Education Realty Trust 10-Q 1 May 17 2017 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	EDUCATION REALTY TRUST, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	1,302,343
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Trading Symbol	EDR
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		73,182,270
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Entity Information [Line Items]
Entity Registrant Name	EDUCATION REALTY OPERATING PARTNERSHIP L P
Entity Central Index Key	1,351,345
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Filer Category	Non-accelerated Filer
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2017
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,017
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Assets:
Collegiate housing properties, net	$ 2,212,845	$ 2,108,706
Assets under development	394,906	289,942
Cash and cash equivalents	34,922	34,475
Restricted cash	7,714	7,838
Other assets	69,461	65,224
Total assets	2,719,848	2,506,185
Liabilities:
Mortgage and construction loans, net of unamortized deferred financing costs	29,776	62,520
Unsecured revolving credit facility	260,000	20,000
Unsecured term loan, net of unamortized deferred financing costs	186,314	186,738
Unsecured senior notes, net of unamortized deferred financing costs	248,004	247,938
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	135,800	127,872
Deferred revenue	24,923	20,727
Total liabilities	884,817	665,795
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	45,631	38,949
Equity:
Common stock, $0.01 par value per share, 200,000,000 shares authorized, 73,180,531 and 73,075,455 shares issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	732	731
Preferred shares, $0.01 par value per share, 50,000,000 shares authorized, no shares issued and outstanding	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	1,789,755	1,802,852
Retained earnings	0	0
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,486)	(3,564)
Total Education Realty Trust, Inc. stockholders’ equity	1,788,001	1,800,019
Noncontrolling interests	1,399	1,422
Total equity	1,789,400	1,801,441
Total liabilities and equity	2,719,848	2,506,185
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Assets:
Collegiate housing properties, net	2,212,845	2,108,706
Assets under development	394,906	289,942
Cash and cash equivalents	34,922	34,475
Restricted cash	7,714	7,838
Other assets	69,461	65,224
Total assets	2,719,848	2,506,185
Liabilities:
Mortgage and construction loans, net of unamortized deferred financing costs	29,776	62,520
Unsecured revolving credit facility	260,000	20,000
Unsecured term loan, net of unamortized deferred financing costs	186,314	186,738
Unsecured senior notes, net of unamortized deferred financing costs	248,004	247,938
Accounts payable and accrued expenses	135,800	127,872
Deferred revenue	24,923	20,727
Total liabilities	884,817	665,795
Commitments and contingencies	0	0
Redeemable limited partner units	6,046	6,789
Redeemable noncontrolling interests	39,585	32,160
Equity:
General partner - 6,920 units outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016	177	178
Limited partners - 73,173,611 and 73,068,535 units issued and outstanding as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively	1,790,310	1,803,405
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(2,486)	(3,564)
Total partners' capital	1,788,001	1,800,019
Noncontrolling interests	1,399	1,422
Total capital	1,789,400	1,801,441
Total liabilities and equity	$ 2,719,848	$ 2,506,185

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Common stock, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (shares)	73,180,531	73,075,455
Common stock, shares outstanding (shares)	73,180,531	73,075,455
Preferred shares, par value (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred shares, shares authorized (shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000
Preferred shares, shares issued (shares)	0	0
Preferred shares, shares outstanding (shares)	0	0
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
General partner, units outstanding (shares)	6,920	6,920
Limited partners, units issued (shares)	73,173,611	73,068,535
Limited partners, units outstanding (shares)	73,173,611	73,068,535

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME AND COMPREHENSIVE INCOME - USD ($) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Revenues:
Collegiate housing leasing revenue	$ 80,785,000	$ 70,183,000
Third-party development consulting services	1,815,000	483,000
Third-party management services	945,000	894,000
Operating expense reimbursements	2,253,000	1,819,000
Total revenues	85,798,000	73,379,000
Operating expenses:
Collegiate housing leasing operations	28,877,000	24,889,000
Development and management services	2,901,000	2,521,000
General and administrative	3,427,000	3,109,000
Depreciation and amortization	25,839,000	17,516,000
Ground lease expense	3,560,000	3,309,000
Loss on impairment of collegiate housing properties	0	0
Other operating expense	500,000	0
Reimbursable operating expenses	2,253,000	1,819,000
Total operating expenses	67,357,000	53,163,000
Operating income	18,441,000	20,216,000
Nonoperating (income) expenses:
Interest expense, net	3,028,000	4,663,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	421,000	480,000
Interest income	(32,000)	(74,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	22,000	9,920,000
Total nonoperating expenses	3,439,000	14,989,000
Income before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities, income taxes and gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	15,002,000	5,227,000
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities	255,000	(244,000)
Income before income taxes and gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	15,257,000	4,983,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	(885,000)	51,000
Income before gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	16,142,000	4,932,000
Gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	0	11,873,000
Net income	16,142,000	16,805,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(15,000)	136,000
Net income attributable to Education Realty Trust, Inc.	16,157,000	16,669,000
Comprehensive income:
Net income	16,142,000	16,805,000
Other comprehensive loss:
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	1,078,000	(3,446,000)
Comprehensive income	17,220,000	13,359,000
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(15,000)	136,000
Comprehensive income attributable to Education Realty Trust, Inc.	$ 17,235,000	$ 13,223,000
Earnings per share/unit information:
Distributions per share of common stock (usd per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.37
Weighted average shares/units outstanding:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (shares)	73,510	62,677
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	73,775	62,963
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.27
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	$ 0.21	$ 0.26
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Revenues:
Collegiate housing leasing revenue	$ 80,785,000	$ 70,183,000
Third-party development consulting services	1,815,000	483,000
Third-party management services	945,000	894,000
Operating expense reimbursements	2,253,000	1,819,000
Total revenues	85,798,000	73,379,000
Operating expenses:
Collegiate housing leasing operations	28,877,000	24,889,000
Development and management services	2,901,000	2,521,000
General and administrative	3,427,000	3,109,000
Depreciation and amortization	25,839,000	17,516,000
Ground lease expense	3,560,000	3,309,000
Other operating expense	500,000	0
Reimbursable operating expenses	2,253,000	1,819,000
Total operating expenses	67,357,000	53,163,000
Operating income	18,441,000	20,216,000
Nonoperating (income) expenses:
Interest expense, net	3,028,000	4,663,000
Amortization of deferred financing costs	421,000	480,000
Interest income	(32,000)	(74,000)
Loss on extinguishment of debt	22,000	9,920,000
Total nonoperating expenses	3,439,000	14,989,000
Income before equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities, income taxes and gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	15,002,000	5,227,000
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities	255,000	(244,000)
Income before income taxes and gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	15,257,000	4,983,000
Income tax (benefit) expense	(885,000)	51,000
Income before gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	16,142,000	4,932,000
Gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	0	11,873,000
Net income	16,142,000	16,805,000
Less: Net income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(50,000)	78,000
Net income attributable to Education Realty Trust, Inc.	16,192,000	16,727,000
Comprehensive income:
Net income	16,142,000	16,805,000
Other comprehensive loss:
Gain (loss) on cash flow hedging derivatives	1,078,000	(3,446,000)
Comprehensive income	17,220,000	13,359,000
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to the noncontrolling interests	(50,000)	78,000
Comprehensive income attributable to Education Realty Trust, Inc.	$ 17,270,000	$ 13,281,000
Earnings per share/unit information:
Earnings per share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.27
Distributions per share of common stock (usd per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.37
Weighted average shares/units outstanding:
Weighted average common shares outstanding - basic (shares)	73,664	62,894
Weighted average common shares outstanding - diluted (shares)	73,775	62,963

