Estimated preleasing at the Yardi 200 schools reached 89.1 percent in July 2026, 100 basis points above final occupancy data compiled in July 2025. Year-over-year rent growth totaled 2 percent in July, according to new data from Yardi Matrix.
The average advertised rent per bed has remained unchanged since February. Preleasing and rent growth varied widely by region, with Northeast rents rising 3 percent year-over-year in July, Midwest rents increasing 2.5 percent, and rents in the West growing just 0.1 percent.
The Midwest led all regions in July preleasing at 90.9 percent, driven by Central Michigan University and the University of Missouri, where preleasing exceeded 99 percent. The Southeast followed at 89.9 percent, while the Northeast posted a preleasing rate of 89.1 percent.
The West was the only region to trail last year’s level, with preleasing down 40 basis points to 87 percent. Yet several Western markets, including Boise State University and the Uni
