Can We Build Housing for Less? A Deep Analysis into the On- vs Off-campus Market Scopes and Prices its Projects.
Tracks
Business & Financial Services
| Monday, January 12, 2026 |
| 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM |
| Junior 1 |
Overview
Junior 1
Details
This session will provide a data-informed comparison of the key cost drivers that differentiate on-campus student housing projects from off-campus private developments, with a focus on how these differences impact student affordability in California. CSU campuses often face higher per-bed costs than comparable private projects, due to a range of factors including program standards, delivery models, regulatory requirements, and/or financing approaches.
Through side-by-side project data and cost breakdowns, this session will examine the specific decisions and policies that contribute to cost differences — and explore how CSU campuses can approach their own projects differently without compromising on quality, mission, or long-term control. Panelists representing development, construction, design, and advisory perspectives will present concrete examples and comparisons, and offer practical insights into how campuses can manage scope, cost, and financing more effectively. The session aims to support more affordable housing delivery by identifying areas where campuses may have more flexibility than they realize and by offering strategies that have been successful in the private sector.
Speaker
Sam Jung
Vice President
Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions
Can We Build Housing for Less? A Deep Analysis into the On- vs Off-campus Market Scopes and Prices its Projects.
Abstract
This session will provide a data-informed comparison of the key cost drivers that differentiate on-campus student housing projects from off-campus private developments, with a focus on how these differences impact student affordability in California. CSU campuses often face higher per-bed costs than comparable private projects, due to a range of factors including program standards, delivery models, regulatory requirements, and/or financing approaches.
Through side-by-side project data and cost breakdowns, this session will examine the specific decisions and policies that contribute to cost differences — and explore how CSU campuses can approach their own projects differently without compromising on quality, mission, or long-term control. Panelists representing development, construction, design, and advisory perspectives will present concrete examples and comparisons, and offer practical insights into how campuses can manage scope, cost, and financing more effectively. The session aims to support more affordable housing delivery by identifying areas where campuses may have more flexibility than they realize and by offering strategies that have been successful in the private sector.
Through side-by-side project data and cost breakdowns, this session will examine the specific decisions and policies that contribute to cost differences — and explore how CSU campuses can approach their own projects differently without compromising on quality, mission, or long-term control. Panelists representing development, construction, design, and advisory perspectives will present concrete examples and comparisons, and offer practical insights into how campuses can manage scope, cost, and financing more effectively. The session aims to support more affordable housing delivery by identifying areas where campuses may have more flexibility than they realize and by offering strategies that have been successful in the private sector.
Biography
Sam Jung is Vice President at Balfour Beatty Campus Solutions, where he leads the end-to-end development of campus real estate projects through public-private partnerships (P3s). From initial bid to financial close, he ensures that each project is financially viable, strategically aligned, and delivers long-term value for institutional partners. His work spans student housing, workforce housing, academic facilities, and mixed-use developments, with a focus on integrating institutional priorities with private-sector execution.
Before joining Balfour Beatty, Sam was a leader in Brailsford & Dunlavey, where he guided over $500 million in higher education P3 transactions. He advised universities on evaluating delivery models, optimizing real estate assets, and structuring complex deals that balance access to capital, risk transfer, and lifecycle cost management. His expertise includes demand and market analysis, feasibility testing, deal structuring, and financial modeling.
Sam has worked with public universities, systems, and flagship institutions across the U.S., helping them navigate shifting demographics, constrained budgets, and growing campus infrastructure needs. His experience uniquely positions him to align institutional vision with real estate strategy—leveraging P3s as a tool to expand capacity, modernize facilities, and strengthen long-term financial sustainability
