American Campus Communities (ACC) 10-Q 8 May 15 2015 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document_and_Entity_Informatio

Document and Entity Information	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Apr. 29, 2015
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES INC
Entity Central Index Key	1283630
Trading Symbol	acc
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock Shares Outstanding		112,301,250
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	31-Mar-15
Amendment Flag	FALSE
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2015
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Document Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	American Campus Communities Operating Partnership LP
Entity Central Index Key	1357369
Current Fiscal Year End Date	-19
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	$5,522,478	$5,533,849
Cash and cash equivalents	17,812	25,062
Restricted cash	34,091	31,937
Student contracts receivable, net	7,942	10,145
Other assets	237,242	233,755
Total assets	5,819,565	5,834,748
Liabilities:
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	1,194,524	1,331,914
Unsecured notes	798,347	798,305
Unsecured term loans	600,000	600,000
Unsecured revolving credit facility	131,900	242,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	51,790	70,629
Other liabilities	123,171	121,645
Total liabilities	2,899,732	3,164,993
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests/redeemable limited partners	67,432	54,472
American Campus Communities, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, $.01 par value, 800,000,000 shares authorized, 112,301,250 and 107,175,236 shares issued and outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	1,123	1,072
Additional paid in capital	3,315,711	3,102,540
Accumulated earnings and dividends	-460,753	-487,986
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,838	-6,072
Total American Campus Communities, Inc. stockholders’ equity	2,848,243	2,609,554
Total equity	2,852,401	2,615,283
Partners’ capital:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,838	-6,072
Total liabilities and equity	5,819,565	5,834,748
Wholly-owned properties, net
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	5,429,719	5,308,707	[1]
Liabilities:
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	1,080,224	1,153,997
Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	0	131,014
On-campus participating properties, net
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	92,759	94,128
Partially owned properties
American Campus Communities, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Noncontrolling interests - partially owned properties	4,158	5,729
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	5,522,478	5,533,849
Cash and cash equivalents	17,812	25,062
Restricted cash	34,091	31,937
Student contracts receivable, net	7,942	10,145
Other assets	237,242	233,755
Total assets	5,819,565	5,834,748
Liabilities:
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	1,194,524	1,331,914
Unsecured notes	798,347	798,305
Unsecured term loans	600,000	600,000
Unsecured revolving credit facility	131,900	242,500
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	51,790	70,629
Other liabilities	123,171	121,645
Total liabilities	2,899,732	3,164,993
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)
Redeemable noncontrolling interests/redeemable limited partners	67,432	54,472
American Campus Communities, Inc. stockholders’ equity:
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,838	-6,072
Partners’ capital:
General partner – 12,222 OP units outstanding at both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014	103	100
Limited partner – 112,289,028 and 107,163,014 OP units outstanding at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively	2,855,978	2,615,526
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	-7,838	-6,072
Total partners’ capital	2,848,243	2,609,554
Total capital	2,852,401	2,615,283
Total liabilities and equity	5,819,565	5,834,748
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Wholly-owned properties, net
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	5,429,719	5,308,707
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	0	131,014
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | On-campus participating properties, net
Investments in real estate:
Investments in real estate, net	92,759	94,128
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Partially owned properties
Partners’ capital:
Noncontrolling interests - partially owned properties	$4,158	$5,729
[1]	The balance above excludes the net book value of seven wholly-owned properties classified as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (see Note 4). These properties were sold in January 2015.

CONSOLIDATED_BALANCE_SHEETS_Pa

CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parentheticals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$0.01	$0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	800,000,000	800,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	112,301,250	107,175,236
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	112,301,250	107,175,236
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
General partner, OP units outstanding (shares)	12,222	12,222
Limited partner, OP units outstanding (shares)	112,289,028	107,163,014

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_COM

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Revenues
Third-party development services	$564	$187
Third-party management services	2,001	1,985
Resident services	830	873
Total revenues	192,493	183,183
Operating expenses
Third-party development and management services	3,047	2,786
General and administrative	4,843	4,374
Depreciation and amortization	50,651	48,175
Ground/facility leases	2,098	1,563
Total operating expenses	142,317	135,188
Operating income	50,176	47,995
Nonoperating income and (expense)
Interest income	1,112	1,031
Interest expense	-21,988	-21,090
Amortization of deferred financing costs	-1,379	-1,499
Gain from disposition of real estate	44,252	0
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	-595	0
Total nonoperating income (expense)	21,402	-21,558
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	71,578	26,437
Income tax provision	-311	-290
Income from continuing operations	71,267	26,147
Discontinued operations:
Loss attributable to discontinued operations	0	-123
Gain from disposition of real estate	0	2,843
Total discontinued operations	0	2,720
Net income	71,267	28,867
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,070	-469
Net income attributable to common shareholders	70,197	28,398
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	-1,868	-993
Comprehensive income	68,329	27,405
Income per share attributable to common shareholders - basic
Income from continuing operations per share (in dollars per share)	$0.63	$0.24
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.63	$0.27
Income per share attributable to common shareholders - diluted
Income from continuing operations per share (in dollars per share)	$0.62	$0.24
Net income per share (in dollars per share)	$0.62	$0.27
Weighted-average common shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	110,955,099	104,821,669
Diluted (in shares)	112,974,505	105,556,833
Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Discontinued operations:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-747	-381
Wholly-owned properties
Revenues
Operating lease revenue	179,898	171,950
Operating expenses
Operating expenses excluding general, administrative, depreciation and lease expense	79,010	75,808
On-campus participating properties
Revenues
Operating lease revenue	9,200	8,188
Operating expenses
Operating expenses excluding general, administrative, depreciation and lease expense	2,668	2,482
Partially owned properties
Discontinued operations:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	-323	-88
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Revenues
Third-party development services	564	187
Third-party management services	2,001	1,985
Resident services	830	873
Total revenues	192,493	183,183
Operating expenses
Third-party development and management services	3,047	2,786
General and administrative	4,843	4,374
Depreciation and amortization	50,651	48,175
Ground/facility leases	2,098	1,563
Total operating expenses	142,317	135,188
Operating income	50,176	47,995
Nonoperating income and (expense)
Interest income	1,112	1,031
Interest expense	-21,988	-21,090
Amortization of deferred financing costs	-1,379	-1,499
Gain from disposition of real estate	44,252	0
Loss from early extinguishment of debt	-595	0
Total nonoperating income (expense)	21,402	-21,558
Income before income taxes and discontinued operations	71,578	26,437
Income tax provision	-311	-290
Income from continuing operations	71,267	26,147
Discontinued operations:
Loss attributable to discontinued operations	0	-123
Gain from disposition of real estate	0	2,843
Total discontinued operations	0	2,720
Net income	71,267	28,867
Net income attributable to common shareholders	70,944	28,779
Series A preferred unit distributions	-44	-45
Net income available to common shareholders/unitholders	70,900	28,734
Other comprehensive income (loss)
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	-1,868	-993
Comprehensive income	69,032	27,741
Income per unit attributable to common unitholders – basic and diluted
Income from continuing operations per unit (in dollars per unit)	$0.63	$0.24
Net income per unit (in dollars per unit)	$0.63	$0.27
Weighted-average common units outstanding
Basic (in shares)	112,128,315	106,051,888
Diluted (in shares)	112,864,146	106,787,052
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Wholly-owned properties
Revenues
Operating lease revenue	179,898	171,950
Operating expenses
Operating expenses excluding general, administrative, depreciation and lease expense	79,010	75,808
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | On-campus participating properties
Revenues
Operating lease revenue	9,200	8,188
Operating expenses
Operating expenses excluding general, administrative, depreciation and lease expense	2,668	2,482
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Partially owned properties
Discontinued operations:
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests	($323)	($88)

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CHA

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY/ CAPITAL (unaudited) (USD $)	Total	Common shares	Additional Paid in Capital	Accumulated Earnings and Dividends	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests	AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.	AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified						Partially owned properties		Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests	General Partner	Limited Partner
									Partially owned properties
Capital, December 31, 2014 at Dec. 31, 2014							$2,615,283	($6,072)	$5,729	$100	$2,615,526
Equity, December 31, 2014 at Dec. 31, 2014	2,615,283	1,072	3,102,540	-487,986	-6,072	5,729
Equity, December 31, 2014 (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2014		107,175,236
Capital, December 31, 2014 (in units) at Dec. 31, 2014										12,222	107,163,014
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Adjustments to reflect redeemable limited partners' / noncontrolling interests at fair value	-1,072		-1,072				-1,072				-1,072
Amortization of restricted stock awards	2,061		2,061				2,061				2,061
Vesting of restricted stock awards (in shares)		116,166									116,166
Vesting of restricted stock awards	-2,878	1	-2,879				-2,878				-2,878
Distributions to common and restricted stockholders	-42,964			-42,964			-42,964			-5	-42,959
Distributions to noncontrolling interests - partially owned properties	-394					-394	-394		-394
Increase in ownership of consolidated subsidiary	-1,708		-208			-1,500	-1,708		-1,500		-208
Conversion of operating partnership units to common stock (shares)	76,183	76,183									76,183
Conversion of operating partnership units to common stock	2,578	1	2,577				2,578				2,578
Net proceeds from sale of common stock/Issuance of units in exchange for contributions of equity offering proceeds (shares)		4,933,665									4,933,665
Net proceeds from sale of common stock/Issuance of units in exchange for contributions of equity offering proceeds	212,741	49	212,692				212,741				212,741
Change in fair value of interest rate swaps	-1,868				-1,868		-1,868	-1,868
Amortization of interest rate swap terminations	102				102		102	102
Net income	70,520			70,197		323	70,520		323	8	70,189
Capital, March 31, 2015 at Mar. 31, 2015							2,852,401	-7,838	4,158	103	2,855,978
Equity, March 31, 2015 at Mar. 31, 2015	$2,852,401	$1,123	$3,315,711	($460,753)	($7,838)	$4,158
Equity, March 31, 2015 (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2015		112,301,250
Capital, March 31, 2015 (in units) at Mar. 31, 2015										12,222	112,289,028

CONSOLIDATED_STATEMENTS_OF_CAS

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (unaudited) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Operating activities
Net income	$71,267	$28,867
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gains from disposition of real estate	-44,252	-2,843
Depreciation and amortization	50,273	48,222
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt premiums/discounts	-1,540	-1,666
Share-based compensation	2,061	1,864
Income tax provision	311	290
Amortization of interest rate swap terminations	102	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	-2,971	-2,911
Student contracts receivable, net	1,585	1,211
Other assets	11,667	4,585
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-21,509	-19,990
Other liabilities	7,240	3,437
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,234	61,066
Investing activities
Proceeds from disposition of properties	226,532	1,327
Cash paid for property acquisitions	-166,581	-9,117
Cash paid for land acquisitions	0	-2,952
Investment in on-campus participating property under development	-448	-11,959
Decrease in escrow deposits for investment transactions	512	520
Change in restricted cash related to capital reserves	1,377	2,208
Increase in ownership of consolidated subsidiary	-1,708	0
Purchase of corporate furniture, fixtures and equipment	-2,213	-878
Net cash used in investing activities	-11,329	-89,989
Financing activities
Proceeds from sale of common stock	216,666	0
Offering costs	-3,250	0
Pay-off of mortgage and construction loans	-125,370	-68,574
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	172,200	143,400
Pay downs of revolving credit facilities	-282,800	-22,400
Proceeds from construction loan	258	12,162
Scheduled principal payments on debt	-3,841	-4,221
Debt issuance and assumption costs	-196	-396
Distributions to common and restricted stockholders	-42,964	-38,043
Distributions to noncontrolling partners	-858	-545
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-70,155	21,383
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-7,250	-7,540
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,062	38,751
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	17,812	31,211
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Loans assumed in connection with property acquisitions	-11,623	0
Issuance of common units in connection with property acquisitions	-14,182	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net	-1,868	-993
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest paid	21,151	24,300
Wholly-owned properties
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for wholly-owned properties/on-campus participating properties	-11,495	-8,815
Investments in wholly-owned properties under development	-56,972	-59,990
On-campus participating properties
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for wholly-owned properties/on-campus participating properties	-333	-333
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Operating activities
Net income	71,267	28,867
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Gains from disposition of real estate	-44,252	-2,843
Depreciation and amortization	50,273	48,222
Amortization of deferred financing costs and debt premiums/discounts	-1,540	-1,666
Share-based compensation	2,061	1,864
Income tax provision	311	290
Amortization of interest rate swap terminations	102	0
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Restricted cash	-2,971	-2,911
Student contracts receivable, net	1,585	1,211
Other assets	11,667	4,585
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	-21,509	-19,990
Other liabilities	7,240	3,437
Net cash provided by operating activities	74,234	61,066
Investing activities
Proceeds from disposition of properties	226,532	1,327
Cash paid for property acquisitions	-166,581	-9,117
Cash paid for land acquisitions	0	-2,952
Investment in on-campus participating property under development	-448	-11,959
Decrease in escrow deposits for investment transactions	512	520
Change in restricted cash related to capital reserves	1,377	2,208
Increase in ownership of consolidated subsidiary	-1,708	0
Purchase of corporate furniture, fixtures and equipment	-2,213	-878
Net cash used in investing activities	-11,329	-89,989
Financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of common units in exchange for contributions, net	213,416	0
Pay-off of mortgage and construction loans	-125,370	-68,574
Proceeds from revolving credit facilities	172,200	143,400
Pay downs of revolving credit facilities	-282,800	-22,400
Proceeds from construction loan	258	12,162
Scheduled principal payments on debt	-3,841	-4,221
Debt issuance and assumption costs	-196	-396
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities	-70,155	21,383
Net change in cash and cash equivalents	-7,250	-7,540
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	25,062	38,751
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	17,812	31,211
Supplemental disclosure of non-cash investing and financing activities
Loans assumed in connection with property acquisitions	-11,623	0
Issuance of common units in connection with property acquisitions	-14,182	0
Change in fair value of derivative instruments, net	-1,868	-993
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information
Interest paid	21,151	24,300
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Unvested Restricted Awards
Financing activities
Distributions paid	-334	-321
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Common units
Financing activities
Distributions paid	-43,094	-38,210
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Partially owned properties
Financing activities
Distributions to noncontrolling partners	-394	-57
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Wholly-owned properties
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for wholly-owned properties/on-campus participating properties	-11,495	-8,815
Investments in wholly-owned properties under development	-56,972	-59,990
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | On-campus participating properties
Investing activities
Capital expenditures for wholly-owned properties/on-campus participating properties	($333)	($333)

