Evaluation of the Economic and Academic Performance Impacts of Institutional and Private University Student Housing Solutions

Studentification, an urban phenomenon characterized by the centralization of university students in specific residential areas, is becoming increasingly important in Europe, with diversified effects in various countries. University accommodation is of primary importance in the context of higher education, significantly influencing students’ lives and their academic performance. In Italy, a third of university students are unable to pay their rent, while half of them report high utility costs and inadequate living conditions in their accommodation. Furthermore, unlike other EU situations, there is a strong shortage of both public and private housing. By this, Italy undertakes to comply to bridge this deficit by 2026 thanks to the funding provided by the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (PNRR). This study addresses the differences found in two residential models: public residences and private apartments models. It uses a questionnaire administered to students offsite to investigate the phenomenon. The focus is on the city of Fisciano (Salerno – Italy), home of the University of Salerno (UNISA). The objectives of the work are the following: analyse the two residential typologies (size of the accommodation, number of rooms, occupancy models, presence of services, etc.); compare the costs to be incurred for living in university residences or private homes; compare the two residential models concerning students’ career performance. An element of originality consists in the collaboration between the discipline of real estate appraisal and the sociological approach. The study represents a useful orientation tool for public and private investors in the field of Student Housing.