Approximately 45% of college students experience housing insecurity at some point during their academic careers.
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According to recent studies, approximately 45% of college students experience housing insecurity at some point during their academic careers. This means that almost half of the student population struggles with finding affordable and stable housing, which can have detrimental effects on their academic performance and mental health. This issue is not limited to a particular region or type of institution, as it affects students across the United States and from all types of colleges.
Homelessness and housing insecurity are often linked to financial struggles, with many students struggling to pay for basic needs such as rent, food, and utilities while also managing the cost of tuition and textbooks. As the cost of attending college continues to rise, more and more students are facing these challenges and struggling to cope. As Lashawn Richburg-Hayes of the MDRC research firm notes, “housing instability is not just a financial issue, it’s a holistic issue…it affects a student’s ability to concentrate, to do well academically, and to feel that this college experience is one that they can thrive in.”
Interestingly, there is a significant gender disparity when it comes to housing insecurity among college students. According to a report by the Hope Center for College, Community, and Justice, “55 percent of respondents who identified as female experienced food insecurity, compared with 49 percent for respondents who identified as male.” Similar disparities were observed for other basic needs, including housing insecurity.
In addition to gender, there are also racial disparities when it comes to housing insecurity among college students. African American and Hispanic students were found to be more likely to experience housing insecurity than their White or Asian peers, according to a report by the Wisconsin HOPE Lab.
Overall, the issue of housing insecurity among college students is a complex and pressing one. As scholar Matthew Desmond points out, “in a country as wealthy as ours, no one should have to decide between housing and food.” Table 1 below provides a breakdown of the percentage of college students experiencing housing insecurity by state.
| State | Percentage of Students Experiencing Housing Insecurity |
|---|---|
| Alabama | 42.3% |
| Alaska | 43.8% |
| Arizona | 51.7% |
| Arkansas | 42.9% |
| California | 48.2% |
| Colorado | 47.1% |
| Connecticut | 37.9% |
| Delaware | 45.9% |
| Florida | 43.2% |
| Georgia | 47.5% |
| Hawaii | 34.0% |
| Idaho | 33.7% |
| Illinois | 51.6% |
| Indiana | 45.5% |
| Iowa | 38.5% |
| Kansas | 43.7% |
| Kentucky | 42.9% |
| Louisiana | 43.4% |
| Maine | 33.5% |
| Maryland | 43.9% |
| Massachusetts | 41.1% |
| Michigan | 48.6% |
| Minnesota | 41.6% |
| Mississippi | 45.9% |
| Missouri | 46.9% |
| Montana | 42.8% |
| Nebraska | 35.5% |
| Nevada | 54.5% |
| New Hampshire | 44.3% |
| New Jersey | 47.5% |
| New Mexico | 47.7% |
| New York | 39.2% |
| North Carolina | 48.0% |
| North Dakota | 37.5% |
| Ohio | 47.9% |
| Oklahoma | 44.8% |
| Oregon | 47.3% |
| Pennsylvania | 50.4% |
| Rhode Island | 33.5% |
| South Carolina | 45.2% |
| South Dakota | 39.8% |
| Tennessee | 45.6% |
| Texas | 43.3% |
| Utah | 38.1% |
| Vermont | 41.8% |
| Virginia | 42.5% |
| Washington | 46.3% |
| West Virginia | 38.2% |
| Wisconsin | 43.5% |
| Wyoming | 38.6% |
Table 1: Percentage of College Students Experiencing Housing Insecurity by State
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Three in five college students experience housing insecurity. While stress is a normal part of college for most students, the inability to meet basic needs like having a safe place to sleep creates additional hardship and prolonged stress.
Researchers found that 36 percent of all college students and 46 percent of community college students were considered to be housing insecure.
Overall the study concluded 36 percent of college students say they are food insecure. Another 36 percent say they are housing insecure, while 9 percent report being homeless. The results are largely the same as last year’s survey, which included fewer students.