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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].

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