Organization_and_Description_o

Organization and Description of Business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and Description of Business	Organization and Description of Business
	American Campus Communities, Inc. (“ACC”) is a real estate investment trust (“REIT”) that commenced operations effective with the completion of an initial public offering (“IPO”) on August 17, 2004.  Through ACC’s controlling interest in American Campus Communities Operating Partnership, L.P. (“ACCOP”), ACC is one of the largest owners, managers and developers of high quality student housing properties in the United States in terms of beds owned and under management.  ACC is a fully integrated, self-managed and self-administered equity REIT with expertise in the acquisition, design, financing, development, construction management, leasing and management of student housing properties.  ACC’s common stock is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the ticker symbol “ACC.”
	The general partner of ACCOP is American Campus Communities Holdings, LLC (“ACC Holdings”), an entity that is wholly-owned by ACC.  As of March 31, 2015, ACC Holdings held an ownership interest in ACCOP of less than 1%. The limited partners of ACCOP are ACC and other limited partners consisting of current and former members of management and nonaffiliated third parties.  As of March 31, 2015, ACC owned an approximate 98.6% limited partnership interest in ACCOP.  As the sole member of the general partner of ACCOP, ACC has exclusive control of ACCOP’s day-to-day management.  Management operates ACC and ACCOP as one business.  The management of ACC consists of the same members as the management of ACCOP.  ACC consolidates ACCOP for financial reporting purposes, and ACC does not have significant assets other than its investment in ACCOP.  Therefore, the assets and liabilities of ACC and ACCOP are the same on their respective financial statements.  References to the “Company,” “we,” “us” or “our” mean collectively ACC, ACCOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ACC and/or ACCOP.  References to the “Operating Partnership” mean collectively ACCOP and those entities/subsidiaries owned or controlled by ACCOP.  Unless otherwise indicated, the accompanying Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements apply to both the Company and the Operating Partnership.
	As of March 31, 2015, our property portfolio contained 164 properties with approximately 100,000 beds in approximately 32,500 units.  Our property portfolio consisted of 139 owned off-campus student housing properties that are in close proximity to colleges and universities, 20 American Campus Equity (“ACE®”) properties operated under ground/facility leases with ten university systems and five on-campus participating properties operated under ground/facility leases with the related university systems.  Of the 164 properties, seven were under development as of March 31, 2015, and when completed will consist of a total of approximately 4,700 beds in approximately 1,200 units.  Our communities contain modern housing units and are supported by a resident assistant system and other student-oriented programming, with many offering resort-style amenities.
	Through one of ACC’s taxable REIT subsidiaries (“TRSs”), we also provide construction management and development services, primarily for student housing properties owned by colleges and universities, charitable foundations, and others.  As of March 31, 2015, also through one of ACC’s TRSs, we provided third-party management and leasing services for 39 properties that represented approximately 30,100 beds in approximately 11,700 units.  Third-party management and leasing services are typically provided pursuant to management contracts that have initial terms that range from one to five years.  As of March 31, 2015, our total owned and third-party managed portfolio included 203 properties with approximately 130,100 beds in approximately 44,200 units.

Summary_of_Significant_Account

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of Significant Accounting Policies	Summary of Significant Accounting Policies
	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements, presented in U.S. dollars, are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Our actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. All material intercompany transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated. All dollar amounts in the tables herein, except share, per share, unit and per unit amounts, are stated in thousands unless otherwise indicated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 ("ASU 2015-03"), "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 requires all costs incurred to issue debt be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt rather than being recorded as a deferred charge and presented as an asset. ASU 2015-03 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-03 as of January 1, 2016 and does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02 ("ASU 2015-02"), "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” ASU 2015-02 changes the analysis a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. ASU 2015-02 modifies whether limited partnerships and similar entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting interest entities and eliminates the presumption a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. ASU 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), "Revenue From Contracts With Customers". ASU 2014-09 provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for contracts with customers (excluding certain contracts, such as lease contracts) to improve comparability within industries. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount the entity expects to be paid in exchange for those goods and services and provide enhanced disclosures, all to provide more comprehensive guidance for transactions such as service revenue and contract modifications. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and may be applied using either a full retrospective or modified approach upon adoption. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	Interim Financial Statements
	The accompanying interim financial statements are unaudited, but have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, they do not include all disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements of the Company for these interim periods have been included.  Because of the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations, the results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for other interim periods or for the full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
	Investments in Real Estate
	Investments in real estate are recorded at historical cost.  Major improvements that extend the life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset.  The cost of ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred.  Depreciation and amortization are recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Buildings and improvements		7-40 years
	Leasehold interest - on-campus		25-34 years (shorter of useful life or respective lease term)
	participating properties
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		3-7 years
	Project costs directly associated with the development and construction of an owned real estate project, which include interest, property taxes, and amortization of deferred finance costs, are capitalized as construction in progress.  Upon completion of the project, costs are transferred into the applicable asset category and depreciation commences.  Interest totaling approximately $2.5 million and $2.2 million was capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Management assesses whether there has been an impairment in the value of the Company’s investments in real estate whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Impairment is recognized when estimated expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the property, or when it is probable that a property will be sold prior to the end of its estimated useful life, at which time an impairment charge is recognized for any excess of the carrying value of the property over the expected net proceeds from the disposal.  The estimation of expected future net cash flows is inherently uncertain and relies on assumptions regarding current and future economics and market conditions.  If such conditions change, then an adjustment to the carrying value of the Company’s long-lived assets could occur in the future period in which the conditions change.  To the extent that a property is impaired, the excess of the carrying amount of the property over its estimated fair value is charged to earnings. The Company believes that there were no impairments of the carrying values of its investments in real estate as of March 31, 2015.
	The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets based on relative fair values.  Fair value estimates are based on information obtained from a number of sources, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our own analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio, and other market data.  Information obtained about each property as a result of due diligence, marketing and leasing activities is also considered.  The value allocated to land is generally based on the actual purchase price adjusted to fair value (as necessary) if acquired separately, or market research/comparables if acquired as part of an existing operating property.  The value allocated to building is based on the fair value determined on an “as-if vacant” basis, which is estimated using an income, or discounted cash flow, approach that relies upon internally determined assumptions that we believe are consistent with current market conditions for similar properties. The value allocated to furniture, fixtures, and equipment is based on an estimate of the fair value of the appliances and fixtures inside the units. We have determined these estimates to have been primarily based upon unobservable inputs and therefore are considered to be Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
	We record the acquisition of undeveloped land parcels that do not meet the accounting criteria to be accounted for as business combinations at the purchase price paid and capitalize the associated acquisition costs.
	Long-Lived Assets–Held for Sale
	Long-lived assets to be disposed of are classified as held for sale in the period in which all of the following criteria are met:
	a.	Management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset.
	b.	The asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets.
	c.	An active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated.
	d.	The sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year.
	e.	The asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value.
	f.	Actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
	Concurrent with this classification, the asset is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs, and depreciation ceases.
	Discontinued Operations
	A discontinued operation represents (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale in a single transaction and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results, or (ii) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the date of acquisition. A strategic shift could include a disposal of (i) a separate major line of business, (ii) a separate major geographic area of operations, (iii) a major equity method investment, or (iv) other major parts of an entity. The Company classifies disposals of real estate that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation within income from continuing operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	Loans Receivable
	Loans held for investment are intended to be held to maturity and, accordingly, are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan purchase discounts, and net of an allowance for loan losses when such loan is deemed to be impaired.  Loan purchase discounts are amortized over the term of the loan.  The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for both principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Management’s estimate of the collectability of principal and interest payments under the company’s loans receivable from CaPFA Capital Corp. 2000F (“CaPFA”), which mature in December 2040 and carry a balance of approximately $55.0 million as of March 31, 2015, are highly dependent on the future operating performance of the properties securing the loans.  As future economic conditions and/or market conditions at the properties change, management will continue to evaluate the collectability of such amounts. The Company believes there were no impairments of the carrying value of its loans receivable as of March 31, 2015. Loans receivable are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Intangible Assets
	A portion of the purchase price of acquired properties is allocated to the value of in-place leases for both student and commercial tenants, which is based on the difference between (i) the property valued with existing in-place leases adjusted to market rental rates and (ii) the property valued “as-if” vacant.  As lease terms for student leases are typically one year or less, rates on in-place leases generally approximate market rental rates.  Factors considered in the valuation of in-place leases include an estimate of the carrying costs during the expected lease-up period considering current market conditions, nature of the tenancy, and costs to execute similar leases.  Carrying costs include estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up period, as well as marketing and other operating expenses.  The value of in-place leases is amortized over the remaining initial term of the respective leases.  The purchase price of property acquisitions is not expected to be allocated to student tenant relationships, considering the terms of the leases and the expected levels of renewals.
	In connection with the property acquisitions discussed in Note 3 herein, the Company capitalized approximately $2.1 million and $-0- for the periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, related to management’s estimate of the fair value of in-place leases assumed.  Amortization expense was approximately $0.6 million and $0.9 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  Accumulated amortization at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 was approximately $28.5 million and $27.9 million, respectively.  The value of in-place leases, net of amortization, is included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and the amortization of in-place leases is included in depreciation and amortization expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	For acquired properties subject to an in-place property tax incentive arrangement, a portion of the purchase price is allocated to the present value of expected future property tax savings over the projected incentive arrangement period. Unamortized in-place property tax incentive arrangements as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014 were approximately $42.1 million and $36.7 million, respectively, and are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of in-place property tax incentive arrangements is included in wholly-owned properties operating expense in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	Mortgage Debt - Premiums and Discounts
	Mortgage debt premiums and discounts represent fair value adjustments to account for the difference between the stated rates and market rates of mortgage debt assumed in connection with the Company’s property acquisitions.  The mortgage debt premiums and discounts are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related mortgage loans using the effective-interest method.  The amortization of mortgage debt premiums and discounts resulted in a net decrease to interest expense of approximately $3.0 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, net unamortized mortgage debt premiums were approximately $58.6 million and $60.6 million, respectively, and net unamortized mortgage debt discounts were approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.  Mortgage debt premiums and discounts are included in secured mortgage, construction and bond debt on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortization of mortgage debt premiums and discounts is included in interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	Unsecured Notes - Original Issue Discount
	In April 2013 and again in June 2014, the Company issued $400 million of senior unsecured notes (see Note 8) at 99.659 percent and 99.861 percent of par value, respectively, and recorded an original issue discount of approximately $1.4 million and $0.6 million, respectively. The total unamortized original issue discount was approximately $1.7 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, and is included in unsecured notes on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of the original issue discounts of approximately $41,000 and $29,000 for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively, is included in interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
	Pre-development Expenditures
	Pre-development expenditures such as architectural fees, permits and deposits associated with the pursuit of third-party and owned development projects are expensed as incurred, until such time that management believes it is probable that the contract will be executed and/or construction will commence.  Because the Company frequently incurs these pre-development expenditures before a financing commitment and/or required permits and authorizations have been obtained, the Company bears the risk of loss of these pre-development expenditures if financing cannot ultimately be arranged on acceptable terms or the Company is unable to successfully obtain the required permits and authorizations.  As such, management evaluates the status of third-party and owned projects that have not yet commenced construction on a periodic basis and expenses any deferred costs related to projects whose current status indicates the commencement of construction is unlikely and/or the costs may not provide future value to the Company in the form of revenues.  Such write-offs are included in third-party development and management services expenses (in the case of third-party development projects) or general and administrative expenses (in the case of owned development projects) on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company has deferred approximately $2.5 million in pre-development costs related to third-party and owned development projects that have not yet commenced construction.  Such costs are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
	Earnings per Share – Company
	Basic earnings per share is computed using net income attributable to common shareholders and the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflect common shares issuable from the assumed conversion of Operating Partnership units ("OP Units") and common share awards granted.  Only those items having a dilutive impact on basic earnings per share are included in diluted earnings per share.
	The following potentially dilutive securities were outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effects of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Common OP Units (Note 10)		—			1,230,219
	Preferred OP Units (Note 10)		—			112,628
	Total potentially dilutive securities		—			1,342,847
	The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015				2014
	Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Income from continuing operations		$	71,267			$	26,147
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		(1,070		)		(435		)
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders		70,197				25,712
	Amount allocated to participating securities		(334		)		(321		)
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities		69,863				25,391
	Income from discontinued operations		—				2,720
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests		—				(34		)
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders		—				2,686
Net income attributable to common shareholders		$	69,863			$	28,077
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding		110,955,099				104,821,669
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards (Note 11)		735,831				735,164
Common OP units (Note 10)		1,173,216				—
Preferred OP units (Note 10)		110,359				—
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding		112,974,505				105,556,833
Earnings per share – basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities		$	0.63			$	0.24
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders		$	—			$	0.03
Net income attributable to common shareholders		$	0.63			$	0.27
Earnings per share – diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities		$	0.62			$	0.24
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders		$	—			$	0.03
Net income attributable to common shareholders		$	0.62			$	0.27
Distributions declared per common share		$	0.38			$	0.36
Earnings per Unit – Operating Partnership
Basic earnings per OP Unit is computed using net income attributable to common unitholders and the weighted average number of common units outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per OP Unit reflects the potential dilution that could occur if securities or other contracts to issue OP Units were exercised or converted into OP Units or resulted in the issuance of OP Units and then shared in the earnings of the Operating Partnership.
The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per unit:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per unit:
Income from continuing operations		$	71,267			$	26,147
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests – partially owned properties		(323		)		(88		)
Income from continuing operations attributable to Series A preferred units		(44		)		(42		)
Amount allocated to participating securities		(334		)		(321		)
Income from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities		70,566				25,696
Income from discontinued operations		—				2,720
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Series A preferred units		—				(3		)
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common unitholders		—				2,717
Net income attributable to common unitholders		$	70,566			$	28,413
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common units outstanding		112,128,315				106,051,888
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards (Note 11)		735,831				735,164
Diluted weighted average common units outstanding		112,864,146				106,787,052
Earnings per unit - basic and diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities		$	0.63			$	0.24
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common unitholders		$	—			$	0.03
Net income attributable to common unitholders		$	0.63			$	0.27
Distributions declared per common unit		$	0.38			$	0.36