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN EQUITY - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Common Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Noncontrolling Interests	Limited Partners	Partnership Interest [Member]	Partnership Interest [Member]Limited Partners
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		56,879,003
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	$ 1,244,870	$ 569	$ 1,263,603	$ (21,998)	$ (5,475)	$ 8,171
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (in shares)		8,130,670
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	287,045	$ 81	286,964
Amortization of restricted stock and long-term incentive plan awards (in shares)		1,989
Amortization of long-term incentive plan awards	357	$ 0	357
Cash dividends	(23,392)		(23,392)			0
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	3,571					3,571
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	(4,115)		(1,706)			(2,409)		$ (4,115)	$ (1,706)
Adjustments to reflect redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value	(722)		(722)			(140)	$ (587)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	0					0		0
Comprehensive income (loss)	13,166			16,669	(3,446)	(57)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2016		65,011,662
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2016	1,520,780	$ 650	1,525,104	(5,329)	(8,921)	9,276
Beginning balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2016		73,075,455
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2016	1,801,441	$ 731	1,802,852	0	(3,564)	1,422
Increase (Decrease) in Stockholders' Equity [Roll Forward]
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs (in shares)		108,353
Proceeds from issuance of common stock, net of offering costs	597	$ 1	596
Amortization of restricted stock and long-term incentive plan awards (in shares)		6
Amortization of long-term incentive plan awards	776		776
Surrender of shares to cover taxes on vesting of restricted shares (in shares)		(3,283)							(3,283)
Adjustments Related to Tax Withholding for Share-based Compensation	(2,564)							(2,564)	$ (2,564)
Cash dividends	(27,817)		(11,660)	(16,157)		0
Adjustments to reflect redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value	238		238			137	$ 101
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(483)		(483)			483		$ (483)	$ (483)
Comprehensive income (loss)	17,212			16,157	1,078	(23)
Ending balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2017		73,180,531
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2017	$ 1,789,400	$ 732	$ 1,789,755	$ 0	$ (2,486)	$ 1,399

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN PARTNERS' CAPITAL AND NONCONTROLLING INTERESTS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Total	Limited Partners	Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.	Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss	Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.Noncontrolling Interests	Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.General Partner	Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.Limited Partners	Additional Paid-In Capital
Balance, Units (shares) at Dec. 31, 2015						6,920	56,872,083
Balance at Dec. 31, 2015			$ 1,244,870	$ (5,475)	$ 8,171	$ 184	$ 1,241,990
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units in exchange for contributions of equity offering proceeds and redemption of units (shares)							8,130,670
Issuance of units in exchange for contributions of equity offering proceeds and redemption of units			287,045				$ 287,045
Amortization of restricted stock and long-term incentive plan awards (shares)							1,989
Amortization of long-term incentive plan awards			357				$ 357
Distributions			(23,392)		0	(3)	(23,389)
Return of equity to noncontrolling interests		$ (149)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests			3,571		3,571
Purchase of noncontrolling interests	$ (4,115)		(4,115)		(2,409)		(1,706)	$ (1,706)
Adjustments to reflect redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value			(722)				(722)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	0		0
Comprehensive income (loss)			13,166	(3,446)	(57)	$ 3	$ 16,666
Balance, Units (shares) at Mar. 31, 2016						6,920	65,004,742
Balance at Mar. 31, 2016			1,520,780	(8,921)	9,276	$ 184	$ 1,520,241
Balance, Units (shares) at Dec. 31, 2016						6,920	73,068,535
Balance at Dec. 31, 2016			1,801,441	(3,564)	1,422	$ 178	$ 1,803,405
Increase (Decrease) in Partners' Capital [Roll Forward]
Issuance of units in exchange for contributions of equity offering proceeds and redemption of units (shares)							108,353
Issuance of units in exchange for contributions of equity offering proceeds and redemption of units			597				$ 597
Amortization of restricted stock and long-term incentive plan awards (shares)							6
Amortization of long-term incentive plan awards			776				$ 776
Surrender of shares to cover taxes on vesting of restricted shares (in shares)							(3,283)
Surrender of shares to cover taxes on vesting of restricted shares	(2,564)		(2,564)				$ (2,564)
Distributions			(27,817)		0	(3)	(27,814)
Return of equity to noncontrolling interests		$ (61)
Adjustments to reflect redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value			238				238
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ (483)		(483)				(483)	$ (483)
Comprehensive income (loss)			17,212	1,078	(23)	$ 2	$ 16,155
Balance, Units (shares) at Mar. 31, 2017						6,920	73,173,611
Balance at Mar. 31, 2017			$ 1,789,400	$ (2,486)	$ 1,399	$ 177	$ 1,790,310

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Operating activities:
Net income	$ 16,142	$ 16,805
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	25,839	17,516
Deferred tax expense	725	0
Excess tax benefit related to the vesting of restricted stock	(1,610)	0
Loss on disposal of assets	0	7
Gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	0	(11,873)
Noncash rent expense related to the straight-line adjustment for long-term ground leases	1,175	1,187
Loss on extinguishment of debt	22	9,920
Amortization of deferred financing costs	421	480
Amortization of unamortized debt premiums	0	(49)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	177	0
Noncash compensation expense related to stock-based incentive awards	938	827
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities	(255)	244
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	500	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities	1,541	2,486
Net cash provided by operating activities	45,615	37,550
Investing activities:
Property acquisitions	(127,647)	(24,357)
Purchase of corporate assets	(316)	(263)
Restricted cash	124	854
Investment in collegiate housing properties	(2,861)	(4,521)
Proceeds from sale of collegiate housing properties	0	54,107
Collections on notes receivable	0	1,667
Earnest money deposits	(510)	(735)
Investment in assets under development	(97,358)	(64,975)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	103	121
Net cash used in investing activities	(228,465)	(38,102)
Financing activities:
Payment of mortgage and construction loans	(32,950)	(98,384)
Borrowings under construction loans	146	12,444
Debt issuance costs	(493)	(55)
Debt extinguishment costs	0	(10,290)
Borrowings on line of credit	240,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	286,611
Payment of offering costs	(70)	(307)
Purchase and return of equity to noncontrolling interests	0	(7,025)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	7,131	3,571
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests		(2,100)
Dividends and distributions paid to common and restricted stockholders	(27,817)	(23,392)
Dividends and distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(87)	(200)
Repurchases of common stock for payments of restricted stock tax withholding	(2,563)	(315)
Net cash provided by financing activities	183,297	162,658
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	447	162,106
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	34,475	33,742
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	34,922	195,848
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	0	2,285
Income taxes paid	1	3
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests from unit holder to shares of common stock	1,138	938
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to developments	46,218	25,059
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Operating activities:
Net income	16,142	16,805
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization	25,839	17,516
Deferred tax expense	725	0
Excess tax benefit related to the vesting of restricted stock	(1,610)	0
Loss on disposal of assets	0	7
Gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	0	(11,873)
Noncash rent expense related to the straight-line adjustment for long-term ground leases	1,175	1,187
Loss on extinguishment of debt	22	9,920
Amortization of deferred financing costs	421	480
Amortization of unamortized debt premiums	0	(49)
Distributions of earnings from unconsolidated entities	177	0
Noncash compensation expense related to stock-based incentive awards	938	827
Equity in (earnings) losses of unconsolidated entities	(255)	244
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	500	0
Change in operating assets and liabilities	1,541	2,486
Net cash provided by operating activities	45,615	37,550
Investing activities:
Property acquisitions	(127,647)	(24,357)
Purchase of corporate assets	(316)	(263)
Restricted cash	124	854
Investment in collegiate housing properties	(2,861)	(4,521)
Proceeds from sale of collegiate housing properties	0	54,107
Collections on notes receivable	0	1,667
Earnest money deposits	(510)	(735)
Investment in assets under development	(97,358)	(64,975)
Distributions from unconsolidated entities	103	121
Net cash used in investing activities	(228,465)	(38,102)
Financing activities:
Payment of mortgage and construction loans	(32,950)	(98,384)
Borrowings under construction loans	146	12,444
Debt issuance costs	(493)	(55)
Debt extinguishment costs	0	(10,290)
Borrowings on line of credit	240,000
Proceeds from issuance of common stock	0	286,611
Payment of offering costs	(70)	(307)
Purchase and return of equity to noncontrolling interests	0	(7,025)
Contributions from noncontrolling interests	7,131	3,571
Distributions paid on unvested restricted stock and long-term incentive plan awards	(116)	(69)
Distributions paid to unitholders	(27,701)	(23,323)
Distributions paid to noncontrolling interests	(87)	(200)
Repurchases of common stock for payments of restricted stock tax withholding	(2,563)	(315)
Net cash provided by financing activities	183,297	162,658
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents	447	162,106
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period	34,475	33,742
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period	34,922	195,848
Supplemental disclosure of cash flow information:
Interest paid, net of amounts capitalized	0	2,285
Income taxes paid	1	3
Supplemental disclosure of noncash activities:
Redemption of redeemable noncontrolling interests from unit holder to shares of common stock	1,138	938
Capital expenditures in accounts payable and accrued expenses related to developments	$ 46,218	$ 25,059

