Child Going Off to College? Compare Renting vs. Buying Near Campus
Quantify non-recoverable lease tuition versus principal equity creation over a 4-year academic cycle.
Educational estimate — not financial, tax, legal, real estate, or lending advice. Scenarios only; no guarantee of loan approval, rental income, appreciation, or investment performance.
Compare the two paths — before your student signs a lease
Enter the basics and see how much of each path keeps working for your family.
Your Scenario
4-Year Comparison
4-Year Net Outflow (Renting)
$86,400
Paid to a landlord over 4 full academic years — no equity returned at graduation.
4-Year Equity Built (Buying)
$97,328
Scenario estimate from principal paydown plus modest appreciation. Assumes a stable campus market.
Potential roommate income near $3,300 over 4 years — income that may help carry the asset.
Educational estimate, not financial, tax, legal, real estate, or lending advice. Scenario only — no guarantee of loan approval, rental income, appreciation, or investment performance.
For parents with students at flagship 4-year universities, purchasing a 3- to 4-bedroom property can eliminate $60,000+ in non-recoverable rent while generating equity — often funded by renting surplus bedrooms to vetted student peers.
Tax Deductions
Mortgage interest and property taxes on a personally held campus property may be deductible, and a portion of expenses if the home is held as a rental. Outcomes depend on use and individual circumstances.
Roommate Income Potential
Surplus bedrooms can carry meaningful monthly income when leased to vetted student peers, easing the family's out-of-pocket ownership cost — with vacancy risk planned for.
Resale Exit Strategies
After graduation, sell to incoming freshman parents, refinance with built equity, or hold as a high-yield rental in a market anchored by stable university demand.
Built for parent buyers, local real estate advisors, sellers, investors, and rental-property financing conversations.