Property_Acquisitions

Property Acquisitions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Property Acquisitions	Property Acquisitions
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company acquired the following wholly-owned properties containing 2,298 beds for approximately $195.3 million:
	Property		Location		Primary University Served	Units		Beds
	Park Point (1)		Syracuse, NY		Syracuse University	66		226
	University Walk (2)		Knoxville, TN		University of Tennessee	177		526
	1200 West Marshall		Richmond, VA		Virginia Commonwealth University	136		406
	8 1/2 Canal Street (3)		Richmond, VA		Virginia Commonwealth University	160		540
	Vistas San Marcos		San Marcos, TX		Texas State University	255		600
	(1)	As part of this transaction, the Company assumed approximately $11.6 million of fixed rate mortgage debt.
	(2)	University Walk opened for operations in August 2014 and was purchased by the Company in February 2015. This property was consolidated for financial reporting purposes prior to the acquisition date because the entity that owned this property was deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
	(3)	As part of this transaction, the Company issued 343,895 common OP Units to the seller, valued at $41.24 per unit.
	The acquired property’s results of operations have been included in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income since the respective acquisition closing dates.  The following pro forma information for three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014 presents consolidated financial information for the Company as if the property acquisitions discussed above had occurred at the beginning of the earliest period presented.  The pro forma information is provided for informational purposes only and is not indicative of results that would have occurred or which may occur in the future:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Total revenues		$	195,732		$	186,921
	Net income attributable to common shareholders		$	73,076		$	26,595
	Net income per share attributable to common shareholders, as adjusted - basic		$	0.66		$	0.25
	Net income per share attributable to common shareholders, as adjusted - diluted		$	0.64		$	0.25

Property_Dispositions_and_Disc

Property Dispositions and Discontinued Operations	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Property Dispositions and Discontinued Operations	Property Dispositions and Discontinued Operations
	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company sold the following wholly-owned properties containing 6,001 beds for approximately $231.0 million, resulting in proceeds of approximately $226.5 million. The combined net gain on these dispositions of approximately $44.3 million is included in income from continuing operations on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Property	Location		Primary University Served	Units	Beds
	The Highlands	Reno, NV		University of Nevada at Reno	216	732
	The View	Lincoln, NE		University of Nebraska	157	590
	Chapel Ridge	Chapel Hill, NC		University of North Carolina	180	544
	Chapel View	Chapel Hill, NC		University of North Carolina	224	358
	The Village at Alafaya Club	Orlando, FL		University of Central Florida	228	839
	University Place	Charlottesville, VA		University of Virginia	144	528
	University Greens	Norman, OK		University of Oklahoma	156	516
	University Meadows	Mt. Pleasant, MI		Central Michigan University	184	616
	The Outpost San Marcos	San Marcos, TX		Texas State University	162	486
	Eagles Trail	Hattiesburg, MS		University of Southern Mississippi	216	792
	In February 2014, the Company sold Hawks Landing, a 122-unit, 484-bed owned off-campus property located near the campus of Miami University of Ohio for a sales price of approximately $17.3 million, including the assumption of an existing $15.6 million mortgage loan by the purchaser, resulting in net proceeds of approximately $1.3 million. Because Hawks Landing was classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2013, the resulting gain on disposition of approximately $2.8 million is included in discontinued operations on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Below is a summary of the results of operations for Hawks Landing:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Total revenues	$	279
	Total operating expenses	(239		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—
	Operating income	40
	Total nonoperating expenses	(163		)
	Net loss	$	(123	)

Investments_in_WhollyOwned_Pro

Investments in Wholly-Owned Properties (Wholly-owned properties)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Wholly-owned properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Investments in Wholly-Owned Properties	Investments in Wholly-Owned Properties
	Wholly-owned properties consisted of the following:
			March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Land (1)		$	575,879		$	571,242
	Buildings and improvements		5,033,845			4,937,345
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		290,592			289,168
	Construction in progress		237,877			185,414
			6,138,193			5,983,169
	Less accumulated depreciation		(708,474		)	(674,462		)
	Wholly-owned properties, net		$	5,429,719		$	5,308,707		(2)
	(1)	The land balance above includes undeveloped land parcels with book values of approximately $40.6 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  Also includes land totaling approximately $30.6 million and $30.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, related to properties under development.
	(2)	The balance above excludes the net book value of seven wholly-owned properties classified as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (see Note 4). These properties were sold in January 2015.

OnCampus_Participating_Propert

On-Campus Participating Properties (On-campus participating properties)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
On-campus participating properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
On-Campus Participating Properties	On-Campus Participating Properties
	On-campus participating properties are as follows:
					Historical Cost
	Lessor/University		Lease	Required Debt	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
			Commencement	Repayment
	Texas A&M University System / Prairie View A&M University (1)		2/1/96	9/1/23	$	43,115		$	43,036
	Texas A&M University System / Texas A&M International		2/1/96	9/1/23	27,008			6,937
	Texas A&M University System / Prairie View A&M University (2)		10/1/99	8/31/25	6,975			26,828
				8/31/28
	University of Houston System / University of Houston (3)		9/27/00	8/31/35	36,635			36,606
	West Virginia University Project / West Virginia University		7/16/13	7/16/45	43,643			43,636
					157,376			157,043
	Less accumulated amortization				(64,617		)	(62,915		)
	On-campus participating properties, net				$	92,759		$	94,128
	(1)	Consists of three phases placed in service between 1996 and 1998.
	(2)	Consists of two phases placed in service in 2000 and 2003.
	(3)	Consists of two phases placed in service in 2001 and 2005.

Investments_in_Unconsolidated_

Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures	Investments in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures
	As of March 31, 2015, the Company owned a noncontrolling interest in one unconsolidated joint venture that is accounted for utilizing the equity method of accounting.  The Company discontinued applying the equity method in regards to its investment in this joint venture as a result of the Company’s share of losses exceeding its investment in the joint venture.  Because the Company had not guaranteed any obligations of the investee and was not otherwise committed to provide further financial support to the investee, it therefore suspended recording its share of losses once the investment was reduced to zero.  The Company also earns fees for providing management services to this joint venture, which totaled approximately $0.3 million and $0.4 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt
	A summary of the Company’s outstanding consolidated indebtedness, including unamortized debt premiums and discounts, is as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Debt secured by wholly-owned properties:
	Mortgage loans payable:
	Unpaid principal balance	$	1,022,304		$	1,094,306
	Unamortized debt premiums	58,582			60,586
	Unamortized debt discounts	(662		)	(895		)
		1,080,224			1,153,997
	Construction loans payable	—			63,637
		1,080,224			1,217,634
	Debt secured by on-campus participating properties:
	Mortgage loan payable	30,315			30,553
	Bonds payable	39,785			39,785
	Construction loan payable	44,200			43,942
		114,300			114,280
	Total secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	1,194,524			1,331,914
	Unsecured notes, net of unamortized original issue discount	798,347			798,305
	Unsecured revolving credit facility	131,900			242,500
	Unsecured term loans	600,000			600,000
	Total debt	$	2,724,771		$	2,972,719
	Pay-off of Mortgage and Construction Debt
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company paid off approximately $61.4 million of fixed rate mortgage debt secured by three wholly-owned properties (Newtown Crossing, Olde Towne University Square and Peninsular Place). In addition, the Company paid off approximately $19.3 million of fixed rate mortgage debt prior to the sale of The View and University Meadows in January and February 2015, respectively.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, the Company also paid off approximately $44.6 million of variable rate construction debt secured by two owned on-campus ACE properties (The Suites and Hilltop Townhomes). The remaining decrease in construction loans payable of $19.0 million is related to our purchase of University Walk in February 2015, as the seller/developer paid off the outstanding construction loan balance with sales proceeds.
	Unsecured Notes
	In June 2014, the Operating Partnership issued an additional $400 million in senior unsecured notes under its existing shelf registration.  These 10-year notes were issued at 99.861 percent of par value with a coupon of 4.125 percent and a yield of 4.142 percent, and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by the Company.  Interest on the notes is payable semi-annually on January 1 and July 1, with the first payment beginning on January 1, 2015. The notes will mature on July 1, 2024.  Net proceeds from the sale of the unsecured notes totaled approximately $395.3 million after deducting the underwriting discount and offering expenses. The underwriting discount and offering expenses were capitalized to deferred financing costs and will be amortized over the term of the unsecured notes.  The Company used $340 million of the offering proceeds to pay down the outstanding balance on its revolving credit facility in full.  The terms of the unsecured notes include certain financial covenants that require the Operating Partnership to limit the amount of total debt and secured debt as a percentage of total asset value, as defined.  In addition, the Operating Partnership must maintain a minimum ratio of unencumbered asset value to unsecured debt, as well as a minimum interest coverage level. As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.
	In connection with the issuance of unsecured notes discussed above, the Company terminated two forward starting interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts totaling $200 million, resulting in payments to both counterparties totaling approximately $4.1 million, which were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the unsecured notes. When including the effect of these interest rate swap terminations, the effective yield on the unsecured notes is 4.269%. Refer to Note 12 for more information on the interest rate swap contracts mentioned above.
	Unsecured Credit Facility
	The Company has an aggregate unsecured credit facility totaling $1.1 billion which is comprised of two unsecured term loans totaling $600 million and a $500 million unsecured revolving credit facility, which may be expanded by up to an additional $500 million upon the satisfaction of certain conditions. The maturity date of the unsecured revolving credit facility is March 1, 2018, and can be extended for an additional 12 months to March 1, 2019, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The maturity date of the $350 million term loan facility ("Term Loan I Facility") is January 10, 2017 and can be extended to January 10, 2019 through the exercise of two 12-month extension options, subject to the satisfaction of certain conditions. The maturity date of the $250 million term loan ("Term Loan II Facility") is March 1, 2019.
	Each loan bears interest at a variable rate, at the Company’s option, based upon a base rate or one-, two-, three- or six-month LIBOR, plus, in each case, a spread based upon the Company’s investment grade rating from either Moody’s Investor Services, Inc. or Standard & Poor’s Rating Group. As of March 31, 2015, the Term Loan II Facility bore interest at a variable rate of 1.68% per annum (0.18% + 1.50% spread). The Company has entered into multiple interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts totaling $350 million that effectively fix the interest rate to a weighted average annual rate of 0.89% on the outstanding balance of the Term Loan I Facility. Including the current spread of 1.50%, the all-in weighted average annual rate on the Term Loan I Facility was 2.39% at March 31, 2015. Refer to Note 12 for more information on the interest rate swap contracts mentioned above. Availability under the revolving credit facility is limited to an “aggregate borrowing base amount” equal to 60% of the value of the Company’s unencumbered properties, calculated as set forth in the unsecured credit facility.  Additionally, the Company is required to pay a facility fee of 0.25% per annum on the $500 million revolving credit facility.  As of March 31, 2015, the revolving credit facility bore interest at a weighted average annual rate of 1.73% (0.18% + 1.30% spread + 0.25% facility fee), and availability under the revolving credit facility totaled $368.1 million as of March 31, 2015.
	The terms of the unsecured credit facility include certain restrictions and covenants, which limit, among other items, the incurrence of additional indebtedness, liens, and the disposition of assets.  The facility contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and also contains financial covenants that, among other things, require the Company to maintain certain minimum ratios of “EBITDA” (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) to fixed charges and total indebtedness.  The Company may not pay distributions that exceed a specified percentage of funds from operations, as adjusted, for any four consecutive quarters.  The financial covenants also include consolidated net worth and leverage ratio tests.  As of March 31, 2015, the Company was in compliance with all such covenants.

Stockholders_Equity_Partners_C

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital	Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital
	Stockholders' Equity - Company
	In March 2013, the Company established an at-the-market share offering program (the “ATM Equity Program”) through which the Company may issue and sell, from time to time, shares of common stock having an aggregate offering price of up to $500 million.  Actual sales under the program will depend on a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, market conditions, the trading price of the Company’s common stock and determinations of the appropriate sources of funding for the Company.
	The following table presents activity under the Company’s ATM Equity Program during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Total net proceeds	$	213,416
	Commissions paid to sales agents	$	3,250
	Weighted average price per share	$	43.92
	Shares of common stock sold	4,933,665
	The Company did not sell any shares under the ATM Equity Program for the comparable three month period in 2014. As of March 31, 2015, the Company had approximately $194.0 million available for issuance under its ATM Equity Program.
	Partners’ Capital – Operating Partnership
	In connection with the ATM Equity Program discussed above, ACCOP issued a number of common OP units to ACC equivalent to the number of shares issued by ACC.
	In connection with our purchase of 8 1/2 Canal Street during the first quarter of 2015, we issued 343,895 common OP units to the seller, valued at $41.24 per unit. See Note 3 for more details.
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 76,183 common OP units were converted into an equal number of shares of ACC’s common stock.

Noncontrolling_Interests

Noncontrolling Interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling Interests	Noncontrolling Interests
	Operating Partnership
	Partially-owned properties: As of March 31, 2015, the Operating Partnership consolidates three joint ventures that own and operate University Village at Sweet Home, University Centre and Villas at Chestnut Ridge owned-off campus properties.  The portion of net assets attributable to the third-party partners in these joint ventures is classified as “noncontrolling interests - partially owned properties” within capital on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership.  Accordingly, the third-party partners’ share of the income or loss of the joint ventures is reported on the consolidated statements of comprehensive income of the Operating Partnership as “net income attributable to noncontrolling interests – partially owned properties.”
	As discussed in Note 3, the Company entered into a purchase and contribution agreement with a private developer whereby the Company was obligated to purchase the property (University Walk) as long as the developer met certain construction completion deadlines and other closing conditions.  The $1.5 million equity contribution from the developer is reflected as noncontrolling interests - partially owned properties within capital on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership as of December 31, 2014. The Company purchased University Walk in February 2015 and paid approximately $1.7 million in cash consideration for the remaining noncontrolling interest and recognized the $0.2 million excess of consideration paid over the carrying amount of the noncontrolling interest acquired as an adjustment to additional paid in capital in the accompanying consolidated statement of changes in capital.
	OP Units:  For the portion of OP Units that the Operating Partnership is required, either by contract or securities law, to deliver registered common shares of ACC to the exchanging OP unit holder, or for which the Operating Partnership has the intent or history of exchanging such units for cash, we classify the units as “redeemable limited partners” in the mezzanine section of the consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership.  The units classified as such include Series A preferred units as well as common units that are not held by ACC or ACC Holdings.  The value of redeemable limited partners on the consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership is reported at the greater of fair value, which is based on the closing market value of the Company's common stock, or historical cost at the end of each reporting period.  Changes in the value from period to period are charged to limited partner’s capital on the consolidated statement of changes in capital of the Operating Partnership.
	Below is a table summarizing the activity of redeemable limited partners for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	31-Dec-14	$	54,472
	Net income	747
	Distributions	(464		)
	Redeemable limited partner units issued as consideration (see Note 3)	14,182
	Conversion of redeemable limited partner units into shares of ACC common stock	(2,577		)
	Adjustments to reflect redeemable limited partner units at fair value	1,072
	31-Mar-15	$	67,432
	During the three months ended March 31, 2015, 76,183 common OP units were converted into an equal number of shares of ACC's common stock and during the year ended December 31, 2014, 50,000 common OP units and 2,269 Series A preferred units were converted into an equal number of shares of ACC's common stock. As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, approximately 1.4% and 1.2%, respectively, of the equity interests of the Operating Partnership were held by owners of common OP Units and Series A preferred units not held by ACC or ACC Holdings.
	Company
	The noncontrolling interests of the Company include the third-party equity interests in partially-owned properties, as discussed above, which are presented as a component of equity in the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  The Company’s noncontrolling interests also include the redeemable limited partners presented in the consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership, which are referred to as “redeemable noncontrolling interests” in the mezzanine section of the Company’s consolidated balance sheets.  Noncontrolling interests on the Company’s consolidated statements of comprehensive income include the income/loss attributable to third-party equity interests in partially-owned properties, as well as the income/loss attributable to redeemable noncontrolling interests (i.e. OP Units not held by ACC or ACC Holdings.)