Organization and description of

Organization and description of business	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Organization and description of business	Organization and description of business Education Realty Trust, Inc. ("EdR" and collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, the “Trust”) was organized in the state of Maryland on July 12, 2004 and commenced operations effective with the initial public offering that was completed on January 31, 2005. Through the Trust's controlling interest in both the sole general partner and the majority owning limited partner of Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. ("EROP" and collectively with its consolidated subsidiaries, the "Operating Partnership"), the Trust is one of the largest developers, owners and managers of collegiate housing communities in the United States in terms of beds owned and under management. The Trust is a self-administered and self-managed REIT that is publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol "EDR". Under the Articles of Incorporation, as amended, restated and supplemented, the Trust is authorized to issue up to 200 million shares of common stock and 50 million shares of preferred stock, each having a par value of $0.01 per share. The sole general partner of EROP is Education Realty OP GP, Inc. (“OP GP”), an entity that is indirectly wholly-owned by EdR. As of March 31, 2017 , OP GP held an ownership interest in EROP of less than 1% . The limited partners of EROP are Education Realty OP Limited Partner Trust, a wholly-owned subsidiary of EdR, and other limited partners consisting of current and former members of management. OP GP, as the sole general partner of EROP, has the responsibility and discretion in the management and control of EROP, and the limited partners of EROP, in such capacity, have no authority to transact business for, or participate in the management activities of EROP. Management operates the Trust and the Operating Partnership as one business. The management of the Trust consists of the same members as the management of the Operating Partnership. EdR consolidates the Operating Partnership for financial reporting purposes, and EdR does not have significant assets other than its investment in the Operating Partnership. Therefore, the assets and liabilities of the Trust and the Operating Partnership are the same on their respective financial statements. Unless otherwise indicated, the accompanying Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements apply to both the Trust and the Operating Partnership. The Trust also provides real estate facility management, development and other advisory services through its taxable REIT subsidiaries ("TRS"), EDR Management Inc. (the “Management Company”), a Delaware corporation that performs collegiate housing management activities. EDR Development LLC (the “Development Company”), a Delaware limited liability company and wholly-owned subsidiary of the Management Company, which provides development consulting services for third-party collegiate housing communities, is a disregarded entity for federal income tax purposes and all assets owned and income earned by our Development Company are deemed to be owned and earned by our Management Company.

