. Peaks in new supply or supply and demand imbalances has caused moderation in performance this leasing season at many universities. But a steady flow of new supply and stable to strong enrollment growth has contributed better results for others.

Among 120 universities assessed, 63% are achieving rental rate growth above the national average, and nearly 30% of those are seeing growth rates of 4% or more. At the same time, 50% of the 120 universities assessed are seeing a decline in year-over-year leasing velocity.

Among the rent growth outperformers, Auburn University ranks #1 with an average rental rate increase of 8%. This is above the three-year average of 5%. Mid-tier price points and moderate supply growth relative to enrollment growth – 2,700 off-campus beds vs enrollment growth of 4,700 students since 2011 – has helped properties at Auburn to boost rents while continuing to see beds be absorbed.

At #2 Bowling Green State, no new supply this cycle coupled with low price points – below $400 per bed – has kept rent growth elevated the past few years. Rental rates have grown by an average of 5.5% the past three years and is currently above that level at nearly 7.9%.

The third-ranking University of Northern Colorado (6.4%) has also seen minimal new supply, but stronger enrollment growth in 2016 and 2017 has helped to further drive rental rates above the three-year average of 1.3%.

University of Nevada – Reno has remained one of the top rent growth universities for three consecutive years. However, the rate of growth at Reno has moderated from three-year average of 9% to 5.8% this fall, which landed the university at #4 most recently. Little new supply and steady enrollment growth will help student properties continue to push rates.

Virginia Tech at #5 and the University of Nebraska – Lincoln at #8 are the only universities in the table above seeing a decline in year-over-year leasing velocity. Virginia Tech has remained a top performer in terms of prelease and rent growth for several consecutive years. University of Nebraska – Lincoln has different story. The substantial inventory growth seen this cycle – more than 200% increase – caused the market softened as existing properties struggled to be absorbed. But as illustrated with the latest figures, the market has since started to recover and achieve above average performance.

For both universities, limited supply and positive growth expectations will play a role in maintaining absorption.

University of Central Florida remains one of the top markets despite nearly 1,500 beds delivering this fall. Student housing properties are averaging over 5% rent growth and leasing velocity holds well above the national average at 93.3%, and ahead of last year’s pace by 160 basis points. A steady volume of new supply coupled with very strong enrollment growth have contributed to this success.

San Diego State, at #7 on the list, has the highest effective rent of the universities above, averaging over $800 per bed. This price point is not abnormal for the region, but the rate growth of 5% is above what many other universities are seeing. This can be attributed to strong enrollment growth and minimal supply in the market, which captures less than 30% of existing students.

While the top performing schools are fairly dispersed across the country, there are regional performance trends. The Mountain West and Pacific Northwest regions are seeing a good portion of universities achieve above-average rent growth. This is primarily because of limited supply and strong demand.

The Midwest and Southwest are seeing a higher percentage of universities with negative rent change. In the Southwest, this is because of the amount of new inventory delivered in recent years. In the Midwest, it’s because of declining enrollment at some universities and sustained inventory growth.

Effective rent growth and year-over-year change in leasing velocity are key indicators of a university market’s health. Staggering rent growth and no impact on leasing velocity illustrates strong fundamental health for many of the top-performing universities and the student housing properties surrounding them.