Living in University Accommodations or Rented Houses. Analysis of Differences in Terms of Cost and Effects on University Career

The phenomenon of studentification has favoured the emergence of two main rent-based student housing solutions: public university residences and private accommodation. The present study analyses the differences found in these two residential types, focusing mainly on the cost of rent and academic performance. To this end, a questionnaire was submitted to 96 students at the University of Salerno (Italy), 30 residing in university housing and 66 in private housing. The questionnaire includes questions on personal information, housing conditions and academic performance. The research methodology includes frequency graphs, hypothesis testing and linear correlation analysis. The results show significant differences in the cost of rent, which is higher for private housing, while no statistically significant differences emerged in university credits or average of marks. The correlation between housing variables, rental costs and academic performance is weak, indicating that living in more or less comfortable (or expensive) accommodation does not affect university performance. It is likely that personal and motivational factors are the main determinants of student performance. The study offers reflections to both scholars of the student rental market and university housing policy makers.