Summary of significant accounti

Summary of significant accounting policies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Summary of significant accounting policies	Summary of significant accounting policies Basis of presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Trust represent the assets and liabilities and operating results of the Trust and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Principles of consolidation The Trust evaluates its interest in partnerships, joint ventures and other similar entities under the variable interest entity (“VIE”) guidance. Under the VIE model, the Trust consolidates an entity when it has control to direct the activities of the VIE and where it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. If it is determined that the legal entity qualifies for a VIE scope exception or the legal entity is not subject to the VIE model, the voting interest model is applied. Under the voting interest model, the Trust consolidates an entity when it controls the entity through the ownership of a majority voting interest. All of the Trust's property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership. See the assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements. Interim financial information The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the Trust's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods. Because of the seasonal nature of the business, the operating results and cash flows are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or for the full fiscal year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Trust's consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 28, 2017. 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 and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates. Collegiate housing properties Land, land improvements, buildings and improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment are recorded at cost. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over 15 to 40 years, land improvements are depreciated over 15 years and furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated over 3 to 7 years. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes over the estimated useful life. The Trust capitalizes interest based on the weighted average interest cost of the total debt and internal development costs while developments are ongoing as assets under development. When the property opens, these costs, along with other direct costs of the development, are transferred into the applicable asset category and depreciation commences. Acquired collegiate housing communities’ results of operations are included in the Trust’s results of operations from the respective dates of acquisition. Appraisals, estimates of cash flows and other valuation techniques are used to allocate the purchase price of acquired property between land, land improvements, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment and identifiable intangibles, such as amounts related to in-place leases. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred for acquisitions completed prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business" ("ASU 2017-01") and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Trust adopted ASU 2017-01 prospectively on January 1, 2017. Acquisition costs have been capitalized for subsequent acquisitions that are not deemed to be business combinations. Management assesses impairment of long-lived assets to be held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Management uses an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows of the related asset based on its intended use to determine whether the carrying value is recoverable. If the Trust determines that the carrying value of an asset is not recoverable, the fair value of the asset is estimated and an impairment loss is recorded to the extent the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value. Management estimates fair value using discounted cash flow models, market appraisals if available, and other market participant data. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , there were no impairment losses recognized. When a collegiate housing community has met the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the fair value less cost to sell such asset is estimated. If the fair value less cost to sell the asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded for the estimated loss. Depreciation expense is no longer recorded once a collegiate housing community has met the held for sale criteria. Dispositions that represent a strategic shift in the business will qualify for treatment as discontinued operations. The property disposition during the three months ended March 31, 2016 did not qualify for treatment as discontinued operations and, as a result, the operations of the property are included in continuing operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. During August 2016, the Trust committed and finalized plans to demolish and redevelop Players Club, an off-campus community that serves Florida State University. Depreciation estimates were revised to reflect the shortened remaining useful life. The Trust recorded $1.7 million of accelerated depreciation during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the change in estimate. The impact on net income attributable to EdR common stockholders per share - basic and diluted for the three months ending March 31, 2017 is $0.02 . The Trust estimates recording accelerated depreciation of $1.3 million in the three months ending June 30, 2017. Redeemable noncontrolling interests (the Trust) / redeemable limited partners (EROP) The Trust follows the guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") regarding the classification and measurement of redeemable securities. The Trust classifies redeemable noncontrolling interests, which include redeemable interests in consolidated joint ventures with puts exercisable by the joint venture partners and units of limited partnership interest in University Towers Operating Partnership, LP and in the Operating Partnership in the mezzanine section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Trust accounts for certain noncontrolling interests with embedded put and call features with fixed exercise prices and exercise dates as a financing arrangement, and these amounts are recorded as accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The liability is initially measured at present value of the fixed price settlement amount. Subsequently, the liability is accreted to the fixed price over the term of the contract, with the resulting expense recognized as interest expense. The Trust also has certain noncontrolling interests with put options at substantially fixed prices. These noncontrolling interests are accounted for as noncontrolling interests redeemable at other than fair value. The Trust accounts for the change in redemption value through the use of an accretion model from the date of inception to the expected redemption date. Changes in redemption value are recorded in equity, either through retained earnings or additional paid-in capital (absent any retained earnings). The impact of the changes in redemption value (accretion) is included in earnings per share using the two-class method. In the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership, the redeemable units of limited partnership in the Operating Partnership are classified as redeemable limited partners, and the redeemable interests in consolidated joint ventures with puts exercisable by the joint venture partners and units of limited partnership interest in University Towers Operating Partnership, LP are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests. The redeemable noncontrolling interest units / redeemable limited partner units are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the price per share of EdR's common stock or redemption value at the end of each respective reporting period. Common stock issuances and offering costs Specific incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of EdR common stock are charged against the gross proceeds of the related issuance. Accordingly, underwriting commissions and other stock issuance costs are reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity. The Trust is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT ("UPREIT") and contributes all proceeds from its various equity offerings to EROP. For every one share of common stock offered and sold by EdR for cash, EdR must contribute the net proceeds to EROP and, in return, EROP will issue one OP Unit to EdR. Income taxes EdR qualifies as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). EdR is generally not subject to federal, state and local income taxes on any of its taxable income that it distributes if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income for each tax year to its stockholders and meets certain other requirements. If EdR fails to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year, EdR will be subject to federal, state and local income taxes (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income. The Trust has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries, including the Management Company, as TRSs. A TRS is subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The Management Company provides management services and through the Development Company, provides development services, which if directly provided by the Trust would jeopardize EdR’s REIT status. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Trust had $0.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2017 . There was no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 . The Trust and its subsidiaries file federal and state income tax returns. As of March 31, 2017 , open tax years generally included tax years for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Trust’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in general and administrative expenses. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Trust had no interest or penalties recorded related to unrecognized tax benefits. Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of December 31, and is tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. The accumulated impairment loss recorded is $0.4 million . No additional impairment has been recorded through March 31, 2017 . The carrying value of goodwill was $3.1 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , of which $2.1 million was recorded on the management services segment and $0.9 million was recorded on the development consulting services segment. Goodwill is not subject to amortization. Other intangible assets generally include in-place leases acquired in connection with acquisitions of collegiate housing properties. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , in-place leases total $12.2 million and $7.4 million , respectively, and are being amortized over the life of the remaining lease term, which is generally less than one year. Amortization expense totaled $3.4 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , accumulated amortization totaled $7.0 million and $3.6 million , respectively. The carrying value of other intangible assets was $5.2 million and $3.8 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively. Investment in unconsolidated entities The Trust accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method whereby the costs of an investment are adjusted for the Trust’s share of earnings of the respective investment reduced by distributions received. The earnings and distributions of the unconsolidated joint ventures are allocated based on each owner’s respective ownership interests. These investments are classified as other assets or accrued expenses, depending on whether the distributions exceed the Trust’s contributions and share of earnings in the joint ventures, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 5). Earnings per share Earnings per Share - The Trust Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests by weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, including outstanding units in the Operating Partnership designated as LTIP Units ("LTIP Units"). Diluted earnings per share is calculated similarly, except that it includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of potentially dilutive securities and the shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements using the treasury stock method. The Trust follows the authoritative guidance regarding the determination of whether certain instruments are participating securities. All unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. This results in shares of unvested restricted stock and LTIP Units being included in the computation of basic earnings per share for all periods presented. When noncontrolling interests are redeemable at other than fair value, increases or decreases in the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests are reflected in earnings per share using the two-class method. Earnings per OP Unit - EROP Basic earnings per unit is calculated by dividing net income available to unitholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests by the weighted average number of OP Units and LTIP Units outstanding. Diluted earnings per unit is calculated similarly, except that it includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of potentially dilutive securities and the shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements using the treasury stock method. EROP follows the authoritative guidance regarding the determination of whether certain instruments are participating securities. Recent accounting pronouncements In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01. The ASU is intended to provide a new framework for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the new guidance, companies are required to utilize an initial screening test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set is not a business. The Trust adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption resulted in treatment of the first quarter 2017 acquisitions as asset acquisitions, rather than business combinations, and capitalization of acquisition costs. It is expected that going forward, acquisitions of collegiate housing properties will be treated as asset acquisitions. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" ("ASU 2016-18"). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows, and transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are no longer presented within the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Trust anticipates retrospectively adopting this guidance on January 1, 2018. The Trust's initial analysis indicates the adoption of this ASU will result in the change in restricted cash to no longer be presented in the statement of cash flows as an investing cash flow. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, " Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments " ("ASU 2016-15"). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues and intends to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows and will be applied retrospectively. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Trust adopted ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2017. As a result of this adoption, there was no impact to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for either period presented. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"), which requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, on a modified prospective basis. The Trust's primary revenue is collegiate housing rental income; as such, the Trust is a lessor on a significant number of leases. The Trust is continuing to evaluate the potential impact of the ASU and believes it will continue to account for its leases in substantially the same manner due to the short-term nature (less than 12 months) of the leases. The most significant change for the Trust relates to ground lease agreements, which could result in recording the right-of-use asset and related liability on the balance sheet. The Trust plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019 and is continuing to evaluate and quantify the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"), as amended by ASU 2015-04 to defer the effective date. The guidance outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including the guidance on real estate derecognition for most transactions. ASU 2014-09 provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued ASU 2016-08 that is intended to improve the understandability of the implementation guidance regarding principal versus agent considerations and has issued ASU 2016-10 to clarify the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance related to licensing. The effective dates of these amendments are the same as ASU 2014-09. The Trust's initial analysis of its non-lease related revenue contracts indicates the adoption of this ASU will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements; however, the Trust is still in the process of evaluating this ASU.

