Information for Developers

Interested in building graduate student housing?

Here are some links to documents and reports about the need for affordable graduate student housing.

• Retail Services and Residential Study This is based on a survey conducted in October, 2006 to gather information for the East Campus Redevelopment Initiative.
• Student Housing Market and Feasibility Study. The study, commissioned by UMCP in spring 2005, explored the demand for graduate housing, and also gauged unmet demand for undergraduate housing.
• Annual report (2005) from the Graduate School on the graduate student population. Includes demographic data.
• Housing Needs of Graduate StudentsHousing Needs of Graduate Students at the University of Maryland, College Park. Prepared for the Graduate School by the Urban Studies and Planning Program, March 2003.
• Report: Task Force on Graduate Student Life Completed by the Division of Student Affairs on 2005. Housing information begins on page 20.
• Report on Graduate Housing Services at Peer Institutions. Completed in 2003 by the Standing Committee on Graduate Student Housing.
• Graduate Student Needs Assessment Survey. Completed in 2002 by the Coordinator of Graduate Student Involvement.

Facts on Housing and UMCP Graduate Students:

• There are roughly 10,000 graduate students at UMCP.
• Grad Gardens and Grad Hills (only University-owned housing for grad students) house roughly 5% of UMCP population. 1BR rent is $900/month; 2BR rent is $1073/month. Waiting list is often several months at least (varies according to time of year).
• This leaves 95% of grad students on the open market for housing.
• 25% are International Students.
• Roughly 1500 grad students have children.
• Unknown how many live with a partner, but probably at least half.
• Nationwide trend for grad students: average age is increasing.
• Grad student housing needs have been studied extensively by the University (see packet, also see http://www.gsg.umd.edu).
• 52% of grad students are PhD students, 48% are Master’s students.
• PhD students typically stay 4-7 years; Master’s students typically stay 2-3 years. Vast majority need 12-month leases.
• Grad students are typically willing to give up amenities in exchange for cheaper rent.
• Grad students tend to prefer apartment-style housing over dorm-style housing.