Incentive_Award_Plan

Incentive Award Plan	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Incentive Award Plan	Incentive Award Plan
	Restricted Stock Awards (“RSAs”)
	A summary of ACC’s RSAs under the American Campus Communities, Inc. 2010 Incentive Award Plan (the "Plan") as of March 31, 2015 and activity during the three months then ended, is presented below:
		Number of RSAs
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014	609,514
	Granted	271,265
	Vested	(116,166	)
	Forfeited (1)	(78,215	)
	Nonvested balance at March 31, 2015	686,398
	(1) Includes shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations upon vesting.
	The fair value of RSAs is calculated based on the closing market value of ACC’s common stock on the date of grant.  The fair value of these awards is amortized to expense over the vesting periods, which amounted to approximately $2.1 million and $1.9 million for three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives Instruments and Hedging Activities	Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities
	The Company is exposed to certain risk arising from both its business operations and economic conditions.  The Company principally manages its exposures to a wide variety of business and operational risks through management of its core business activities.  The Company manages economic risks, including interest rate, liquidity, and credit risk primarily by managing the amount, sources, and duration of its debt funding and the use of derivative financial instruments.  Specifically, the Company enters into derivative financial instruments to manage exposures that arise from business activities that result in the receipt or payment of future known and uncertain cash amounts, the value of which are determined by interest rates.  The Company’s derivative financial instruments are used to manage differences in the amount, timing, and duration of the Company’s known or expected cash receipts and its known or expected cash payments principally related to the Company’s investments and borrowings.
	Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk
	The Company’s objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage its exposure to interest rate movements.  To accomplish this objective, the Company primarily uses interest rate swaps and forward starting swaps as part of its interest rate risk management strategy.  Interest rate swaps designated as cash flow hedges involve the receipt of variable-rate amounts from a counterparty in exchange for the Company making fixed-rate payments over the life of the agreements without exchange of the underlying notional amount.  Forward starting swaps are used to protect the Company against adverse fluctuations in interest rates by reducing its exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on a forecasted issuance of debt. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in other comprehensive income (outside of earnings) and subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of changes in the fair value of the derivative is recognized directly in earnings. Ineffectiveness resulting from the derivative instruments summarized below was immaterial for the three month periods ended March 31, 2015 and 2014.
	The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding interest rate swap contracts as of March 31, 2015:
	Hedged Debt Instrument	Effective Date	Maturity Date		Pay Fixed Rate	Receive Floating		Current Notional		Fair Value
						Rate Index		Amount
	Cullen Oaks mortgage loan	Feb 18, 2014	Feb 15, 2021		2.28%	LIBOR - 1 month		$	15,080	$	(640	)
	Cullen Oaks mortgage loan	Feb 18, 2014	Feb 15, 2021		2.28%	LIBOR - 1 month		15,235		(646		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.87%	LIBOR – 1 month		125,000		(608		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.88%	LIBOR – 1 month		100,000		(505		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.89%	LIBOR – 1 month		62,500		(325		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.89%	LIBOR – 1 month		62,500		(326		)
	Park Point mortgage loan	Nov 1, 2013	Oct 5, 2018		1.55%	LIBOR - 1 month		70,000		(1,120		)
						Total		$	450,315	$	(4,170	)
	In March 2014, the Company entered into two forward starting interest rate swap contracts with notional amounts totaling $200 million designated to hedge the Company's exposure to increasing interest rates related to interest payments on an anticipated issuance of unsecured notes. In connection with the issuance of unsecured notes in June 2014, the Company terminated both swap contracts resulting in payments to both counterparties totaling approximately $4.1 million, which were recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and will be amortized to interest expense over the term of the unsecured notes. As of March 31, 2015, approximately $0.3 million of the $4.1 million payment was amortized from accumulated other comprehensive loss to interest expense.
	The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		Liability Derivatives
			Fair Value as of
	Description	Balance Sheet	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		Location
	Interest rate swaps contracts	Other liabilities	$	4,170		$	2,306
	Total derivatives designated		$	4,170		$	2,306
	as hedging instruments

Fair_Value_Disclosures

Fair Value Disclosures	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Disclosures	Fair Value Disclosures
	The following table presents information about the Company’s financial instruments measured at fair value on a recurring basis as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and indicates the fair value hierarchy of the valuation techniques utilized by the Company to determine such fair value.  In general, fair values determined by Level 1 inputs utilize quoted prices (unadjusted) in active markets for identical assets or liabilities the Company has the ability to access.  Fair values determined by Level 2 inputs utilize inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1 that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly.  Level 2 inputs include quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets and inputs other than quoted prices observable for the asset or liability, such as interest rates and yield curves observable at commonly quoted intervals.  Level 3 inputs are unobservable inputs for the asset or liability, and include situations where there is little, if any, market activity for the asset or liability.
	In instances in which the inputs used to measure fair value may fall into different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level in the fair value hierarchy within which the fair value measurement in its entirety has been determined is based on the lowest level input significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety.  The Company’s assessment of the significance of a particular input to the fair value measurement in its entirety requires judgment, and considers factors specific to the asset or liability.
	Disclosures concerning financial instruments measured at fair value are as follows:
		Fair Value Measurements as of
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant		Total		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
		Identical Assets and		Observable		Inputs				Identical Assets and		Observable		Inputs		Total
		Liabilities (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		(Level 3)				Liabilities (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	4,170	$	—	$	4,170	$	—	$	2,306	$	—	$	2,306
	Mezzanine:
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Company)/Redeemable limited partners (Operating Partnership)	$	—	$	67,432	$	—	$	67,432	$	—	$	54,472	$	—	$	54,472
	The Company uses derivative financial instruments, specifically interest rate swaps and forward starting swaps, for nontrading purposes.  The Company uses interest rate swaps to manage interest rate risk arising from previously unhedged interest payments associated with variable rate debt and forward starting swaps to reduce exposure to variability in cash flows relating to interest payments on forecasted issuances of debt.  Through March 31, 2015, derivative financial instruments were designated and qualified as cash flow hedges.  Derivative contracts with positive net fair values inclusive of net accrued interest receipts or payments are recorded in other assets.  Derivative contracts with negative net fair values, inclusive of net accrued interest payments or receipts, are recorded in other liabilities.  The valuation of these instruments is determined using widely accepted valuation techniques including discounted cash flow analysis on the expected cash flows of each derivative.  This analysis reflects the contractual terms of the derivatives, including the period to maturity, and uses observable market-based inputs, including interest rate curves.  The fair values of interest rate swaps are determined using the market standard methodology of netting the discounted future fixed cash receipts (or payments) and the discounted expected variable cash payments (or receipts).  The variable cash payments (or receipts) are based on an expectation of future interest rates (forward curves) derived from observable market interest rate curves.
	The Company incorporates credit valuation adjustments to appropriately reflect its own nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements.  In adjusting the fair value of its derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Company has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds and guarantees.
	Although the Company has determined the majority of the inputs used to value its derivatives fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy, the credit valuation adjustments associated with its derivatives utilize Level 3 inputs, such as estimates of current credit spreads to evaluate the likelihood of default by the Company and its counterparty.  However, as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, the Company has assessed the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments on the overall valuation of its derivative positions and has determined that the credit valuation adjustments are not significant to the overall valuation of the Company’s derivative financial instruments.  As a result, the Company has determined each of its derivative valuations in its entirety is classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership have a redemption feature and are marked to their redemption value.  The redemption value is based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the redemption date, and therefore, is calculated based on the fair value of the Company’s common stock at the balance sheet date.  Since the valuation is based on observable inputs such as quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets, redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Operating Partnership are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Other Fair Value Disclosures
	Cash and Cash Equivalents, Restricted Cash, Student Contracts Receivable, Mezzanine Loans Receivable, Other Assets, Accounts Payable and Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities:  The Company estimates that the carrying amount approximates fair value, due to the short maturity of these instruments.
	Derivative Instruments: These instruments are reported on the balance sheet at fair value, which is based on calculations provided by independent, third-party financial institutions and represent the discounted future cash flows expected, based on the projected future interest rate curves over the life of the instrument.
	Unsecured Term Loans, Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility and Construction Loans: The fair value of these instruments approximates carrying values due to the variable interest rate feature of these instruments.
	Loans Receivable:  The fair value of loans receivable is based on a discounted cash flow analysis consisting of scheduled cash flows and discount rate estimates to approximate those that a willing buyer and seller might use.  These financial instruments utilize Level 3 inputs.
	Unsecured Notes: In calculating the fair value of unsecured notes, interest rate and spread assumptions reflect current creditworthiness and market conditions available for the issuance of unsecured notes with similar terms and remaining maturities.  These financial instruments utilize Level 2 inputs.
	Mortgage Loans Payable: The fair value of mortgage loans payable is based on the present value of the cash flows at current market interest rates through maturity.  The Company has concluded the fair value of these financial instruments are Level 2, as the majority of the inputs used to value these instruments fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	Bonds Payable: The fair value of bonds payable is based on quoted prices in markets that are not active due to the unique characteristics of these financial instruments; as such, the Company has concluded the inputs used to measure fair value fall within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.
	The table below contains the estimated fair value and related carrying amounts for the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated		Carrying
		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value		Amount
	Assets:
	Loans receivable	$	47,092	$	55,047	$	47,092	$	54,260
	Liabilities:
	Unsecured notes	$	824,588	$	798,347	$	802,943	$	798,305
	Mortgage loans	1,115,715		1,110,540		1,182,501		1,184,550
	Bonds payable	45,051		39,785		45,176		39,785

Commitments_and_Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies
	Commitments
	Construction Contracts: As of March 31, 2015, the Company estimates additional costs to complete seven wholly-owned development projects currently under construction to be approximately $192.3 million. The Company expects to fund this amount through a combination of cash flows generated from operations, proceeds from potential property dispositions, draws under the Company's unsecured revolving credit facility, possible issuance of securities under the Company's ATM Equity Program and potential debt or equity offerings under the Company's automatic shelf registration statement.
	Development-related Guarantees: For certain of its third-party development projects, the Company commonly provides alternate housing and project cost guarantees, subject to force majeure.  These guarantees are typically limited, on an aggregate basis, to the amount of the projects’ related development fees or a contractually agreed-upon maximum exposure amount.  Alternate housing guarantees typically expire five days after construction is complete and generally require the Company to provide substitute living quarters and transportation for students to and from the university if the project is not complete by an agreed-upon completion date.  Under project cost guarantees, the Company is responsible for the construction cost of a project in excess of an approved budget.   The budget consists primarily of costs included in the general contractors’ guaranteed maximum price contract (“GMP”).  In most cases, the GMP obligates the general contractor, subject to force majeure and approved change orders, to provide completion date guarantees and to cover cost overruns and liquidated damages.  In addition, the GMP is typically secured with payment and performance bonds.  Project cost guarantees expire upon completion of certain developer obligations, which are normally satisfied within one year after completion of the project. The Company’s estimated maximum exposure amount under the above guarantees is approximately $2.7 million as of March 31, 2015.
	In the normal course of business, the Company enters into various development-related purchase commitments with parties that provide development-related goods and services.  In the event that the Company was to terminate development services prior to the completion of projects under construction, the Company could potentially be committed to satisfy outstanding purchase orders with such parties.  At March 31, 2015, management did not anticipate any material deviations from schedule or budget related to third-party development projects currently in progress.
	In August 2013, the Company entered into an agreement to convey fee interest in a parcel of land, on which one of our student housing properties resides (University Crossings), to Drexel University (the “University”). Concurrent with the land conveyance, the Company as lessee entered into a ground lease agreement with the University as lessor for an initial term of 40 years, with three 10-year extensions, at the Company’s option. As part of the ground lease agreement, the Company committed to spend a minimum of $22.3 million in renovation and capital improvement costs over a five year period to improve the unit finishes, expand and improve amenity space and upgrade the exterior facade and other systems. As of March 31, 2015, the Company has spent approximately $14.4 million in renovations and capital improvements and anticipates spending an additional $21.5 million in 2015. In addition, the Company also agreed to convey the building and improvements to the University at an undetermined date in the future and to pay real estate transfer taxes not to exceed $2.4 million. The Company paid approximately $0.6 million in real estate transfer taxes upon the conveyance of land to the University leaving approximately $1.8 million to be paid by the Company upon the transfer of the building and improvements to the University.
	In addition, in connection with certain property acquisitions, the Company has assumed the obligation to fund future infrastructure improvements located near the acquired properties.  Because the ultimate cost of such obligations was not determinable as of the property acquisition date, it is likely that such payments made by the Company will be expensed at such time the local municipalities decide to move forward with the projects.  As of March 31, 2015, the timing and amount of such obligations was not determinable and, as such, the Company has not accrued any liabilities associated with such payments.
	Contingencies
	Litigation:  The Company is subject to various claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings, as well as other matters that have not been fully resolved and that have arisen in the ordinary course of business.  While it is not possible to ascertain the ultimate outcome of such matters, management believes that the aggregate amount of such liabilities, if any, in excess of amounts provided or covered by insurance, will not have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position or results of operations of the Company.  However, the outcome of claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings brought against the Company is subject to significant uncertainty.  Therefore, although management considers the likelihood of such an outcome to be remote, the ultimate results of these matters cannot be predicted with certainty.
	Letters of Intent:  In the ordinary course of the Company’s business, the Company enters into letters of intent indicating a willingness to negotiate for acquisitions, dispositions or joint ventures.  Such letters of intent are non-binding, and neither party to the letter of intent is obligated to pursue negotiations unless and until a definitive contract is entered into by the parties.  Even if definitive contracts are entered into, the letters of intent relating to the acquisition and disposition of real property and resulting contracts generally contemplate that such contracts will provide the acquirer with time to evaluate the property and conduct due diligence, during which periods the acquirer will have the ability to terminate the contracts without penalty or forfeiture of any deposit or earnest money.  There can be no assurance that definitive contracts will be entered into with respect to any matter covered by letters of intent or that the Company will consummate any transaction contemplated by any definitive contract.  Furthermore, due diligence periods for real property are frequently extended as needed.  Once the due diligence period expires, the Company is then at risk under a real property acquisition contract, but only to the extent of any earnest money deposits associated with the contract.
	Environmental Matters:  The Company is not aware of any environmental liability with respect to the properties that would have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, assets or results of operations. However, there can be no assurance that such a material environmental liability does not exist. The existence of any such material environmental liability could have an adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations and cash flows.