Acquisition and development of

Acquisition and development of real estate investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Real Estate [Abstract]
Acquisition and development of real estate investments	Acquisition and development of real estate investments Acquisition of collegiate housing properties 2017 Acquisitions During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Trust completed the following two collegiate housing property acquisitions, which were determined to be asset acquisitions under ASU 2017-01: Name Primary University Served Acquisition Date # of Beds # of Units Contract Price (in thousands) Retreat at Corvallis Oregon State University, Oregon January 2017 1,016 330 $ 99,450 319 Bragg Auburn University, Alabama February 2017 305 86 $ 28,500 Below is the allocation of the purchase price as of the date of the acquisition (in thousands): Retreat at Corvallis 319 Bragg Total Collegiate housing property $ 95,785 $ 27,475 $ 123,260 In-place leases 3,780 1,055 4,835 Other assets 617 2 619 Current liabilities (936 ) (131 ) (1,067 ) Total net assets acquired $ 99,246 $ 28,401 $ 127,647 The $0.3 million difference between the aggregate contracted price of $128.0 million and the net assets set forth in the table above represents working capital and other liabilities that were not part of the contractual purchase price, but were acquired. 2016 Acquisitions During the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Trust completed the following five collegiate housing property acquisitions: Name Primary University Served Acquisition Date # of Beds # of Units Contract Price (in thousands) Lokal Colorado State University, Colorado March 2016 194 79 $ 24,600 The Hub at Madison University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin May 2016 1,038 341 $ 188,500 Pura Vida Place Colorado State University, Colorado August 2016 100 52 $ 12,000 Carriage House Colorado State University, Colorado August 2016 94 54 $ 12,000 Urbane University of Arizona, Arizona September 2016 311 104 $ 50,000 These acquisitions were accounted for as business combinations as they occurred prior to the adoption of ASU 2017-01. Below is the allocation of the purchase price to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition (in thousands): Lokal The Hub at Madison Pura Vida Place Carriage House Urbane Total Collegiate housing property 23,653 189,832 11,498 11,528 47,999 $ 284,510 In-place leases 849 3,588 502 472 1,984 7,395 Other assets 3 87 5 4 18 117 Current liabilities (148 ) (7,442 ) (144 ) (67 ) (584 ) (8,385 ) Total net assets acquired $ 24,357 $ 186,065 $ 11,861 $ 11,937 $ 49,417 $ 283,637 The $3.5 million difference between the contracted price of $287.1 million and the net assets set forth in the table above includes contingent consideration related to the acquisition of The Hub at Madison, which was initially estimated at $5.3 million and represents additional purchase price related to future operating performance of the applicable property and future tax assessments. Of this amount, $3.1 million was paid out during 2016. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , $2.3 million was estimated and recorded as a contingent consideration liability, based upon probability of achieving certain operating performance metrics. The estimated range of possible outcomes is between $0.0 million and $4.5 million . The remaining difference between the contracted price and the net assets set forth above represents working capital and other liabilities that were not part of the contractual purchase price, but were acquired. In connection with the acquisition of Urbane, the Trust formed a limited liability company to acquire an interest in the legal entity owning the collegiate housing property. In addition to the $10.0 million capital contribution, the Trust advanced $23.6 million to the seller. Under the terms of the agreement, the Trust has a call exercisable on September 8, 2017 to acquire the remaining ownership interest from the seller and the seller similarly has a put to sell their interests to the Trust. The exercise price is substantially fixed and the exercise dates are within one month of each other. The Trust evaluated the LLC as a VIE and determined it was the primary beneficiary because it directs the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the entity. Therefore, the Trust has consolidated the VIE since the date of acquisition. The put and call arrangement was evaluated and it was determined the noncontrolling interests represent a liability because of the substantially fixed exercise prices and stated exercise dates and, therefore, the economic substance is a financing arrangement. The Trust has recorded the liability at the present value of the fixed price settlement amount ( $14.9 million reflected in accounts payable and accrued expenses) and will accrete the liability to the fixed price over the contractual term. The amount recorded at March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 approximates the redemption or settlement amount due to the short term of the contractual period. No earnings have been attributed to noncontrolling interests in the accompanying condensed consolidated statement of net income and comprehensive income. The Trust is also obligated to pay the seller contingent consideration of up to $1.5 million if certain performance conditions are met for the 2017/2018 lease year. Conversely, if the operating performance of the property does not achieve certain performance metrics, the seller is required to reimburse the Trust for up to $1.5 million of the purchase price. Based on the assessment of the probability of achieving the performance metrics as of the acquisition date, no contingent consideration was initially recorded at the acquisition date. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , $1.5 million and $1.0 million , respectively, were estimated and recorded as a contingent consideration liability, based upon probability of achieving certain operating performance metrics. The unaudited pro forma information had the acquisition date for the 2016 acquisitions been January 1, 2015 is as follows and is not necessarily indicative of results that would have occurred or which may occur (in thousands, except per share and per unit amounts): Three months ended March 31, 2016 (1) 2015 (2) Total revenue attributable to the Trust and EROP (1) $ 76,758 $ 64,382 Net income attributable to the Trust (1) $ 17,190 $ 6,862 Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.14 Net income attributable to EROP (1) $ 17,251 $ 6,901 Net income per unit attributable to unitholders - basic and diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.14 (1) As Urbane first opened for the 2016/2017 lease year (September 2016), supplemental pro forma revenue and net income information is not included for either period presented above. (2) As the Lokal, the Hub at Madison and Carriage House first opened for the 2015/2016 lease year (August 2015), supplemental pro forma revenue and net income information is not included for the period January 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015. For the three months ended March 31, 2016, actual revenue and net income from the 2016 property acquisitions included in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income since the respective dates of acquisition is $4.5 thousand and $3.5 thousand , respectively. Development of collegiate housing properties During 2016, the Trust completed the development of the following communities, all of which opened for the 2016/2017 lease year. The costs incurred to date for the Trust's owned communities represent the balance capitalized in collegiate housing properties, net as of December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands): Name Primary University Served Bed Count Costs Incurred as of December 31, 2016 Internal Development Costs Capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Three months ended March 31, 2016 Holmes Hall and Boyd Hall University of Kentucky 1,141 $ 85,691 $ 83 $ 633 Retreat at Blacksburg - Phase I & II Virginia Tech 829 64,549 32 208 Retreat at Oxford - Phase II University of Mississippi 350 26,745 21 195 Total 2,320 $ 176,985 $ 136 $ 1,036 The following represents a summary of active developments as of March 31, 2017 , including internal development costs and interest costs capitalized (dollars in thousands): Name Primary University Served Bed Count Costs Incurred as of March 31, 2017 Internal Development Costs Capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Internal Development Costs Capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Three months ended March 31, 2017 Three months ended March 31, 2016 University Flats University of Kentucky 771 $ 65,490 $ 8 $ 638 $ 60 $ 117 Lewis Hall University of Kentucky 346 23,304 108 173 71 2 Boise State University Boise State University 656 28,345 56 217 52 9 SkyVue Michigan State University 824 73,277 39 655 85 132 The Local: Downtown Texas State University 304 23,712 31 161 74 83 Avid Square Oklahoma State University 475 29,107 37 205 — — The Woods Northern Michigan University 1,200 22,991 78 146 — — Maplewood Cornell University 872 4,604 124 32 — — University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh 723 26,986 25 178 — — Players Club Redevelopment Florida State University 592 977 13 10 — — Hale Mahana University of Hawai'i 599 27,379 39 262 — — Hub at Minneapolis University of Minnesota 707 19,104 18 20 — — Arizona State University Arizona State University 857 36,491 58 260 — — Iowa State University Iowa State University 537 10,382 38 10 — — Colorado State University Colorado State University 229 2,757 22 22 — — Total active projects under development 9,692 $ 394,906 $ 694 $ 2,989 $ 342 $ 343 As of March 31, 2017 , the Trust is contractually obligated to fund remaining amounts under guaranteed maximum price contracts with the general contractor of approximately $467.4 million to complete these developments. All costs related to the development of collegiate housing communities are classified as assets under development in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets until the community is completed and opened.

Disposition of real estate inve

Disposition of real estate investments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Discontinued Operations and Disposal Groups [Abstract]
Disposition of real estate investments	Disposition of real estate investments During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , the 605 West collegiate housing community located in Durham, North Carolina was sold for a gross sales price of approximately $54.6 million . The Trust received net proceeds of approximately $54.1 million after deducting the closing costs and recognized a $11.9 million gain on this disposition. Prior to the sale, the Trust acquired its joint venture partner's interest for $2.1 million . The net income attributable to this property is included in the continuing operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income through the date of disposition.

Investments in unconsolidated e

Investments in unconsolidated entities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Investments in unconsolidated entities	Investments in unconsolidated entities As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Trust had investments in the following unconsolidated joint ventures (see Note 2), all of which are accounted for under the equity method: • a 50% interest in 1313 5th Street MN Holdings, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which owns the collegiate housing property referred to as The Marshall at the University of Minnesota; • a 50% interest in West Clayton Athens GA Owner, LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which owns the collegiate housing property referred to as Georgia Heights at the University of Georgia; • a 25% interest in University Village-Greensboro LLC, a Delaware limited liability company, which owns the collegiate housing property referred to as University Village - Greensboro; and • a 14% interest in Elauwit Networks, a South Carolina limited liability company. The Trust participates in major operating decisions of, but does not control, these entities; therefore, the equity method is used to account for these investments. The following is a summary of the results of operations related to the unconsolidated joint ventures for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited, in thousands): Results of Operations of Unconsolidated Entities: For the three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Revenues $ 5,609 $ 7,415 Net income (1) $ 455 $ 14 Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities $ 255 $ (244 ) (1) Net income for the period ended March 31, 2017 equals income from continuing operations. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Trust had $26.9 million and $27.0 million , respectively, of investments in unconsolidated entities classified in other assets in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , liabilities are recorded totaling $1.9 million at each date related to investments in unconsolidated entities where distributions exceeded contributions and equity in earnings and the Trust has historically provided financial support; therefore, these investments are classified in accounts payable and accrued expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 2).

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Revolving credit facility On November 19, 2014 , the Operating Partnership entered into a Fifth Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Fifth Amended Revolver”). The Fifth Amended Revolver has a maximum availability of $500.0 million and an accordion feature to $1.0 billion , which may be exercised during the first four years subject to satisfaction of certain conditions. The Fifth Amended Revolver is scheduled to mature on November 19, 2018 with a one -year extension option, provided that certain conditions are met. EdR serves as the guarantor for any funds borrowed by the Operating Partnership under the Fifth Amended Revolver. The interest rate per annum applicable to the Fifth Amended Revolver is, at the Operating Partnership’s option, equal to a base rate or the London InterBank Offered Rate ("LIBOR") plus an applicable margin based upon our leverage. As of March 31, 2017 , the interest rate applicable to the Fifth Amended Revolver was 2.23% . If amounts are drawn, due to the fact that the Fifth Amended Revolver bears interest at variable rates, cost approximates the fair value. In addition, the Operating Partnership also incurs an unused fee equal to either 0.15% or 0.25% of the unused balance, based on outstanding commitments. As of March 31, 2017 , the outstanding balance under the Fifth Amended Revolver was $260.0 million ; thus, the Trust's remaining availability was $240.0 million at March 31, 2017 . The Fifth Amended Revolver contains customary affirmative and negative covenants and contains financial covenants that, among other things, require the maintenance of certain minimum ratios of EBITDA (earnings before payment or charges of interest, taxes, depreciation, amortization or extraordinary items) as compared to interest expense and total fixed charges. The financial covenants also include consolidated net worth and leverage ratio tests, and distributions are prohibited in excess of 95% of funds from operations ("FFO") except to comply with the legal requirements to maintain REIT status. As of March 31, 2017 , the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all covenants under the Fifth Amended Revolver. Unsecured term loan facility On November 19, 2014, the Operating Partnership and certain subsidiaries entered into an amended and restated unsecured term loan facility under a Credit Agreement (the "First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement"). Under the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the unsecured term loans have an aggregate principal amount of $187.5 million , consisting of a $122.5 million Tranche A term loan with a seven -year maturity (the “Tranche A Term Loan”) and a $65.0 million Tranche B term loan with a five -year maturity (the “Tranche B Term Loan” and, together with the Tranche A Term Loan, the “Term Loans”). The Tranche A Term Loan matures on January 13, 2021 and the Tranche B Term Loan matures on January 13, 2019. The First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains an accordion feature pursuant to which the Borrowers may request that the total aggregate amount of the Term Loans be increased to $250.0 million , which may be allocated to Tranche A or Tranche B, subject to certain conditions, including obtaining commitments from any one or more lenders to provide such additional commitments. The interest rate per annum on the Tranche A Term Loan is, at the Operating Partnership’s option, equal to a base rate or LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 155 to 225 basis points. The interest rate per annum on the Tranche B Term Loan is, at the Operating Partnership’s option, equal to a base rate or LIBOR plus an applicable margin ranging from 120 to 190 basis points. The applicable margin for the Term Loans is based on leverage. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the aggregate outstanding balance under the Term Loans was $186.3 million and $186.7 million , respectively, which is presented net of unamortized deferred financing costs of $1.2 million and $0.8 million , respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement contains customary affirmative and restrictive covenants substantially similar to those contained in the Fifth Amended Revolver. EdR serves as the guarantor for any funds borrowed under the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. As of March 31, 2017 , the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all covenants of the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. In connection with entering into the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement, the Operating Partnership entered into multiple interest rate swaps with notional amounts totaling $187.5 million to hedge the interest payments on the LIBOR-based Term Loans (see Note 11). On January 18, 2017, the Operating Partnership entered into a Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (the “Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement”). The Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement amends and restates the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement (i) to lower the interest rate on the $122.5 million Tranche A Term Loan to LIBOR plus a margin range of 120 basis points to 190 basis points, and (ii) to extend the maturity of the $65 million Tranche B Term Loan to January 18, 2022. The provisions of the Second Amended and Restated Credit Agreement are otherwise identical to the provisions of the First Amended and Restated Credit Agreement. The Trust also entered into a forward starting interest rate swap concurrently with the extension of the Tranche B Term Loan (see Note 11). As of March 31, 2017 , the effective interest rate on the Tranche A Term Loan was 3.50% (weighted average swap rate of 2.30% plus the current margin of 1.20% ) and the effective interest rate on the Tranche B Term Loan was 2.86% (weighted average swap rate of 1.66% plus the current margin of 1.20% ). Unsecured senior notes On November 24, 2014, the Operating Partnership completed the public offering of $250.0 million aggregate principal amount of unsecured senior notes (the "Unsecured Senior Notes") under an existing shelf registration statement. The 10 -year Unsecured Senior Notes were issued at 99.991% of par value with a coupon of 4.6% per annum and are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by EdR. Interest on the Unsecured Senior Notes is payable semi-annually on June 1 and December 1 of each year. The Unsecured Senior Notes will mature on December 1, 2024. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the outstanding balance under the Unsecured Senior Notes was $248.0 million and $247.9 million , respectively, which is presented net of unamortized deferred financing costs of $2.0 million and $2.1 million , respectively, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The terms of Unsecured Senior Notes contain certain covenants that restrict the ability of EdR and the Operating Partnership to incur additional secured and unsecured indebtedness. 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, 2017 , the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all covenants. Mortgage and construction debt As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , mortgage and construction notes payable consist of the following, which were secured by the underlying collegiate housing properties (dollars in thousands): Outstanding Balance at Property March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Interest Rate at March 31, 2017 Interest Rate Type Maturity Date University Towers — 32,950 n/a Variable 7/1/2017 Mortgage Debt — 32,950 n/a The Oaks on the Square - Phase IV 29,776 29,626 2.79 % Variable 10/20/2017 Construction Loans 29,776 29,626 2.79 % Total mortgage and construction debt / weighted average rate 29,776 62,576 2.79 % Unamortized deferred financing costs — (56 ) Total net of unamortized deferred financing costs 29,776 62,520 Less current portion, net of unamortized deferred financing costs (29,776 ) (62,520 ) Total mortgage and construction debt, net of current portion $ — $ — Mortgage debt and construction loans During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Operating Partnership repaid in full the variable-rate mortgage debt secured by the University Towers collegiate housing property with a principal balance of $33.0 million . The interest rate was 2.9% per annum and the mortgaged debt was scheduled to mature on July 1, 2017. The construction loan secured by the Oaks of the Square Phase IV contains customary financial covenants, such as minimum debt service ratios. As of March 31, 2017 , the Operating Partnership was in compliance with all covenants. The following table reconciles the carrying amount of mortgage and construction notes payable, net of unamortized deferred financing costs, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Balance, beginning of period $ 62,520 $ 204,511 Additions to principal 146 40,974 Repayments of principal (32,950 ) (183,862 ) Amortization of debt premium — (49 ) Write-off of debt premium related to debt pay off — (523 ) (Increase) decrease in deferred financing costs, net 60 1,469 Balance, end of period $ 29,776 $ 62,520 The scheduled maturities of outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Year 2017 (nine months ending December 31, 2017) $ 29,776 2018 260,000 2019 — 2020 — 2021 122,500 2022 65,000 Thereafter 250,000 Total 727,276 Unamortized deferred financing costs (3,178 ) Outstanding as of March 31, 2017, net of unamortized deferred financing costs $ 724,098

