Student housing preleasing reached 52.3% in January 2026, compared to an estimated 45.6% in January 2025. That is, according to the Matrix Student Housing National Report - February 2026.
While the majority of schools tracked by Yardi Matrix are pacing ahead of 2025, performance is varied by market.
Preleasing For Yardi 200 Schools as of January 2026
Schools like Georgia Tech, the University of Illinois, Virginia Tech, and 61 others are 10% or more ahead of last year. Meanwhile, 28 schools such as Purdue, Indiana University, and the University of Tennessee were more than 10% behind last year.
Student Housing Market Rent Growth for 2026
Rent growth has continued to dip—down 0.2% year-over-year in January 2026 verses the 3.7% growth in January 2025. Rents per bed averaged $915 and have stayed flat since the start of this year's leasing season.
As with preleasing, rent performance varies by school, though "far fewer markets are posting strong growth compared to last year," the report states.
To read the full results of the report, visit Yardi Matrix here.
About the Author
Quinn Purcell
Quinn Purcell is the Managing Editor for Building Design+Construction. He is a graduate of Idaho State University with a Bachelor of Arts in Communication, and an emphasis in Multiplatform Journalism. He specializes in video, photography, copywriting, feature writing, and graphic design.