World Top Student Housing Companies In 2025 | Global Growth Insights

Student housing plays a crucial role in higher education, providing students with a safe, convenient, and well-equipped place to live while pursuing their studies. As universities expand and enrollments increase, the demand for quality student accommodations is rising.

Key Industry Stats & Figures (2024):

• Over 235 million students enrolled in higher education globally.
• The U.S. student housing market caters to over 20 million college students, with over 8.5 million living in off-campus housing.
• International student enrollment in top markets like the U.S., UK, Canada, and Australia has increased by 15% YoY.
• Demand-supply gap: The U.S. alone faces a deficit of over 2 million student housing beds, driving demand for Purpose-Built Student Accommodation (PBSA).

Student housing is now one of the most attractive real estate investment sectors, with global capital inflows from private equity firms, pension funds, and REITs (Real Estate Investment Trusts).

What Are Student Housing Companies?

Student housing companies specialize in the development, management, and operation of residential properties tailored to college and university students. These properties include:

✔ University-affiliated dorms (Managed under university partnerships)

✔ Purpose-Built Student Housing (PBSA) (Privately owned, off-campus accommodations)

✔ Co-Living Spaces & Hybrid Housing (Affordable, shared accommodations)

✔ Luxury Student Housing (Premium amenities like smart home technology, gyms, co-working spaces)

Major student housing companies operate across the U.S., Europe, and Asia, offering fully-furnished apartments, meal plans, study centers, and fitness facilities to cater to students' needs.

USA’s Growing Student Housing Market

The U.S. has one of the largest and most mature student housing markets, driven by a rising college-going population, international student enrollments, and increasing investments from private equity firms.

Key U.S. Market Trends:

• 14.6 million student housing units in the U.S., with 44% off-campus.
• Major university hubs like California, Texas, Florida, and New York see occupancy rates exceeding 95%.
• International student surge: Over 1.2 million foreign students in the U.S. drive demand in cities like Boston, Los Angeles, and Chicago.
• Private sector dominance: 85% of new developments are backed by private real estate firms and REITs.

Regional Market Share in Student Housing

North America (45% Global Market Share)

• The U.S. & Canada dominate with Purpose-Built Student Housing (PBSA).
• Major players: Harrison Street, American Campus Communities (ACC), Greystar, The Scion Group, and Asset Living.

Europe (22% Global Market Share)

• UK, Germany, and France lead in student accommodation demand.
• The European Commission’s Housing Strategy emphasizes sustainability and student affordability.

Asia-Pacific (25% Global Market Share, Fastest Growing)

• China, India, and Australia drive PBSA demand due to surging university enrollments.
• Australia ranks as the 3rd largest international student destination after the U.S. and UK.

Latin America & Middle East (8% Market Share, Emerging Markets)

• Brazil, Mexico, and the UAE see growing private sector student housing investments.
• Saudi Arabia investing in university-affiliated PBSA developments.

Regional Opportunities in Student Housing

North America

• Expansion of off-campus student housing projects near major universities.
• Strong investor interest in PBSA properties due to steady rent growth.

Europe

• Shortage of student beds creating investment opportunities in Germany, the UK, and Spain.
• Luxury student accommodations on the rise, offering premium amenities.

Asia-Pacific

• India’s student housing market is growing as universities shift to private housing solutions.
• China’s student accommodation demand surpasses available supply, driving new developments.

Latin America & Middle East

• Growing international student populations in Dubai and Saudi Arabia create demand for high-quality student housing.
• Private investors entering the Brazilian market to build modern student accommodations.

Global Growth Insights unveils the top List Global Student Housing Companies:

1. Harrison Street

📌 Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
🏠 Assets Under Management: $50 Billion
✔ Specializes in student housing, senior housing, healthcare real estate
✔ Major PBSA investor in the U.S., UK, and Europe
✔ Focus on sustainability & smart housing solutions

2. American Campus Communities (ACC)

📌 Headquarters: Austin, Texas, USA
🏠 Largest publicly traded student housing company in the U.S.
✔ Manages more than 200 properties across 90+ college towns
✔ Acquired by Blackstone in 2022 for $12.8 billion
✔ Investing in luxury student housing and wellness-focused properties

3. Greystar

📌 Headquarters: Charleston, South Carolina, USA
🏠 Manages over $49 Billion in student housing assets
✔ Leading real estate investment, development, and property management firm
✔ Expanding PBSA investments in North America, UK, and Australia
✔ Specializing in high-end student apartments and co-living spaces