Segments

Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	Segments
	The Company defines business segments by their distinct customer base and service provided.  The Company has identified four reportable segments: Wholly-Owned Properties, On-Campus Participating Properties, Development Services, and Property Management Services.  Management evaluates each segment’s performance based on operating income before depreciation, amortization, minority interests and allocation of corporate overhead.  Intercompany fees are reflected at the contractually stipulated amounts.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Wholly-Owned Properties
	Rental revenues and other income	$	180,728		$	172,823
	Interest income	271			272
	Total revenues from external customers	180,999			173,095
	Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, ground/facility leases and allocation of corporate overhead	(79,054		)	(76,380		)
	Ground/facility leases	(1,223		)	(936		)
	Interest expense	(8,738		)	(11,392		)
	Operating income before depreciation, amortization, and allocation of corporate overhead	$	91,984		$	84,387
	Depreciation and amortization	$	48,309		$	46,509
	Capital expenditures	$	68,467		$	68,805
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	5,599,146		$	5,417,680
	On-Campus Participating Properties
	Rental revenues and other income	$	9,200		$	8,188
	Interest income	—			3
	Total revenues from external customers	9,200			8,191
	Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, ground/facility leases and allocation of corporate overhead	(2,427		)	(2,297		)
	Ground/facility leases	(875		)	(627		)
	Interest expense	(1,478		)	(1,149		)
	Operating income before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	4,420		$	4,118
	Depreciation and amortization	$	1,716		$	1,212
	Capital expenditures	$	781		$	12,292
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	112,221		$	101,238
	Development Services
	Development and construction management fees	$	564		$	187
	Operating expenses	(3,107		)	(2,843		)
	Operating loss before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	(2,543	)	$	(2,656	)
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	1,581		$	2,459
	Property Management Services
	Property management fees from external customers	$	2,001		$	1,985
	Intersegment revenues	5,868			5,687
	Total revenues	7,869			7,672
	Operating expenses	(2,828		)	(3,096		)
	Operating income before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	5,041		$	4,576
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	6,871		$	7,353
	Reconciliations
	Total segment revenues and other income	$	198,632		$	189,145
	Unallocated interest income earned on investments and corporate cash	841			756
	Elimination of intersegment revenues	(5,868		)	(5,687		)
	Total consolidated revenues, including interest income	$	193,605		$	184,214
	Segment operating income before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	98,902		$	90,425
	Depreciation and amortization	(52,030		)	(49,674		)
	Net unallocated expenses relating to corporate interest and overhead	(18,951		)	(14,314		)
	Gain from disposition of real estate	44,252			—
	Loss from early extinguishment of debt	(595		)	—
	Income tax provision	(311		)	(290		)
	Income from continuing operations	$	71,267		$	26,147
	Total segment assets	$	5,719,819		$	5,528,730
	Unallocated corporate assets	99,746			91,985
	Total assets at March 31,	$	5,819,565		$	5,620,715

Subsequent_Events

Subsequent Events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent Events	Subsequent Events
	Distributions:  On May 6, 2015, the Company declared a first quarter 2015 distribution per share of $0.40 which will be paid on May 29, 2015 to all common stockholders of record as of May 18, 2015.  At the same time, the Operating Partnership will pay an equivalent amount per unit to holders of Common Units, as well as the quarterly cumulative preferential distribution to holders of Series A Preferred Units (see Note 10).

Summary_of_Significant_Account1

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of Presentation	Basis of Presentation
	The accompanying consolidated financial statements, presented in U.S. dollars, are prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”). GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosure of contingent assets and liabilities as of the date of the financial statements, and revenue and expenses during the reporting periods. Our actual results could differ from those estimates and assumptions. All material intercompany transactions among consolidated entities have been eliminated. All dollar amounts in the tables herein, except share, per share, unit and per unit amounts, are stated in thousands unless otherwise indicated. Certain prior period amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current period presentation.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements	Recent Accounting Pronouncements
	In April 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-03 ("ASU 2015-03"), "Simplifying the Presentation of Debt Issuance Costs." ASU 2015-03 requires all costs incurred to issue debt be presented in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the carrying value of the debt rather than being recorded as a deferred charge and presented as an asset. ASU 2015-03 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted, and retrospective application required. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-03 as of January 1, 2016 and does not expect it to have a material impact on its consolidated financial statements.
	In February 2015, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2015-02 ("ASU 2015-02"), "Amendments to the Consolidation Analysis.” ASU 2015-02 changes the analysis a reporting entity must perform to determine whether it should consolidate certain types of legal entities. ASU 2015-02 modifies whether limited partnerships and similar entities are variable interest entities ("VIEs") or voting interest entities and eliminates the presumption a general partner should consolidate a limited partnership. ASU 2015-02 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2015, with early adoption permitted.  The Company plans to adopt ASU 2015-02 as of January 1, 2016 and is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
	In May 2014, the FASB issued Accounting Standards Update 2014-09 (“ASU 2014-09”), "Revenue From Contracts With Customers". ASU 2014-09 provides a single comprehensive revenue recognition model for contracts with customers (excluding certain contracts, such as lease contracts) to improve comparability within industries. ASU 2014-09 requires an entity to recognize revenue to reflect the transfer of goods or services to customers at an amount the entity expects to be paid in exchange for those goods and services and provide enhanced disclosures, all to provide more comprehensive guidance for transactions such as service revenue and contract modifications. ASU 2014-09 is effective for interim and annual periods beginning after December 15, 2016 and may be applied using either a full retrospective or modified approach upon adoption. The Company plans to adopt ASU 2014-09 as of January 1, 2017 and is currently evaluating the potential impact of the new standard on its consolidated financial statements.
Interim Financial Statements	Interim Financial Statements
	The accompanying interim financial statements are unaudited, but have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and in conjunction with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission.  Accordingly, they do not include all disclosures required by GAAP for complete financial statements.  In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting solely of normal recurring matters) necessary for a fair presentation of the financial statements of the Company for these interim periods have been included.  Because of the seasonal nature of the Company’s operations, the results of operations and cash flows for any interim period are not necessarily indicative of results for other interim periods or for the full year.  These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the financial statements and the notes thereto included in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2014.
Use of Estimates	Use of Estimates
	The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting period.  Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Investments in Real Estate	Investments in Real Estate
	Investments in real estate are recorded at historical cost.  Major improvements that extend the life of an asset are capitalized and depreciated over the remaining useful life of the asset.  The cost of ordinary repairs and maintenance are charged to expense when incurred.  Depreciation and amortization are recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Buildings and improvements		7-40 years
	Leasehold interest - on-campus		25-34 years (shorter of useful life or respective lease term)
	participating properties
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		3-7 years
	Project costs directly associated with the development and construction of an owned real estate project, which include interest, property taxes, and amortization of deferred finance costs, are capitalized as construction in progress.  Upon completion of the project, costs are transferred into the applicable asset category and depreciation commences.  Interest totaling approximately $2.5 million and $2.2 million was capitalized during the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.
	Management assesses whether there has been an impairment in the value of the Company’s investments in real estate whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable.  Impairment is recognized when estimated expected future undiscounted cash flows are less than the carrying value of the property, or when it is probable that a property will be sold prior to the end of its estimated useful life, at which time an impairment charge is recognized for any excess of the carrying value of the property over the expected net proceeds from the disposal.  The estimation of expected future net cash flows is inherently uncertain and relies on assumptions regarding current and future economics and market conditions.  If such conditions change, then an adjustment to the carrying value of the Company’s long-lived assets could occur in the future period in which the conditions change.  To the extent that a property is impaired, the excess of the carrying amount of the property over its estimated fair value is charged to earnings. The Company believes that there were no impairments of the carrying values of its investments in real estate as of March 31, 2015.
	The Company allocates the purchase price of acquired properties to net tangible and identified intangible assets based on relative fair values.  Fair value estimates are based on information obtained from a number of sources, including independent appraisals that may be obtained in connection with the acquisition or financing of the respective property, our own analysis of recently acquired and existing comparable properties in our portfolio, and other market data.  Information obtained about each property as a result of due diligence, marketing and leasing activities is also considered.  The value allocated to land is generally based on the actual purchase price adjusted to fair value (as necessary) if acquired separately, or market research/comparables if acquired as part of an existing operating property.  The value allocated to building is based on the fair value determined on an “as-if vacant” basis, which is estimated using an income, or discounted cash flow, approach that relies upon internally determined assumptions that we believe are consistent with current market conditions for similar properties. The value allocated to furniture, fixtures, and equipment is based on an estimate of the fair value of the appliances and fixtures inside the units. We have determined these estimates to have been primarily based upon unobservable inputs and therefore are considered to be Level 3 inputs within the fair value hierarchy.
	We record the acquisition of undeveloped land parcels that do not meet the accounting criteria to be accounted for as business combinations at the purchase price paid and capitalize the associated acquisition costs.
Long-Lived Assets-Held for Sale	Long-Lived Assets–Held for Sale
	Long-lived assets to be disposed of are classified as held for sale in the period in which all of the following criteria are met:
	a.	Management, having the authority to approve the action, commits to a plan to sell the asset.
	b.	The asset is available for immediate sale in its present condition subject only to terms that are usual and customary for sales of such assets.
	c.	An active program to locate a buyer and other actions required to complete the plan to sell the asset have been initiated.
	d.	The sale of the asset is probable, and transfer of the asset is expected to qualify for recognition as a completed sale, within one year.
	e.	The asset is being actively marketed for sale at a price that is reasonable in relation to its current fair value.
	f.	Actions required to complete the plan indicate that it is unlikely that significant changes to the plan will be made or that the plan will be withdrawn.
	Concurrent with this classification, the asset is recorded at the lower of cost or fair value less estimated selling costs, and depreciation ceases.
Discontinued Operations	Discontinued Operations
	A discontinued operation represents (i) a component of an entity or group of components that has been disposed of or is classified as held for sale in a single transaction and represents a strategic shift that has or will have a major effect on an entity's operations and financial results, or (ii) an acquired business that is classified as held for sale on the date of acquisition. A strategic shift could include a disposal of (i) a separate major line of business, (ii) a separate major geographic area of operations, (iii) a major equity method investment, or (iv) other major parts of an entity. The Company classifies disposals of real estate that do not meet the definition of a discontinued operation within income from continuing operations in the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Loans Receivable	Loans Receivable
	Loans held for investment are intended to be held to maturity and, accordingly, are carried at cost, net of unamortized loan purchase discounts, and net of an allowance for loan losses when such loan is deemed to be impaired.  Loan purchase discounts are amortized over the term of the loan.  The Company considers a loan impaired when, based upon current information and events, it is probable that it will be unable to collect all amounts due for both principal and interest according to the contractual terms of the loan agreement.  Management’s estimate of the collectability of principal and interest payments under the company’s loans receivable from CaPFA Capital Corp. 2000F (“CaPFA”), which mature in December 2040 and carry a balance of approximately $55.0 million as of March 31, 2015, are highly dependent on the future operating performance of the properties securing the loans.  As future economic conditions and/or market conditions at the properties change, management will continue to evaluate the collectability of such amounts. The Company believes there were no impairments of the carrying value of its loans receivable as of March 31, 2015. Loans receivable are included in other assets on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.
Intangible Assets	Intangible Assets
	A portion of the purchase price of acquired properties is allocated to the value of in-place leases for both student and commercial tenants, which is based on the difference between (i) the property valued with existing in-place leases adjusted to market rental rates and (ii) the property valued “as-if” vacant.  As lease terms for student leases are typically one year or less, rates on in-place leases generally approximate market rental rates.  Factors considered in the valuation of in-place leases include an estimate of the carrying costs during the expected lease-up period considering current market conditions, nature of the tenancy, and costs to execute similar leases.  Carrying costs include estimates of lost rentals at market rates during the expected lease-up period, as well as marketing and other operating expenses.  The value of in-place leases is amortized over the remaining initial term of the respective leases.  The purchase price of property acquisitions is not expected to be allocated to student tenant relationships, considering the terms of the leases and the expected levels of renewals.
Mortgage Debt - Premiums and Discounts	Mortgage Debt - Premiums and Discounts
	Mortgage debt premiums and discounts represent fair value adjustments to account for the difference between the stated rates and market rates of mortgage debt assumed in connection with the Company’s property acquisitions.  The mortgage debt premiums and discounts are amortized to interest expense over the term of the related mortgage loans using the effective-interest method.  The amortization of mortgage debt premiums and discounts resulted in a net decrease to interest expense of approximately $3.0 million and $3.2 million for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, respectively.  As of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, net unamortized mortgage debt premiums were approximately $58.6 million and $60.6 million, respectively, and net unamortized mortgage debt discounts were approximately $0.7 million and $0.9 million, respectively.  Mortgage debt premiums and discounts are included in secured mortgage, construction and bond debt on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets and amortization of mortgage debt premiums and discounts is included in interest expense on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Pre-development Expenditures	Pre-development Expenditures
	Pre-development expenditures such as architectural fees, permits and deposits associated with the pursuit of third-party and owned development projects are expensed as incurred, until such time that management believes it is probable that the contract will be executed and/or construction will commence.  Because the Company frequently incurs these pre-development expenditures before a financing commitment and/or required permits and authorizations have been obtained, the Company bears the risk of loss of these pre-development expenditures if financing cannot ultimately be arranged on acceptable terms or the Company is unable to successfully obtain the required permits and authorizations.  As such, management evaluates the status of third-party and owned projects that have not yet commenced construction on a periodic basis and expenses any deferred costs related to projects whose current status indicates the commencement of construction is unlikely and/or the costs may not provide future value to the Company in the form of revenues.  Such write-offs are included in third-party development and management services expenses (in the case of third-party development projects) or general and administrative expenses (in the case of owned development projects) on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income.
Earnings per Share - Company	Earnings per Share – Company
	Basic earnings per share is computed using net income attributable to common shareholders and the weighted average number of shares of the Company’s common stock outstanding during the period.  Diluted earnings per share reflect common shares issuable from the assumed conversion of Operating Partnership units ("OP Units") and common share awards granted.  Only those items having a dilutive impact on basic earnings per share are included in diluted earnings per share.

Summary_of_Significant_Account2

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Schedule of estimated useful lives of assets	Depreciation and amortization are recorded on a straight-line basis over the estimated useful lives of the assets as follows:
	Buildings and improvements	7-40 years
	Leasehold interest - on-campus	25-34 years (shorter of useful life or respective lease term)
	participating properties
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment	3-7 years
Schedule of potentially dilutive securities not included in calculating diluted earnings per share	The following potentially dilutive securities were outstanding for the three months ended March 31, 2015 and 2014, but were not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share because the effects of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Common OP Units (Note 10)	—			1,230,219
	Preferred OP Units (Note 10)	—			112,628
	Total potentially dilutive securities	—			1,342,847
Schedule of summary of elements used in calculating basic earnings per share/unit	The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per share:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per share:
	Income from continuing operations	$	71,267			$	26,147
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	(1,070		)		(435		)
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	70,197				25,712
	Amount allocated to participating securities	(334		)		(321		)
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	69,863				25,391
	Income from discontinued operations	—				2,720
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	—				(34		)
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	—				2,686
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	69,863			$	28,077
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average common shares outstanding	110,955,099				104,821,669
	Unvested Restricted Stock Awards (Note 11)	735,831				735,164
	Common OP units (Note 10)	1,173,216				—
	Preferred OP units (Note 10)	110,359				—
	Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding	112,974,505				105,556,833
	Earnings per share – basic:
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	$	0.63			$	0.24
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$	—			$	0.03
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	0.63			$	0.27
	Earnings per share – diluted:
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	$	0.62			$	0.24
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	$	—			$	0.03
	Net income attributable to common shareholders	$	0.62			$	0.27
	Distributions declared per common share	$	0.38			$	0.36
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Schedule of summary of elements used in calculating basic earnings per share/unit	The following is a summary of the elements used in calculating basic and diluted earnings per unit:
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015				2014
	Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per unit:
	Income from continuing operations	$	71,267			$	26,147
	Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests – partially owned properties	(323		)		(88		)
	Income from continuing operations attributable to Series A preferred units	(44		)		(42		)
	Amount allocated to participating securities	(334		)		(321		)
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	70,566				25,696
	Income from discontinued operations	—				2,720
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to Series A preferred units	—				(3		)
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to common unitholders	—				2,717
	Net income attributable to common unitholders	$	70,566			$	28,413
	Denominator:
	Basic weighted average common units outstanding	112,128,315				106,051,888
	Unvested Restricted Stock Awards (Note 11)	735,831				735,164
	Diluted weighted average common units outstanding	112,864,146				106,787,052
	Earnings per unit - basic and diluted:
	Income from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	$	0.63			$	0.24
	Income from discontinued operations attributable to common unitholders	$	—			$	0.03
	Net income attributable to common unitholders	$	0.63			$	0.27
	Distributions declared per common unit	$	0.38			$	0.36

Property_Acquisitions_Tables

Property Acquisitions (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of business acquisitions	During the first quarter of 2015, the Company acquired the following wholly-owned properties containing 2,298 beds for approximately $195.3 million:
	Property		Location		Primary University Served	Units		Beds
	Park Point (1)		Syracuse, NY		Syracuse University	66		226
	University Walk (2)		Knoxville, TN		University of Tennessee	177		526
	1200 West Marshall		Richmond, VA		Virginia Commonwealth University	136		406
	8 1/2 Canal Street (3)		Richmond, VA		Virginia Commonwealth University	160		540
	Vistas San Marcos		San Marcos, TX		Texas State University	255		600
	(1)	As part of this transaction, the Company assumed approximately $11.6 million of fixed rate mortgage debt.
	(2)	University Walk opened for operations in August 2014 and was purchased by the Company in February 2015. This property was consolidated for financial reporting purposes prior to the acquisition date because the entity that owned this property was deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
	(3)	As part of this transaction, the Company issued 343,895 common OP Units to the seller, valued at $41.24 per unit.
Summary of pro forma information	The pro forma information is provided for informational purposes only and is not indicative of results that would have occurred or which may occur in the future:
			Three Months Ended March 31,
			2015			2014
	Total revenues		$	195,732		$	186,921
	Net income attributable to common shareholders		$	73,076		$	26,595
	Net income per share attributable to common shareholders, as adjusted - basic		$	0.66		$	0.25
	Net income per share attributable to common shareholders, as adjusted - diluted		$	0.64		$	0.25

Property_Dispositions_and_Disc1

Property Dispositions and Discontinued Operations (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Schedule of properties sold during period	The combined net gain on these dispositions of approximately $44.3 million is included in income from continuing operations on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2015.
	Property	Location		Primary University Served	Units	Beds
	The Highlands	Reno, NV		University of Nevada at Reno	216	732
	The View	Lincoln, NE		University of Nebraska	157	590
	Chapel Ridge	Chapel Hill, NC		University of North Carolina	180	544
	Chapel View	Chapel Hill, NC		University of North Carolina	224	358
	The Village at Alafaya Club	Orlando, FL		University of Central Florida	228	839
	University Place	Charlottesville, VA		University of Virginia	144	528
	University Greens	Norman, OK		University of Oklahoma	156	516
	University Meadows	Mt. Pleasant, MI		Central Michigan University	184	616
	The Outpost San Marcos	San Marcos, TX		Texas State University	162	486
	Eagles Trail	Hattiesburg, MS		University of Southern Mississippi	216	792
Schedule of summary of results of disposition and discontinued operations	Because Hawks Landing was classified as held for sale as of December 31, 2013, the resulting gain on disposition of approximately $2.8 million is included in discontinued operations on the accompanying consolidated statements of comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2014. Below is a summary of the results of operations for Hawks Landing:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2014
	Total revenues	$	279
	Total operating expenses	(239		)
	Depreciation and amortization	—
	Operating income	40
	Total nonoperating expenses	(163		)
	Net loss	$	(123	)

Investments_in_WhollyOwned_Pro1

Investments in Wholly-Owned Properties (Tables) (Wholly-owned properties)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Wholly-owned properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Schedule of Real Estate Properties	Wholly-owned properties consisted of the following:
			March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Land (1)		$	575,879		$	571,242
	Buildings and improvements		5,033,845			4,937,345
	Furniture, fixtures and equipment		290,592			289,168
	Construction in progress		237,877			185,414
			6,138,193			5,983,169
	Less accumulated depreciation		(708,474		)	(674,462		)
	Wholly-owned properties, net		$	5,429,719		$	5,308,707		(2)
	(1)	The land balance above includes undeveloped land parcels with book values of approximately $40.6 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.  Also includes land totaling approximately $30.6 million and $30.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, related to properties under development.
	(2)	The balance above excludes the net book value of seven wholly-owned properties classified as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (see Note 4). These properties were sold in January 2015.

OnCampus_Participating_Propert1

On-Campus Participating Properties (Tables) (On-campus participating properties)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
On-campus participating properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Schedule of Real Estate Properties	On-campus participating properties are as follows:
					Historical Cost
	Lessor/University		Lease	Required Debt	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
			Commencement	Repayment
	Texas A&M University System / Prairie View A&M University (1)		2/1/96	9/1/23	$	43,115		$	43,036
	Texas A&M University System / Texas A&M International		2/1/96	9/1/23	27,008			6,937
	Texas A&M University System / Prairie View A&M University (2)		10/1/99	8/31/25	6,975			26,828
				8/31/28
	University of Houston System / University of Houston (3)		9/27/00	8/31/35	36,635			36,606
	West Virginia University Project / West Virginia University		7/16/13	7/16/45	43,643			43,636
					157,376			157,043
	Less accumulated amortization				(64,617		)	(62,915		)
	On-campus participating properties, net				$	92,759		$	94,128
	(1)	Consists of three phases placed in service between 1996 and 1998.
	(2)	Consists of two phases placed in service in 2000 and 2003.
	(3)	Consists of two phases placed in service in 2001 and 2005.

Debt_Tables

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of summary of outstanding consolidated indebtedness, including unamortized debt premiums and discounts	A summary of the Company’s outstanding consolidated indebtedness, including unamortized debt premiums and discounts, is as follows:
		March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
	Debt secured by wholly-owned properties:
	Mortgage loans payable:
	Unpaid principal balance	$	1,022,304		$	1,094,306
	Unamortized debt premiums	58,582			60,586
	Unamortized debt discounts	(662		)	(895		)
		1,080,224			1,153,997
	Construction loans payable	—			63,637
		1,080,224			1,217,634
	Debt secured by on-campus participating properties:
	Mortgage loan payable	30,315			30,553
	Bonds payable	39,785			39,785
	Construction loan payable	44,200			43,942
		114,300			114,280
	Total secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	1,194,524			1,331,914
	Unsecured notes, net of unamortized original issue discount	798,347			798,305
	Unsecured revolving credit facility	131,900			242,500
	Unsecured term loans	600,000			600,000
	Total debt	$	2,724,771		$	2,972,719

Stockholders_Equity_Partners_C1

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Stockholders' Equity Note [Abstract]
Summary of Equity Program activity	The following table presents activity under the Company’s ATM Equity Program during the three months ended March 31, 2015:
		Three Months Ended March 31, 2015
	Total net proceeds	$	213,416
	Commissions paid to sales agents	$	3,250
	Weighted average price per share	$	43.92
	Shares of common stock sold	4,933,665

Noncontrolling_Interests_Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Schedule of summarized activity of redeemable limited partners	Below is a table summarizing the activity of redeemable limited partners for the three months ended March 31, 2015:
	31-Dec-14	$	54,472
	Net income	747
	Distributions	(464		)
	Redeemable limited partner units issued as consideration (see Note 3)	14,182
	Conversion of redeemable limited partner units into shares of ACC common stock	(2,577		)
	Adjustments to reflect redeemable limited partner units at fair value	1,072
	31-Mar-15	$	67,432

Incentive_Award_Plan_Tables

Incentive Award Plan (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Summary of restricted stock awards	A summary of ACC’s RSAs under the American Campus Communities, Inc. 2010 Incentive Award Plan (the "Plan") as of March 31, 2015 and activity during the three months then ended, is presented below:
		Number of RSAs
	Nonvested balance at December 31, 2014	609,514
	Granted	271,265
	Vested	(116,166	)
	Forfeited (1)	(78,215	)
	Nonvested balance at March 31, 2015	686,398
	(1) Includes shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations upon vesting.

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed1

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of summary of outstanding interest rate swap contracts	The following table summarizes the Company’s outstanding interest rate swap contracts as of March 31, 2015:
	Hedged Debt Instrument	Effective Date	Maturity Date		Pay Fixed Rate	Receive Floating		Current Notional		Fair Value
						Rate Index		Amount
	Cullen Oaks mortgage loan	Feb 18, 2014	Feb 15, 2021		2.28%	LIBOR - 1 month		$	15,080	$	(640	)
	Cullen Oaks mortgage loan	Feb 18, 2014	Feb 15, 2021		2.28%	LIBOR - 1 month		15,235		(646		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.87%	LIBOR – 1 month		125,000		(608		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.88%	LIBOR – 1 month		100,000		(505		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.89%	LIBOR – 1 month		62,500		(325		)
	Term Loan I Facility	Feb 2, 2012	Jan 2, 2017		0.89%	LIBOR – 1 month		62,500		(326		)
	Park Point mortgage loan	Nov 1, 2013	Oct 5, 2018		1.55%	LIBOR - 1 month		70,000		(1,120		)
						Total		$	450,315	$	(4,170	)
Schedule of fair value of derivative financial instruments and classification on consolidated balance sheet	The table below presents the fair value of the Company’s derivative financial instruments as well as their classification on the consolidated balance sheets as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		Liability Derivatives
			Fair Value as of
	Description	Balance Sheet	March 31, 2015			December 31, 2014
		Location
	Interest rate swaps contracts	Other liabilities	$	4,170		$	2,306
	Total derivatives designated		$	4,170		$	2,306
	as hedging instruments

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Tables

Fair Value Disclosures (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of financial instruments measured at fair value	Disclosures concerning financial instruments measured at fair value are as follows:
		Fair Value Measurements as of
		March 31, 2015								December 31, 2014
		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant		Total		Quoted Prices in		Significant		Significant
		Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable				Active Markets for		Other		Unobservable
		Identical Assets and		Observable		Inputs				Identical Assets and		Observable		Inputs		Total
		Liabilities (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		(Level 3)				Liabilities (Level 1)		Inputs (Level 2)		(Level 3)
	Liabilities:
	Derivative financial instruments	$	—	$	4,170	$	—	$	4,170	$	—	$	2,306	$	—	$	2,306
	Mezzanine:
	Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Company)/Redeemable limited partners (Operating Partnership)	$	—	$	67,432	$	—	$	67,432	$	—	$	54,472	$	—	$	54,472
Schedule of estimated fair value and related carrying amounts of mortgage loans and bonds payable	The table below contains the estimated fair value and related carrying amounts for the Company’s financial instruments as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014:
		March 31, 2015				December 31, 2014
		Estimated		Carrying		Estimated		Carrying
		Fair Value		Amount		Fair Value		Amount
	Assets:
	Loans receivable	$	47,092	$	55,047	$	47,092	$	54,260
	Liabilities:
	Unsecured notes	$	824,588	$	798,347	$	802,943	$	798,305
	Mortgage loans	1,115,715		1,110,540		1,182,501		1,184,550
	Bonds payable	45,051		39,785		45,176		39,785

