Student Housing with Jonathan Rivera – March 2026

March 23, 2026

Student Housing Outlook: Growth Today, Headwinds Tomorrow

The student housing sector continues to capture investor attention in 2026, but as Capright’s latest On the Spot episode reveals, the story is far more nuanced than headline performance suggests.

In this episode, Jonathan Rivera joins Steve Williams to break down insights from Capright’s recently released Student Housing Market Update, highlighting both the strength of current fundamentals and the emerging risks investors cannot afford to ignore.

A Strong Start to 2026 for Student Housing

Student housing has entered 2026 on solid footing. Favorable demand trends, resilient enrollment levels, and constrained new supply have supported performance across many markets.

As Jonathan explains, the sector is benefiting from broader housing dynamics:

• Limited new apartment construction is tightening supply
• Rising housing demand nationwide is spilling into student housing
• Population migration trends, particularly in the Sun Belt, are boosting key university markets

These underlying forces are creating an environment where student housing continues to perform well relative to other CRE asset classes.

Clouds on the Horizon: Demographics & Policy Shifts

Despite today’s strength, Capright’s analysis identifies two critical risks that could reshape the sector over the long term:

1. Declining High School Graduates
Beginning in 2026, the U.S. is expected to experience a sustained decline in high school graduates, a trend projected to continue for decades.

2. International Student Decline
Recent changes in federal policy and visa issuance are already impacting international student enrollment.

Regional Winners Emerging

Not all markets will feel these pressures equally.

Jonathan highlights that universities in the Southern U.S. are particularly well-positioned. For investors, this reinforces the importance of market selection and demographic alignment when evaluating student housing opportunities.

Supply Constraints Continue to Support the Sector

Even as demand drivers evolve, one key factor remains firmly in place: limited new supply.

Student housing operates as a subset of the broader housing market, and the slowdown in multifamily development is having a direct impact.

As highlighted in this episode of On the Spot, success in this sector will increasingly depend on strategic market selection, demographic awareness, and disciplined underwriting.

For a full breakdown of the latest trends and insights, check out our Student Housing Market Update:

📬 Let’s Talk

At Capright, we are uniquely positioned to support institutional investors, operators, and developers navigating this evolving environment. As an independent valuation and advisory firm, we provide clarity, accuracy, and confidence, especially where the stakes are highest.

If you’d like to discuss the findings or need support with your Student Housing or strategy, reach out to: