Yugo Acquisition Expands Student Housing Portfolio

Yugo acquisition of Campus Advantage boosts US student housing portfolio to nearly 40000 beds across 28 states.

September 5, 2025

Yugo acquired Austin-based Campus Advantage, adding 88 properties and nearly 40,000 beds to its US portfolio.
Campus Advantage founder Mike Peter will become CEO of Yugo US and join the company’s global leadership team.
The deal strengthens Yugo’s presence in high-profile college towns, though student housing faces challenges from enrollment declines and weaker rents.

Key Takeaways

Expanding US Scale

Bisnow reports that the global student housing operator Yugo announced it has acquired Campus Advantage, an Austin-based provider with a strong presence in college markets. The deal adds 88 properties across 28 states. As a result, Yugo’s US portfolio now totals nearly 40,000 beds.

Campus Advantage will rebrand as Yugo US The company will also integrate 430 employees into Yugo’s global platform.

Leadership Transition

As part of the acquisition, Campus Advantage founder Mike Peter will serve as CEO of Yugo US He will also join Yugo’s global C-suite. Peter launched Campus Advantage in 2003 and grew it into a major operator with properties in Eugene, Oregon; Champaign, Illinois; and Knoxville, Tennessee.

In addition, industry veteran Jim Sholders will become president of Yugo US He will oversee daily operations. Sholders previously held senior roles at Campus Life & Style and spent 15 years at American Campus Communities.

Strategic Outlook

Yugo, a subsidiary of The Dot Group, framed the acquisition as a way to accelerate its US expansion. The deal also strengthens its push to become a leading operator in the student housing sector.

“With this transaction we have created an operational powerhouse to elevate the Yugo brand and deliver a US growth strategy to position Yugo as the leading student housing operator in the country,” said Dot Group CEO Nicholas Porter.

Although financial terms were not disclosed, the deal involved several advisers. TD Securities advised Yugo and The Dot Group, while Greenberg Traurig and PWC provided legal and tax support.

Market Context

The acquisition comes as the student housing market faces headwinds. Enrollment is declining, which has softened demand and pushed rents lower. Even so, large-scale consolidations continue as operators seek stability and long-term growth.