Segments_Tables

Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of segment information
		Three Months Ended March 31,
		2015			2014
	Wholly-Owned Properties
	Rental revenues and other income	$	180,728		$	172,823
	Interest income	271			272
	Total revenues from external customers	180,999			173,095
	Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, ground/facility leases and allocation of corporate overhead	(79,054		)	(76,380		)
	Ground/facility leases	(1,223		)	(936		)
	Interest expense	(8,738		)	(11,392		)
	Operating income before depreciation, amortization, and allocation of corporate overhead	$	91,984		$	84,387
	Depreciation and amortization	$	48,309		$	46,509
	Capital expenditures	$	68,467		$	68,805
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	5,599,146		$	5,417,680
	On-Campus Participating Properties
	Rental revenues and other income	$	9,200		$	8,188
	Interest income	—			3
	Total revenues from external customers	9,200			8,191
	Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, ground/facility leases and allocation of corporate overhead	(2,427		)	(2,297		)
	Ground/facility leases	(875		)	(627		)
	Interest expense	(1,478		)	(1,149		)
	Operating income before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	4,420		$	4,118
	Depreciation and amortization	$	1,716		$	1,212
	Capital expenditures	$	781		$	12,292
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	112,221		$	101,238
	Development Services
	Development and construction management fees	$	564		$	187
	Operating expenses	(3,107		)	(2,843		)
	Operating loss before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	(2,543	)	$	(2,656	)
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	1,581		$	2,459
	Property Management Services
	Property management fees from external customers	$	2,001		$	1,985
	Intersegment revenues	5,868			5,687
	Total revenues	7,869			7,672
	Operating expenses	(2,828		)	(3,096		)
	Operating income before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	5,041		$	4,576
	Total segment assets at March 31,	$	6,871		$	7,353
	Reconciliations
	Total segment revenues and other income	$	198,632		$	189,145
	Unallocated interest income earned on investments and corporate cash	841			756
	Elimination of intersegment revenues	(5,868		)	(5,687		)
	Total consolidated revenues, including interest income	$	193,605		$	184,214
	Segment operating income before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead	$	98,902		$	90,425
	Depreciation and amortization	(52,030		)	(49,674		)
	Net unallocated expenses relating to corporate interest and overhead	(18,951		)	(14,314		)
	Gain from disposition of real estate	44,252			—
	Loss from early extinguishment of debt	(595		)	—
	Income tax provision	(311		)	(290		)
	Income from continuing operations	$	71,267		$	26,147
	Total segment assets	$	5,719,819		$	5,528,730
	Unallocated corporate assets	99,746			91,985
	Total assets at March 31,	$	5,819,565		$	5,620,715

Organization_and_Description_o1

Organization and Description of Business - (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of properties	164
Number of beds	100,000
Number of units	32,500
Wholly-owned properties | Off Campus Properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of properties	139
Wholly-owned properties | American Campus Equity
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of properties	20
Number of university systems	10
Wholly-owned properties | On-campus participating properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of properties	5
Wholly-owned properties | Under Development
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of properties	7
Number of beds	4,700
Number of units	1,200
Management And Leasing Services
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of properties	39
Number of beds	30,100
Number of units	11,700
Real Estate Investment
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of properties	203
Number of beds	130,100
Number of units	44,200
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Limited Partner ownership interest (percent)	98.60%
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Maximum
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
General Partner ownership interest (percent) (less than)	1.00%

Summary_of_Significant_Account3

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Estimated Useful Lives of Assets (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Minimum | Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	7 years
Minimum | Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
Maximum | Buildings and improvements
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	40 years
Maximum | Furniture, fixtures and equipment
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	7 years
On-campus participating properties | Minimum | Leasehold interest
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	25 years
On-campus participating properties | Maximum | Leasehold interest
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	34 years

Summary_of_Significant_Account4

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Potentially Dilutive Securities Not Included in Calculating Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potential dilutive securities (shares)	0	1,342,847
Common OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potential dilutive securities (shares)	0	1,230,219
Preferred OP Units
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Potential dilutive securities (shares)	0	112,628

Summary_of_Significant_Account5

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Elements Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted Earnings per Share (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator - basic and diluted earnings per share:
Income from continuing operations	$71,267	$26,147
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,070	-435
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders	70,197	25,712
Amount allocated to participating securities	-334	-321
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	69,863	25,391
Income from discontinued operations	0	2,720
Income from discontinued operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	0	-34
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	0	2,686
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$69,863	$28,077
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	110,955,099	104,821,669
Antidilutive securities (shares)	0	1,342,847
Diluted weighted average common shares outstanding (in shares)	112,974,505	105,556,833
Earnings per share – basic:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities (in dollars per share)	$0.63	$0.24
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.03
Net income attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$0.63	$0.27
Income per share attributable to common shareholders - diluted
Income from continuing operations attributable to common shareholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities (in dollars per share)	$0.62	$0.24
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$0	$0.03
Net income attributable to common shareholders (in dollars per share)	$0.62	$0.27
Distributions declared per common share (in dollars per share)		$0.36
Restricted Stock Awards
Denominator:
Antidilutive securities (shares)	735,831	735,164
Common OP Units
Denominator:
Antidilutive securities (shares)	1,173,216	0
Preferred OP Units
Denominator:
Antidilutive securities (shares)	110,359	0

Summary_of_Significant_Account6

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Summary of Elements Used in Calculating Basic and Diluted Earnings per Unit (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Numerator - basic and diluted earnings per unit:
Income from continuing operations	$71,267	$26,147
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	-1,070	-435
Amount allocated to participating securities	-334	-321
Income from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	69,863	25,391
Income from discontinued operations	0	2,720
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	0	2,686
Net income attributable to common shareholders	69,863	28,077
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Numerator - basic and diluted earnings per unit:
Income from continuing operations	71,267	26,147
Income from continuing operations attributable to Series A preferred units	-44	-42
Amount allocated to participating securities	-334	-321
Income from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities	70,566	25,696
Income from discontinued operations	0	2,720
Income from discontinued operations attributable to Series A preferred units	0	-3
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common shareholders	0	2,717
Net income attributable to common shareholders	70,566	28,413
Denominator:
Basic weighted average common units outstanding (in units)	112,128,315	106,051,888
Diluted weighted average common units outstanding (in units)	112,864,146	106,787,052
Earnings per unit - basic and diluted:
Income from continuing operations attributable to common unitholders, net of amount allocated to participating securities (in dollars per unit)	$0.63	$0.24
Income from discontinued operations attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per unit)	$0	$0.03
Net income attributable to common unitholders (in dollars per unit)	$0.63	$0.27
Distributions declared per common unit (in dollars per unit)	$0.38	$0.36
Partially owned properties | AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Numerator - basic and diluted earnings per unit:
Income from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests	($323)	($88)
Restricted Stock Awards | AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Denominator:
Unvested Restricted Stock Awards (in units)	735,831	735,164

Summary_of_Significant_Account7

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Apr. 30, 2013	Jun. 30, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Capitalized Interest	$2,500,000	$2,200,000
Loans receivable	55,000,000
Increase (decrease) to interest expense from amortization of debt premiums and discounts	-3,000,000	-3,200,000
Deferred pre-development costs	2,500,000
Mortgage debt
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Unamortized debt premiums	58,600,000				60,600,000
Unamortized debt discounts	700,000				900,000
Senior notes - April 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Increase (decrease) to interest expense from amortization of debt premiums and discounts	41,000	29,000
Unamortized debt discounts	1,700,000				1,700,000
Debt instrument proceeds as percentage of par value (percent)			99.66%
Original issue discount on senior unsecured notes			1,400,000
Senior notes - June 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Original issue discount on senior unsecured notes				600,000
In-place leases assumed
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Capitalized amount of acquired intangible assets	2,100,000	0
Amortization expense of acquired intangible assets	600,000	900,000
Accumulated amortization	28,500,000				27,900,000
Property tax arrangement
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Finite-lived intangible assets	42,100,000				36,700,000
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Senior notes - April 2013
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes issued			400,000,000
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Senior notes - June 2014
Significant Accounting Policies [Line Items]
Senior unsecured notes issued				$400,000,000
Debt instrument proceeds as percentage of par value (percent)				99.86%

Property_Acquisitions_Details

Property Acquisitions (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds	100,000
Number of units	32,500
Park Point
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds	226	[1]
Number of units	66	[1]
Debt assumed as part of business acquisition	$11.60
University Walk
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds	526	[2]
Number of units	177	[2]
1200 West Marshall
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds	406
Number of units	136
8 1/2 Canal
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds	540	[3]
Number of units	160	[3]
The Vistas
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds	600
Number of units	255
Common Operating Units | 8 1/2 Canal
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity issued as part of business acquisition	343,895
Equity issued as part of business acquisition (in dollars per unit)	41.24
Wholly-owned properties | 2015 acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of beds	2,298
Purchase price	$195.30
[1]	As part of this transaction, the Company assumed approximately $11.6 million of fixed rate mortgage debt.
[2]	University Walk opened for operations in August 2014 and was purchased by the Company in February 2015. This property was consolidated for financial reporting purposes prior to the acquisition date because the entity that owned this property was deemed to be a variable interest entity (“VIE”) and the Company was determined to be the primary beneficiary of the VIE.
[3]	As part of this transaction, the Company issued 343,895 common OP Units to the seller, valued at $41.24 per unit.

Property_Acquisitions_Pro_Form

Property Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Per Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information [Abstract]
Total revenues	$195,732	$186,921
Net income attributable to common shareholders	$73,076	$26,595
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders, as adjusted - basic (in dollars per share)	$0.66	$0.25
Net income per share attributable to common shareholders, as adjusted - diluted (in dollars per share)	$0.64	$0.25

Property_Dispositions_and_Disc2

Property Dispositions and Discontinued Operations - Summary of Properties Sold During Period (Details)	Mar. 31, 2015
	Bed
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number of beds	100,000
The Highlands | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	216
Number of beds	732
The View | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	157
Number of beds	590
Chapel Ridge | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	180
Number of beds	544
Chapel View | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	224
Number of beds	358
The Village at Alafaya Club | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	228
Number of beds	839
University Place | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	144
Number of beds	528
University Greens | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	156
Number of beds	516
University Meadows | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	184
Number of beds	616
The Outpost San Marcos | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	162
Number of beds	486
Eagles Trail | Wholly-owned properties held for sale
Schedule of Properties Sold During Period [Line Items]
Number Of Units	216
Number of beds	792

Property_Dispositions_and_Disc3

Property Dispositions and Discontinued Operations - Summary of Operations for Properties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Total revenues		$279
Total operating expenses		-239
Depreciation and amortization		0
Operating income		40
Total nonoperating expenses		-163
Net loss	$0	($123)

Property_Dispositions_and_Disc4

Property Dispositions and Discontinued Operations - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2014
	Unit		Unit
	Bed		Bed
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Proceeds from disposition of properties	$226,532,000	$1,327,000
Gain (Loss) on disposition of real estate	44,252,000	0
Number of units	32,500
Number of beds	100,000
Gain (loss) from disposition of property	0	2,843,000
Wholly-owned properties
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Number of beds in properties sold	6,001
Sale price of disposed property	231,000,000
Proceeds from disposition of properties	226,500,000
Off Campus Properties | Hawks Landing
Income Statement, Balance Sheet and Additional Disclosures by Disposal Groups, Including Discontinued Operations [Line Items]
Sale price of disposed property			17,300,000
Proceeds from disposition of properties			1,300,000
Number of units			122
Number of beds			484
Assumed mortgage loan			15,600,000
Gain (loss) from disposition of property		$2,800,000

Investments_in_WhollyOwned_Pro2

Investments in Wholly-Owned Properties - Summary (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Investment Property, Net	$5,522,478		$5,533,849
Wholly-owned properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Land	575,879	[1]	571,242	[1]
Buildings and improvements	5,033,845		4,937,345
Furniture, fixtures and equipment	290,592		289,168
Construction in progress	237,877		185,414
Real estate properties gross	6,138,193		5,983,169
Less accumulated depreciation	-708,474		-674,462
Investment Property, Net	$5,429,719		$5,308,707	[2]
[1]	The land balance above includes undeveloped land parcels with book values of approximately $40.6 million as of both March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Also includes land totaling approximately $30.6 million and $30.2 million as of March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, respectively, related to properties under development.
[2]	The balance above excludes the net book value of seven wholly-owned properties classified as held for sale in the accompanying consolidated balance sheet as of December 31, 2014 (see Note 4). These properties were sold in January 2015.

Investments_in_WhollyOwned_Pro3

Investments in Wholly-Owned Properties - Summary (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Millions, unless otherwise specified
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Undeveloped land parcels	$40.60	$40.60
Under Development
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Undeveloped land parcels	$30.60	$30.20
Wholly-owned properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of real estate properties, held for sale		7

OnCampus_Participating_Propert2

On-Campus Participating Properties (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015		Dec. 31, 2014
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Investment Property, Net	$5,522,478		$5,533,849
On-campus participating properties
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Real estate properties, gross	157,376		157,043
Less accumulated depreciation	-64,617		-62,915
Investment Property, Net	92,759		94,128
On-campus participating properties | Texas A and M International
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Lease commencement	1-Feb-96
Required debt repayment	1-Sep-23
Real estate properties, gross	27,008		6,937
Phases Placed In Service Between 1996 and 1998 | Prairie View A and M University
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Project Phases	3
Phases Placed In Service Between 1996 and 1998 | On-campus participating properties | Prairie View A and M University
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Lease commencement	1-Feb-96	[1]
Required debt repayment	1-Sep-23	[1]
Real estate properties, gross	43,115	[1]	43,036	[1]
Phases Placed In Service In 2000 and 2003 | Prairie View A and M University
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Project Phases	2
Phases Placed In Service In 2000 and 2003 | On-campus participating properties | Prairie View A and M University
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Lease commencement	1-Oct-99	[2]
Real estate properties, gross	6,975	[2]	26,828	[2]
Phases Placed In Service In 2001 and 2005 | University Of Houston
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number of Project Phases	2
Phases Placed In Service In 2001 and 2005 | On-campus participating properties | University Of Houston
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Lease commencement	27-Sep-00	[3]
Required debt repayment	31-Aug-35	[3]
Real estate properties, gross	36,635	[3]	36,606	[3]
Phases Placed in Service in 2013 | On-campus participating properties | West Virginia University
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Lease commencement	16-Jul-13
Required debt repayment	16-Jul-45
Real estate properties, gross	$43,643		$43,636
Minimum | Phases Placed In Service In 2000 and 2003 | On-campus participating properties | Prairie View A and M University
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Required debt repayment	31-Aug-25	[2]
Maximum | Phases Placed In Service In 2000 and 2003 | On-campus participating properties | Prairie View A and M University
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Required debt repayment	31-Aug-28	[2]
[1]	Consists of three phases placed in service between 1996 and 1998.
[2]	Consists of two phases placed in service in 2000 and 2003.
[3]	Consists of two phases placed in service in 2001 and 2005.