Commitments and contingencies

Commitments and contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and contingencies	Commitments and contingencies For its third-party development projects, the Trust commonly provides alternate housing and project cost guarantees, subject to certain conditions. Alternate housing guarantees generally require the university to provide on-campus housing or the Trust to provide substitute living quarters and transportation for students to and from the university if the project is not complete by an agreed-upon date. Under project cost guarantees, the Trust is responsible for the construction costs 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. The Operating Partnership and various joint venture partners have jointly and severally guaranteed partial repayment on third-party mortgage and construction debt secured by the following underlying collegiate housing properties, all of which are unconsolidated joint ventures. The Operating Partnership is liable to the lender for any loss, damage, cost, expense, liability, claim or other obligation incurred by the lender arising out of or in connection with certain non-recourse exceptions in connection with the debt. Pursuant to the respective operating agreements, the joint venture partners agreed to indemnify, defend and hold harmless the Trust with respect to such obligations, except to the extent such obligations were caused by the willful misconduct, gross negligence, fraud or bad faith of the Operating Partnership or its employees, agents or affiliates. Therefore, exposure under the guaranties for obligations not caused by the willful misconduct, gross negligence, fraud or bad faith of the Operating Partnership or its employees, agents or affiliates are not expected to exceed the Operating Partnership's proportionate interest in the related mortgage debt in the case of the non-recourse, carve-out guaranty, or in the Operating Partnership's proportionate interest in the partial repayment guaranty, as applicable. The following summarizes the Operating Partnership's exposure under such guaranties (dollars in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Joint Venture Balance Operating Partnership's Proportionate Interest Joint Venture Balance Operating Partnership's Proportionate Interest Ownership Percent Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee University Village - Greensboro 25 % $ 22,835 n/a $ 5,709 n/a $ 22,934 n/a $ 5,734 n/a The Marshall 50 % 55,618 8,767 27,809 4,384 55,838 8,767 27,919 4,384 Georgia Heights 50 % 34,961 7,230 17,481 3,615 34,914 7,230 17,457 3,615 During October 2014, the Operating Partnership and LeylandAlliance LLC entered into a $38.0 million construction loan for the fourth phase of the The Oaks on the Square project. The Operating Partnership and LeylandAlliance LLC jointly committed to provide a guarantee of repayment for the construction loan. As of March 31, 2017 , $37.2 million had been drawn on the construction loan, of which $7.4 million was attributable to LeylandAlliance LLC, and has not been included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. As owners and operators of real estate, environmental laws impose ongoing compliance requirements on the Trust. The Trust is not aware of any environmental matters or liabilities with respect to the collegiate housing communities that would have a material adverse effect on the Trust’s condensed consolidated financial condition or results of operations. In the normal course of business, the Trust is subject to claims, lawsuits and legal proceedings. While it is not possible to ascertain the ultimate outcome of such matters, in management’s opinion, the liabilities, if any, are not expected to have a material effect on the Trust's financial position, results of operations or liquidity.

Noncontrolling interests

Noncontrolling interests	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Noncontrolling interests	Noncontrolling interests Operating Partnership Joint Ventures: As of March 31, 2017 , EROP had entered into nine joint venture agreements to develop, own and manage certain collegiate housing communities. All of these joint ventures are VIEs that meet the criteria for consolidation (see Note 2). EROP's joint venture partners' investments in all but one of the communities under development meet the requirements to be classified outside of permanent equity, and are therefore classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets and net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income due to the partners' ability to put their ownership interests to EROP for cash based on fair value or at a substantially fixed exercise price as stipulated in the operating agreements. These contributions occurred during 2016 and the three months ended March 31, 2017, and the developments are still under construction. In connection with the acquisition of The Hub at Madison (see Note 3), the Trust, through a joint venture, acquired a controlling interest in the legal entity owning the collegiate housing property. At March 31, 2017 , the partner’s interest was 1.6% . In connection with the acquisition of Urbane (see Note 3), the Trust, through a joint venture, acquired a controlling interest in the legal entity owning the collegiate housing property. At March 31, 2017 , the partners' noncontrolling interest was 3.0% . The partners' ownership interests in both joint ventures were accounted for as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets due to the partners' ability to put their respective ownership interests to the Operating Partnership for cash based on fair value. The share in net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests is recorded in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the Urbane joint venture partner also has an additional interest in the legal entity, however, it was determined the noncontrolling interest represented a financing arrangement that has been recorded as an accrued liability. The value of the joint venture partners' investments in the development projects and acquired properties redeemable at fair value are reported at the greater of fair value or historical cost at the end of each reporting period. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the joint venture partners' investment in development projects was recorded at historical cost, as the carrying value approximates fair value. At March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the joint venture partners' interest in the acquired properties was recorded at fair value. The joint venture partners’ investments in development projects redeemable at substantially fixed prices are considered redeemable at other than fair value. The change in redemption value during the three months ended March 31, 2017 is reflected in additional paid-in capital and is also included in earnings per share using the two-class method. EROP also owns a 72.7% interest in University Towers Operating Partnership, LP. This entity is considered a VIE that meets the criteria for consolidation (see Note 2). The units of the limited partnership interest of University Towers Operating Partnership, LP (“University Towers Operating Partnership Units”) are also classified as noncontrolling interests. The University Towers Operating Partnership Units are redeemable at the option of the holder and they participate in net income and distributions. Accordingly, EROP has determined that the University Towers Operating Partnership Units meet the requirements to be classified outside of permanent equity, and are therefore also classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Income related to such units are recorded as net income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were 69,086 University Towers Operating Partnership Units outstanding. The value of redeemable University Towers Operating Partnership Units is reported at the greater of fair value or historical cost at the end of each reporting period. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , EROP reported the redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value, which was greater than historical cost. Fair value at each reporting period is determined based on the market price of the Trust's common stock and is considered Level 1 in the fair value hierarchy. The following table sets forth activity with the redeemable noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Beginning balance $ 32,160 $ 5,248 Net income (loss) (27 ) 135 Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests 7,131 — Adjustments to report redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value (137 ) 140 Purchase and return of equity to noncontrolling partner's interest — (2,910 ) Distributions (25 ) (51 ) Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests 483 — Ending balance $ 39,585 $ 2,562 Redeemable Limited Partner Units: The OP Units that may be tendered for redemption by the holders thereof for cash, or at EdR's option, for shares of EdR common stock are classified as redeemable limited partner units in the mezzanine section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership. The redeemable limited partner units are reported at the greater of fair value or historical cost at the end of each reporting period. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , EROP reported the redeemable limited partner units at fair value (considered Level 1 as determined based on the market price of the Trust's common stock), which was greater than historical cost. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, 27,500 and 25,000 OP Units were redeemed for 27,500 and 25,000 shares of EdR's common stock, respectively. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , there were 132,198 and 159,698 OP Units outstanding, respectively, other than OP Units held by EdR. Below is a table summarizing the activity of redeemable limited partner units for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Beginning balance $ 6,789 $ 8,312 Net income 35 58 Distributions (61 ) (149 ) Reclassification of vested LTIP Units to redeemable limited partner 522 244 Redemption of redeemable partner units in exchange for common stock or redemption into cash (1,138 ) (938 ) Adjustments to report redeemable limited partner units at fair value (101 ) 587 Ending balance $ 6,046 $ 8,114 The Trust The Trust accounts for the joint ventures discussed above as VIEs and consolidates such entities in the same manner as EROP. The noncontrolling interests of the Trust include third-party equity interests in one joint venture development which is presented as a component of equity in the Trust’s accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Trust’s redeemable noncontrolling interests include: (1) the redeemable limited partners presented in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of EROP; (2) the University Towers Operating Partnership Units; (3) our partners' investments in certain joint venture developments; and (4) our partners' investments in certain acquired communities, which are presented as redeemable noncontrolling interests in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of EROP.

