Housing plays a critical role in the holistic student experience, yet one in three schools still lack formal feedback mechanisms for measuring resident satisfaction.
A new report from StarRez, a student housing software solutions provider, encourages higher ed leaders to utilize student feedback to improve and reshape campus living.
“Higher ed housing leaders who leverage this kind of high-quality information can drive strategies and adapt technology to help navigate change, build stronger relationships, and meet the needs of both students and staff, ultimately driving better outcomes for all,” StarRez CEO Travis Knipe said in a public statement.
More specifically, the research identifies five key themes impacting student housing in 2025:
- Rising student expectations: Although 73.3% of institutions still report high resident satisfaction, that figure has dipped nearly 7% from 2024. In 2025, students are looking for convenience while seeking living environments that support mental health, provide a sense of inclusion and offer greater independence.
- Staffing strains require operational shifts: Staffing remains a critical pressure point. More than half of the schools surveyed operate with just one to 10 professional housing staff.
- Smarter systems enhance operations: Technology also plays a vital role in improving efficiency and service. Nearly 70% of institutions have automated reporting and analytics, while others are digitizing email communication, room assignments, billing and front desk operations. Roommate matching is also improving, with more than half of institutions allowing first-year students to choose their roommates and nearly 80% doing so for returning students.
- Institutions rethink off-campus housing: The boundaries of student housing are expanding, and students’ preferences for privacy and independence are driving greater demand for off-campus housing.
- Leaders strive to maximize revenue: In 2025, summer earnings are down. Sixty-four percent of institutions reported earning less than 10% of their total housing revenue from summer, conferences or short-term stays. Meanwhile, only 7% now report earning more than 25% from non-academic housing. As a result, many institutions are putting greater focus on revenue streams like conferences and summer events.
Read the full report here.
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