Student Housing Preleasing Reached 93 Percent in August
As the leasing season concludes, rental rates have eased while occupancy remains high for university-adjacent housing.
Updated on Sept. 22, 2026 in Apartments
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National student housing preleasing reached 93 percent in August 2026, marking a slight increase from 92.2 percent in August 2025. This performance comes as the average advertised rent per bed dipped to $927.
Why it matters
The moderation in rent growth, which held at 2 percent, stems from a cooling in enrollment expansion to 0.6 percent across 38 reporting schools. Local market performance remains varied due to regional fluctuations in housing supply and fluctuating student demand.
National preleasing reached 93 percent in August 2026, with Class A properties leading at 93.8 percent and Class C properties at 91.7 percent. Average advertised rent per bed fell to $927, down from higher levels observed in January 2026.
The players
Yardi Matrix
A research firm that provides data and analytics on the multifamily and student housing real estate sectors.
North Carolina State
A public university currently managing significant new student housing construction to accommodate campus growth.
Texas Tech
A public research university that experienced notable enrollment increases impacting local housing demand.
The details
Preleasing rates are tracked across the Yardi 200 school markets, with 28 of these institutions reporting full occupancy. Rent growth slowed as new supply, such as the delivery of 2,195 beds at North Carolina State, met moderated demand. Performance remains uneven, evidenced by rent declines of 11.4 percent at Purdue and 7.2 percent at Arizona, alongside enrollment growth of 9.2 percent at Texas Tech.
Timeline
August 2025: Preleasing reached 92.2 percent.
January 2026: Rent was higher than the August 2026 level.
August 2026: National student housing preleasing reached 93 percent.
2026-2027 leasing season: Rent growth averaged 1.1 percent.
2027: Completion of 970 beds at NC State.
The Home Front
This performance marks a departure from the high-growth environment of recent years as the market recalibrates to new supply deliveries. The data follows the documented trend of cooling rent growth as enrollment patterns stabilize across major university markets.
Students and families should compare local advertised rent prices against current regional averages, as declines have been significant in certain markets like Purdue and Arizona. Families should also verify upcoming university-affiliated housing delivery dates when planning long-term housing budgets.
The takeaway
While national occupancy remains high, the slowdown in rent growth offers potential relief for families managing college living costs. Monitor local supply delivery schedules at your university to anticipate changes in rental competition and pricing for the next academic cycle.
What happens next
Yardi Matrix expects the final preleasing season to conclude at 94 to 94.5 percent, with additional capacity arriving at North Carolina State in 2027.
Further reading
For broader trends in the rental market, see our guide on Apartments.
Source note: This article includes information reported by 301 Moved Permanently.
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