Skip to main content
Add as a preferred source on Google

Deferred Maintenance Issues Growing at Universities, Gordian Reports

  • By Matt Jones
  • 04/09/26

Key Takeaways

  • Gordian has released the 13th edition of its annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report.
  • U.S. colleges face a growing maintenance crisis, with deferred repair costs rising to $156 per square foot—an 8% year-over-year increase—while funding only covers about 73.5% of needs.
  • Long-term underinvestment is worsening, as capital renewal backlogs have nearly doubled since 2008, operating budgets fall short, and staff are stretched thinner across larger spaces.

U.S. colleges and universities are falling increasingly behind on facilities maintenance and repair, according to Gordian’s 13th annual State of Facilities in Higher Education report. The deferred capital renewal burden has reached $156 per gross square foot, an 8% increase over the previous year. The report also found that the capital investment funding for existing buildings can only cover about 73.5% of what’s needed to prevent further backlog, according to a news release.

The report draws on information from Gordan’s database of 43,000 campus buildings and 1.1 billion square feet of space to provide a comprehensive analysis. Funding for repairs is decreasing during a time when 16 higher-education institutions have announced closures within the last year.

“This year’s findings reinforce what we hear daily from leaders across the higher education sector: without sustained and strategic reinvestment, institutions risk deeper operational challenges,” said Gordian President Arul Elumalai. “Our goal with this report is to equip campus decision-makers with the clear, data-driven insights they need to prioritize the right actions now.”

The report’s other findings include that capital renewal backlogs have nearly doubled since 2008, and operating budgets are at 18.5% below target. Custodians are responsible for 27% more space than their 2007 counterparts. It marked “structural underinvestment, persistent operating gaps and rising deferred maintenance” as continuing barriers and complications toward campus flexibility. Finally, the report suggests strategic reinvestment, data-driven benchmarking, and proactive maintenance as pathways toward stabilizing the backlog growth.

“While campuses face continued pressure, there is genuine opportunity ahead,” said Pete Zuraw, Vice President of Market Strategy and Development for Gordian. “With reliable data and guidance from trusted industry partners, institutional leaders can make informed decisions that strengthen their facilities and position them for long-term resilience.”

About the Author

Matt Jones is senior editor of Spaces4Learning. He can be reached at [email protected].

Featured

  • Construction Begins on 100+ Acre K–12 Campus Designed for Lakota Culture

    The Cheyenne River Sioux Tribe (CRST) and the Cheyenne-Eagle Butte School District in Eagle Butte, S.D., recently broke ground on a new K–12 campus that will cover more than 100 acres and serve students and families across 1,600 square miles, according to a news release.

  • University of Washington Opens New Broadcast Studio

    The University of Washington in Seattle, Wash., recently announced the opening of Sundodger Studios, a new broadcast, production, and content facility, according to a news release. The university partnered with Anthony James Partners for the design and development of the studio, which will host about 100 live broadcasts and 120 live videoboard shows per year.

  • Haws Corporation Marks 120th Anniversary

    Haws Corporation, which provides hydration and emergency safety solutions worldwide, recently announced that the company is celebrating its 120th anniversary this year, according to a news release.

  • Sam Houston State University Completes Athletic Stadium Renovations

    Sam Houston State University in Huntsville, Texas, recently announced the reopening of Elliott T. Bowers Stadium after an extensive renovation project, according to a news release. The university partnered with Stantec and DLR Group for the project’s design.