4. The Scion Group

📌 Headquarters: Chicago, Illinois, USA
🏠 Manages over 58,000 student beds
✔ Largest private owner-operator of student housing in North America
✔ Expansion in tier-one university cities
✔ Focus on affordable housing models & modernized student living

5. Asset Living

📌 Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA
🏠 One of the largest property management firms in the U.S.
✔ Specializes in multifamily, student housing, and affordable housing sectors
✔ Works with private equity, universities, and REITs
✔ Expanding student housing portfolio with new acquisitions in 2024

6. The Preiss Company

📌 Headquarters: Raleigh, North Carolina, USA
🏠 One of the largest privately owned student housing operators
✔ Specializes in off-campus student housing & value-add properties
✔ Focus on secondary university markets
✔ Investing in smart housing technology & co-living models

7. The Collier Companies

📌 Headquarters: Gainesville, Florida, USA
🏠 Owns and operates 48 student housing communities
✔ Strong presence in Florida, Georgia, and North Carolina
✔ Expanding partnerships with universities for on-campus housing development

8. GSA (Global Student Accommodation)

📌 Headquarters: London, UK
🏠 Manages over 40,000 student beds across the UK, Ireland, and Spain
✔ Expanding PBSA investments into Australia and Germany
✔ Developing eco-friendly and smart student apartments

9. Unite Students

📌 Headquarters: Bristol, UK
🏠 Manages over 74,000 student beds in the UK
✔ Largest purpose-built student housing provider in the UK
✔ Investing £600 million in student accommodation expansion

10. Vita Student

📌 Headquarters: Manchester, UK
🏠 Luxury student housing operator across the UK and Europe
✔ Targets high-end international student accommodation
✔ Expanding in Germany, Netherlands, and Spain

11. iQ Student Accommodation

📌 Headquarters: London, UK
🏠 Owns 76 PBSA buildings across the UK
✔ Owned by Blackstone, one of the largest real estate investment firms
✔ Developing high-end PBSA projects with wellness and study-focused designs

12. Campus Living Villages

📌 Headquarters: Sydney, Australia
🏠 Operates student housing in Australia, the U.S., and the UK
✔ Partnered with major universities for on-campus housing solutions
✔ Expanding affordable student housing options

13. Student Roost

📌 Headquarters: Birmingham, UK
🏠 Owns & operates 50+ PBSA properties in the UK
✔ Investing in regional UK markets and mid-tier universities
✔ Focus on community-driven student housing

14. Amber Student

📌 Headquarters: Pune, India
🏠 Tech-driven student accommodation marketplace
✔ Aggregates student housing across the UK, Australia, and Europe
✔ Uses AI-driven leasing and booking systems

15. Nido Student

📌 Headquarters: London, UK
🏠 Luxury PBSA provider across the UK and Europe
✔ Focus on sustainability and smart living spaces

16. Yugo

📌 Headquarters: Denver, Colorado, USA
🏠 Operates student accommodations across the U.S., UK, Ireland, and Spain
✔ Focus on premium student living experiences

17. CUBO Student Living

📌 Headquarters: Johannesburg, South Africa
🏠 Largest student housing provider in South Africa
✔ Expanding affordable student accommodations in emerging markets

18. Novel Student

📌 Headquarters: London, UK
🏠 PBSA operator focused on design-led student housing
✔ Expanding into Portugal and the Netherlands

19. XIOR Student Housing

📌 Headquarters: Antwerp, Belgium
🏠 Manages PBSA in Belgium, Netherlands, and Spain
✔ Expanding into Southern European markets

20. LIV Student

📌 Headquarters: Madrid, Spain
🏠 Luxury PBSA operator in Spain, Portugal, and Italy
✔ Focus on international student accommodations

Conclusion: The Future of the Student Housing Industry

The student housing industry is undergoing a major transformation, with increasing demand for premium accommodations, smart living spaces, and sustainability-driven developments.

Key trends shaping the future:

• Technology integration: Smart locks, high-speed WiFi, and AI-powered management systems.
• Sustainability: Eco-friendly buildings and energy-efficient student apartments.
• International expansion: Companies targeting India, China, and Europe for growth opportunities.
• Luxury student housing: Demand for high-end accommodations is rising among international students.

With global student populations increasing and universities focusing on student welfare, the student housing market will continue to expand, offering lucrative investment opportunities and new living solutions for students worldwide.

 Investment Strategy 2024 & Beyond:

• PBSA-focused developments in high-demand university cities
• Green & sustainable student housing with PropTech integration
• Emerging market expansion (India, UAE, Latin America)