Investment_in_Unconsolidated_J

Investment in Unconsolidated Joint Ventures - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Management fee earned	$2,001	$1,985
Equity Method Investments
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Management fee earned	$300	$400

Debt_Summary_of_Outstanding_Co

Debt - Summary of Outstanding Consolidated Indebtedness, Including Unamortized Debt Premiums and Discounts (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	$1,194,524	$1,331,914
Unsecured notes, net of unamortized original issue discount	798,347	798,305
Unsecured revolving credit facility	131,900	242,500
Unsecured term loans	600,000	600,000
Total debt	2,724,771	2,972,719
Mortgage loans payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Unamortized debt premiums	58,600	60,600
Unamortized debt discounts	-700	-900
Wholly-owned properties, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	1,080,224	1,153,997
Total debt	1,080,224	1,217,634
Wholly-owned properties, net | Mortgage loans payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	1,022,304	1,094,306
Unamortized debt premiums	58,582	60,586
Unamortized debt discounts	-662	-895
Wholly-owned properties, net | Construction loans payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	0	63,637
On-campus participating properties, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total debt	114,300	114,280
On-campus participating properties, net | Mortgage loans payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	30,315	30,553
On-campus participating properties, net | Construction loans payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	44,200	43,942
On-campus participating properties, net | Bonds payable
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured mortgage, construction and bond debt	$39,785	$39,785

Debt_Additional_Information_De

Debt - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
	Property
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt during period	$3,841,000	$4,221,000
Number of properties	164
Notional amount	450,315,000
Credit facility, additional extension period	12 months
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt during period	3,841,000	4,221,000
Senior notes - June 2014 | AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Face amount			400,000,000
Maturity period			10 years
Debt instrument proceeds as percentage of par value (percent)			99.86%
Interest rate of note and outstanding bond (percent)			4.13%
Yield rate (percent)			4.14%
Net proceeds from sale of notes			395,300,000
Offering proceeds to pay down outstanding balance			340,000,000
Effective interest rate after effect of derivative instruments			4.27%
Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Notional amount	350,000,000
Term Loan I Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of loan extension options	2
Duration of loan extension options	12 months
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Line of credit, weighted average annual interest rate (percent)	0.89%
Interest rate during period	2.39%
Term Loan II Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Variable interest rate at period end	1.68%
Reference rate	0.18%
Basis spread on variable rate	1.50%
Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Ratio of borrowing amount to value of properties (percent)	60.00%
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	1,100,000,000
Credit facility, additional borrowing capacity	500,000,000
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility | Term loan facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	600,000,000
Number of unsecured term loans	2
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility | Term Loan I Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	350,000,000
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility | Term Loan II Facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Secured agency facility	250,000,000
Unsecured Revolving Credit Facility | Revolving credit facility
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Credit facility	500,000,000
Variable interest rate at period end	1.73%
Reference rate	0.18%
Basis spread on variable rate	1.30%
Line of credit, required unused commitment fee per annum (percent)	0.25%
Current borrowing capacity of credit facility	368,100,000
Forward starting swap contracts
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Termination of forward starting interest rate swap			4,100,000
Forward starting swap contracts | Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap contracts terminated			2
Notional amount		200,000,000	200,000,000
Termination of forward starting interest rate swap			4,100,000
Newtown Crossing, Olde Town University Square and Peninsular Place | Mortgage debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt during period	61,400,000
Number of properties	3
The View and University Meadows | Mortgage debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt during period	19,300,000
The Suites and Hilltop Townhomes | Construction loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of debt during period	44,600,000
Number of properties	2
University Walk
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Construction loan	$19,000,000

Stockholders_Equity_Partners_C2

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital - Summary of Equity Program Activity (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Total net proceeds	$216,666	$0
ATM Equity Program
Class of Stock [Line Items]
Total net proceeds	213,416
Commissions paid to sales agents	$3,250
Weighted average price per share (in usd per share)	$43.92
Shares of common stock sold	4,933,665

Stockholders_Equity_Partners_C3

Stockholders' Equity / Partners' Capital - (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2013
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Number of shares available for issuance	194,000,000
Conversion of operating partnership units to common stock (shares)	76,183	50,000
ATM Equity Program
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
ATM equity program, aggregate offering price authorized (up to $500 million)			$500
Common shares
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Shares issued as result of stock conversion	76,183	52,269
8 1/2 Canal | Common Operating Units
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity issued as part of business acquisition	343,895
Equity issued as part of business acquisition (in dollars per unit)	41.24

Noncontrolling_Interests_Summa

Noncontrolling Interests - Summarized Activity of Redeemable Limited Partners (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$54,472
Distributions	-394
Adjustments to reflect redeemable limited partner units at fair value	-1,072
Ending balance	67,432
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	54,472
Distributions	-394
Adjustments to reflect redeemable limited partner units at fair value	-1,072
Ending balance	67,432
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P. | Redeemable noncontrolling interests
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	54,472
Net income	747
Distributions	-464
Redeemable limited partner units issued as consideration (see Note 3)	14,182
Conversion of redeemable limited partner units into shares of ACC common stock	-2,577
Adjustments to reflect redeemable limited partner units at fair value	1,072
Ending balance	$67,432

Noncontrolling_Interests_Addit

Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
In Millions, except Share data, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014	Feb. 28, 2015
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Contributions by noncontrolling partners	$1.50
Conversion of common units to ACC common stock (shares)	76,183	50,000
AMERICAN CAMPUS COMMUNITIES OPERATING PARTNERSHIP, L.P.
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of third-party joint venture partners (entities)	3
Equity interests held by owners of common units and series A preferred units/ retained by seller (percent)	1.40%	1.20%
Series A Preferred Unit
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Conversion of common units to ACC common stock (shares)		2,269
Common shares
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Shares issued as result of stock conversion	76,183	52,269
University Walk
Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Cash paid as part of business acquisition			1.7
Adjustment to additional paid in capital as part of business acquisition			$0.20

Incentive_Award_Plan_Summary_o

Incentive Award Plan - Summary of Restricted Stock Awards (Details) (Restricted Stock Awards)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Restricted Stock Awards
Number of RSAs
Beginning balance (shares)	609,514
Granted (shares)	271,265
Vested (shares)	-116,166
Forfeited (shares)	-78,215	[1]
Ending balance (shares)	686,398
[1]	Includes shares withheld to satisfy tax obligations upon vesting.

Incentive_Award_Plan_Additiona

Incentive Award Plan - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (Restricted Stock Awards, USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Millions, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014
Restricted Stock Awards
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Allocated share-based compensation expense	$2.10	$1.90

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed2

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Summary of Outstanding Interest Rate Swap Contracts (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
Derivative [Line Items]
Current Notional Amount	$450,315,000
Fair Value	-4,170,000
Interest Rate Swap One - 2.2750 Fixed Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	18-Feb-14
Maturity Date	15-Feb-21
Pay Fixed Rate (percent)	2.28%
Receive Floating Rate Index	LIBOR - 1 month
Current Notional Amount	15,080,000
Fair Value	-640,000
Interest Rate Swap Two - 2.2750 Fixed Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	18-Feb-14
Maturity Date	15-Feb-21
Pay Fixed Rate (percent)	2.28%
Receive Floating Rate Index	LIBOR - 1 month
Current Notional Amount	15,235,000
Fair Value	-646,000
Interest Rate Swap - 0.8695% Fixed Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	2-Feb-12
Maturity Date	2-Jan-17
Pay Fixed Rate (percent)	0.87%
Receive Floating Rate Index	LIBOR – 1 month
Current Notional Amount	125,000,000
Fair Value	-608,000
Interest Rate Swap - 0.88% Fixed Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	2-Feb-12
Maturity Date	2-Jan-17
Pay Fixed Rate (percent)	0.88%
Receive Floating Rate Index	LIBOR – 1 month
Current Notional Amount	100,000,000
Fair Value	-505,000
Interest Rate Swap - 0.8875% Fixed Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	2-Feb-12
Maturity Date	2-Jan-17
Pay Fixed Rate (percent)	0.89%
Receive Floating Rate Index	LIBOR – 1 month
Current Notional Amount	62,500,000
Fair Value	-325,000
Interest Rate Swap - 0.889% Fixed Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	2-Feb-12
Maturity Date	2-Jan-17
Pay Fixed Rate (percent)	0.89%
Receive Floating Rate Index	LIBOR – 1 month
Current Notional Amount	62,500,000
Fair Value	-326,000
Interest Rate Swap - 1.545% Fixed Rate
Derivative [Line Items]
Effective Date	1-Nov-13
Maturity Date	5-Oct-18
Pay Fixed Rate (percent)	1.55%
Receive Floating Rate Index	LIBOR - 1 month
Current Notional Amount	70,000,000
Fair Value	($1,120,000)

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed3

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Fair Value of Derivative Financial Instruments and Classification on Consolidated Balance Sheet (Details) (Designated as hedging instrument, Other liabilities, USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivatives liabilities designated as hedging instruments	$4,170	$2,306
Interest rate swaps contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Total derivatives liabilities designated as hedging instruments	$4,170	$2,306

Derivative_Instruments_and_Hed4

Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	3 Months Ended		1 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Jun. 30, 2014
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	$450,315,000
Amortization of interest rate swap terminations	102,000	0
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount	350,000,000
Forward starting swap contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swap contracts (contracts)		2
Payments related to terminated swap contracts			4,100,000
Amortization of interest rate swap terminations	300,000
Forward starting swap contracts | Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Notional amount		200,000,000	200,000,000
Payments related to terminated swap contracts			$4,100,000

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Financi

Fair Value Disclosures - Financial Instruments Measured at Fair Value (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	$4,170	$2,306
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Company)/Redeemable limited Partners (Operating Partnership)	67,432	54,472
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets and Liabilities (Level 1)
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	0	0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Company)/Redeemable limited Partners (Operating Partnership)	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	4,170	2,306
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Company)/Redeemable limited Partners (Operating Partnership)	67,432	54,472
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Liabilities:
Derivative financial instruments	0	0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (Company)/Redeemable limited Partners (Operating Partnership)	$0	$0

Fair_Value_Disclosures_Estimat

Fair Value Disclosures - Estimated Fair Value and Related Carrying Amounts of Mortgage Loans and Bonds Payable (Details) (USD $)	Mar. 31, 2015	Dec. 31, 2014
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified
Estimated Fair Value
Assets:
Loans receivable	$47,092	$47,092
Liabilities:
Unsecured notes	824,588	802,943
Mortgage loans	1,115,715	1,182,501
Bonds payable	45,051	45,176
Carrying Amount
Assets:
Loans receivable	55,047	54,260
Liabilities:
Unsecured notes	798,347	798,305
Mortgage loans	1,110,540	1,184,550
Bonds payable	$39,785	$39,785

Commitments_and_Contingencies_

Commitments and Contingencies - Additional Information (Detail Textuals) (USD $)	12 Months Ended	3 Months Ended	1 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2014	Mar. 31, 2015	Aug. 31, 2013
			Contract
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Number of properties, under development		7
Alternate Housing Guarantees and Project Cost Guarantees
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Estimated maximum exposure under guarantee, amount		2,700,000
Alternate Housing Guarantees
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantee expiration period	5 days
Project Cost Guarantees
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Guarantee expiration period		1 year
Drexel University Property
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Lease term			40 years
Number of lease renewal options			3
Lease extension period			10 years
Time period Company to improvements			5 years
Commitment to pay real estate transfer taxes, amount			1,800,000
Real estate transfer taxes paid upon conveyance of land			600,000
Capital Addition Purchase Commitments | Drexel University Property
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commitment as part of ground lease agreement, amount			22,300,000
Payments for capital improvements		14,400,000
Purchase commitment expected in fiscal year 2015		21,500,000
Maximum | Drexel University Property
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Commitment to pay real estate transfer taxes, amount			2,400,000
Construction contracts
Loss Contingencies [Line Items]
Other commitment		192,300,000

Segments_Summary_Details

Segments - Summary (Details) (USD $)	3 Months Ended
In Thousands, unless otherwise specified	Mar. 31, 2015	Mar. 31, 2014	Dec. 31, 2014
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	$192,493	$183,183
Interest expense	-21,988	-21,090
Operating expenses	-142,317	-135,188
Property management fees from external customers	2,001	1,985
Income from continuing operations	71,267	26,147
Total assets	5,819,565		5,834,748
Operating segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	198,632	189,145
Income from continuing operations	71,267	26,147
Total segment assets	5,719,819	5,528,730
Unallocated corporate assets	99,746	91,985
Total assets	5,819,565	5,620,715
Operating segments | Wholly-owned properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	180,728	172,823
Interest income	271	272
Total revenues	180,999	173,095
Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, ground/facility leases and allocation of corporate overhead	-79,054	-76,380
Ground/facility leases	-1,223	-936
Interest expense	-8,738	-11,392
Operating income before depreciation, amortization, and allocation of corporate overhead	91,984	84,387
Depreciation and amortization	48,309	46,509
Capital expenditures	68,467	68,805
Total segment assets	5,599,146	5,417,680
Operating segments | On-campus participating properties
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Rental revenues	9,200	8,188
Interest income	0	3
Total revenues	9,200	8,191
Operating expenses before depreciation, amortization, ground/facility leases and allocation of corporate overhead	-2,427	-2,297
Ground/facility leases	-875	-627
Interest expense	-1,478	-1,149
Operating income before depreciation, amortization, and allocation of corporate overhead	4,420	4,118
Depreciation and amortization	1,716	1,212
Capital expenditures	781	12,292
Total segment assets	112,221	101,238
Operating segments | Development Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income before depreciation, amortization, and allocation of corporate overhead	-2,543	-2,656
Development and construction management fees	564	187
Operating expenses	-3,107	-2,843
Total segment assets	1,581	2,459
Operating segments | Property Management Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	7,869	7,672
Operating income before depreciation, amortization, and allocation of corporate overhead	5,041	4,576
Operating expenses	-2,828	-3,096
Property management fees from external customers	2,001	1,985
Intersegment revenues	5,868	5,687
Total segment assets	6,871	7,353
Unallocated interest income earned on investments and corporate cash
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	841	756
Elimination of intersegment revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	-5,868	-5,687
Total consolidated revenues, including interest income
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Total revenues	193,605	184,214
Segment operating income before depreciation, amortization and allocation of corporate overhead
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	98,902	90,425
Depreciation and amortization
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	-52,030	-49,674
Net unallocated expenses relating to corporate interest and overhead
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	-18,951	-14,314
Gain from disposition of real estate
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	44,252
Loss from early extinguishment of debt
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	-595	0
Income tax provision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Income from continuing operations	($311)	($290)

Segments_Additional_Informatio

Segments - Additional Information (Detail Textuals)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2015
	Segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Identified reportable segments (segments)	4

Subsequent_Events_Details

Subsequent Events - (Details) (Dividend Declared, Subsequent Event, USD $)	0 Months Ended
	6-May-15
Dividend Declared | Subsequent Event
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Common Stock, dividends per share, declared (usd per share)	$0.40
Dividend distribution date	29-May-15
Dividend payable, date of record	18-May-15