The fifth in a series of student housing research reports published by NMHC, this report explores what today’s students are looking for in their off-campus housing. 

Today’s students are more interested in living off campus, and it is generally accepted that they have much higher expectations from their housing.  But what exactly does that mean?  How much luxury are they willing to pay for?  And what are the “must have” amenities for a successful student housing property? 

NMHC sought to answer those questions through a series of 18 focus groups at nine universities. The participating universities included Arizona  State  University, East Carolina University, PennsylvaniaState University, University of Californiaat Davis, University of Colorado, University of Florida, University of Iowa, University of Oregon, and University of Texas.

The 48-page report covers:

• why students prefer off-campus housing
• the ideal apartment
• desired property amenities
• what they are willing to pay extra for
• deal breakers
• "screech factors"
• the lease and lease term
• the ideal web site
• regional and market variations
• the alumni perspective

PRICING AND ORDERING INFORMATION

What Do Students Want?

• $600 for NMHC/NAA members
• $800 for non-members. 
• To order the report, click here.
  • NAA Members: Online orders cannot be processed for NAA members.  Please click here for an order form.

ADDITIONAL NMHC STUDENT HOUSING RESEARCH

• Off-Campus Student Housing: 2011 Income and Expense Benchmarking Survey. Expands on NMHC's 2010 Off-Campus Student Housing: Income and Expense Benchmarking Survey, providing more in-depth state and regional data for operating and line-item expenses for 341 properties. (2011)

• NMHC Special Off-Campus Student Housing: Income and Expense Benchmarking Survey.  Provides information on total operating expenses as a percent of rent along with seven expense line items within operating expenses for 197 properties. (2010)

• NMHC Special Student Housing Report: Has the Recession Had an Impact? Seeks to determine whether the dramatic U.S. economic downturn has had an impact on enrollment and on-campus dormitory vacancy rates.
  
  
• On-Campus Housing Costs: More than Meets the Eye.  Researches 181 universities and offers current enrollment, basic demographic data for the locality (from the 2000 Census) and baseline on-campus housing price data and billing practices.
  
  
• Student Housing 201: 2004-2006 Rent Growth in 64 College Towns. Tracks rent growth in student housing properties over a two-year period. 
  
  
• Student Housing 103: A Survey of 184 University Housing Departments. Examines enrollment trends, existing on-campus housing stock and each school's own prediction of its need for future on-campus housing.
  
  
• Student Housing 102: An In-Depth Look at Properties Leased By-the-Bed.  Examines the smaller subset of properties that lease their apartments by the bed instead of by the unit.
  
  
• Student Housing 101: Where are the Opportunities?  Analyzes the demand for off-campus housing in 64 "college towns" across the country.