The latest Matrix Student Housing National Report for June 2026 finds that preleasing for student housing remains slightly ahead of last year’s pace. Reaching 78% in May, leasing activity "will need to remain strong through the summer" in order to match the 93% to 96% occupancy levels recorded in the past few years, according to Yardi Matrix.

"While 63% of student housing markets are tracking ahead of last year’s preleasing pace, some universities are falling behind as new supply competes for tenants," the report states.

As for rent, student housing rent costs have increased to an average of $993 per bed in May—up 0.2% from April and 1.7% year-over-year (YOY). This is the ninth consecutive month that rent has risen per bed.

"The consistency is an encouraging sign of stabilization, as rents declined over the summer during the previous two leasing cycles," the report states.

Visit Yardi Matrix to view the full report.