Campus Space: A Lot of Room to Improve

U. S. colleges are sitting on a lot of empty space. In 2025, only 45% of campus buildings were being used. That's a big drop from 53% the year before. Most schools aim for at least 70% use. This means a lot of buildings are just sitting there, empty. This isn't just about wasted space. It's about money. Schools are spending $79 billion each year on unused areas. That's a huge amount that could be put to better use. With tight budgets and fewer students enrolling, schools need to be smarter about how they use their space. Classrooms are a big part of the problem. Even when classes are in session, only 40% of classroom space is used. On Fridays, it's even worse, with 28% less use than earlier in the week. Office spaces are also underused, with a 19% drop in use from the previous year. Conference rooms are often empty, too, with only one person using them most of the time.But it's not all bad news. Some spaces are still popular. Dining halls are busy, with 85% use during peak times. However, recreation spaces saw a 17% drop in use, showing that students might be spending their free time differently. Schools are facing big challenges. Fewer students mean less demand for space. There's also a huge backlog of maintenance and repairs needed. Plus, more students want online courses, which means less need for physical classrooms. To fix these issues, schools need to think differently. They need to use data to understand how spaces are being used. This can help them make better decisions about how to use their buildings. It's not just about saving money. It's about making campuses work better for everyone.