Equity

Equity	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Stockholders' Equity Note Disclosure [Text Block]	Equity Stockholders’ Equity - The Trust During October 2014, the Trust entered into agreements to establish an at-the-market equity offering program (the "2014 ATM Program") authorized to sell a maximum of $150.0 million in shares of EdR common stock. The Trust sold approximately 1.3 million shares under these distribution agreements during the three months ended March 31, 2016 and received net proceeds of approximately $51.1 million after deducting sales agents' fees and other expenses payable by the Trust. On January 15, 2016, the Trust completed a follow-on equity offering of approximately 6.3 million shares of EdR common stock. The Trust received approximately $215.1 million in net proceeds from the offering after deducting the underwriting discount and other offering expenses payable by the Trust. Of the total net proceeds, approximately $108.5 million was used to pay off $98.2 million of fixed rate mortgage debt bearing an average effective interest rate of 5.4% and $10.3 million of prepayment penalties associated with the early extinguishment of debt. On March 24, 2016, EdR issued approximately 0.5 million shares of its common stock for a total of approximately $20.0 million pursuant to the direct stock purchase component of the Amended and Restated Dividend Reinvestment and Direct Stock Purchase Plan. On August 1, 2016 and February 28, 2017, the Trust entered into equity distribution agreements to establish new ATM Programs under which the Trust is authorized to sell a maximum of $300.0 million and $500.0 million , respectively, in shares of its common stock. We refer to the ATM Program implemented in February 28, 2017 as the "2017 ATM Program." Under these equity distribution agreements, EdR may make sales of common stock through at-the-market transactions or pursuant to forward sales agreements (the “Forward Agreements”) with certain counterparties. In connection with any Forward Agreement, the relevant forward purchaser will borrow from third parties, and through the relevant sales agent, sell a number of shares of EdR common stock underlying the particular Forward Agreement. The Trust does not initially receive any proceeds from any sale of borrowed shares. At March 31, 2017 , a summary of the outstanding Forward Agreements is set forth in the table below (shares in thousands): Date of Forward Agreement Shares Sold Volume Weighted Average Sale Price Per Share Initial Forward Price (1) Final Settlement Date (2) August 2, 2016 273 $ 47.93 $ 47.33 December 29, 2017 August 8, 2016 550 46.86 46.28 December 29, 2017 August 15, 2016 185 46.55 45.97 December 29, 2017 August 22, 2016 213 45.59 45.02 December 29, 2017 August 29, 2016 3,323 43.36 42.82 December 29, 2017 October 3, 2016 2,408 41.00 40.51 December 29, 2017 February 28, 2017 361 41.55 41.14 December 31, 2018 7,313 $ 43.07 $ 42.64 (1) The initial forward price under each Forward Agreement is equal to 99.00% of the volume weighted average price at which the shares of EdR common stock are sold by the applicable forward seller as adjusted to reflect changes in the federal funds rate and to account for dividends paid to holders of EdR common stock. The initial forward prices presented in this table are for illustrative purposes only as the actual amount of proceeds per share to be received by the Trust upon settlement will be determined on the applicable settlement date based on adjustments made to the initial forward price to reflect the then-current federal funds rate and the amount of dividends paid to holders of EdR common stock over the term of the Forward Agreement. (2) Represents the final date on which shares sold under each Forward Agreement may be settled. As of March 31, 2017 , the Trust had approximately $485.0 million available for issuance under its 2017 ATM Program. The Trust generally has the ability to determine the dates and method of settlement, subject to certain conditions and the right of the counterparty to accelerate settlement under certain circumstances. The Trust currently expects to fully physically settle each Forward Agreement on one or more dates specified by the Trust prior to the maturity date of the applicable Forward Agreement, in which case the Trust expects to receive aggregate net cash proceeds at settlement equal to the number of shares of common stock underlying the applicable Forward Agreement multiplied by the relevant forward sale price. However, subject to certain exceptions, the Trust may also elect, in its discretion, to cash settle or net share settle a particular Forward Agreement, in which case the Trust may not receive any proceeds (in the case of cash settlement) or will not receive any proceeds (in the case of net share settlement), and the Trust may owe cash (in the case of cash settlement) or shares of EdR common stock (in the case of net share settlement) to the relevant counterparty. The Trust accounts for shares of EdR common stock reserved for issuance upon settlement of each Forward Agreement as equity. Before the issuance of shares of EdR common stock, if any, upon physical or net share settlement of the Forward Agreements, the Trust expects that the shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements will be reflected in its diluted earnings per share calculations using the treasury stock method. Under this method, the number of shares of EdR common stock used in calculating diluted earnings per share is deemed to be increased by the excess, if any, of the number of shares of common stock that would be issued upon full physical settlement of the Forward Agreements over the number of shares of common stock that could be purchased by the Company in the open market (based on the average market price during the period) using the proceeds receivable upon full physical settlement (based on the adjusted forward sale price at the end of the reporting period). If and when the Trust physically or net share settles any Forward Agreement, the delivery of shares of our common stock would result in an increase in the number of shares outstanding and dilution to basic earnings per share. Partners’ Capital - Operating Partnership In connection with the equity offering and ATM Program discussed above, the Operating Partnership issues OP Units to EdR equivalent to the number of common shares issued by EdR.

Incentive plans

Incentive plans	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Incentive plans	Incentive plans On May 4, 2011, the Trust’s stockholders approved the Education Realty Trust, Inc. 2011 Omnibus Equity Incentive Plan (the "2011 Plan"). The purpose of the 2011 Plan is to promote the interests of the Trust and its stockholders by attracting, motivating and retaining talented executive officers, employees and directors of the Trust and linking their compensation to the long-term interests of the Trust and its stockholders. The 2011 Plan authorized the grant of the 105,000 shares that remained available for grant under the previous plan, as well as 1,049,167 additional shares. As of March 31, 2017 , the Trust had 538,858 shares of its common stock reserved for issuance pursuant to the 2011 Plan. Automatic increases in the number of shares available for issuance are not provided. The 2011 Plan provides for the grant of stock options, restricted stock, restricted stock units (“RSUs”), stock appreciation rights, other stock-based incentive awards to employees, directors and other key persons providing services to the Trust. A restricted stock award is an award of the Trust’s common stock that is subject to restrictions on transferability and other restrictions as the Trust’s compensation committee determines in its sole discretion on the date of grant. The restrictions may lapse over a specified period of employment or the satisfaction of pre-established criteria as the compensation committee may determine. Except to the extent restricted under the award agreement, a participant awarded restricted stock will have all of the rights of a stockholder as to those shares, including, without limitation, the right to vote and the right to receive dividends or distributions on the shares. Unearned compensation related to restricted stock is recorded as expense over the applicable vesting period. The value is determined based on the market value of the Trust’s common stock on the grant date. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , compensation expense of $0.1 million was recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, related to the vesting of restricted stock. As the applicable service period of all restricted stock ended on December 31, 2016, there was no compensation expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to restricted stock. An RSU award is an award that will vest based upon the Trust’s achievement of total stockholder returns at specified levels as compared to the average total stockholder returns of a peer group of companies and/or the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts Equity Index over three years (the “Performance Period”). At the end of the Performance Period, the compensation committee of the Board will determine the level and the extent to which the performance goal was achieved. RSUs that satisfy the performance goal will be converted into fully-vested shares of the Trust’s common stock and the Trust will receive a tax deduction for the compensation expense at the time of vesting. Prior to vesting, the participants are not eligible to vote or receive dividends or distributions on the RSUs. Unearned compensation related to RSU awards is recorded as expense over the applicable vesting period. During the three months ended March 31, 2016 , compensation expense of $0.1 million was recognized in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income, related to the vesting of RSUs. As the applicable service period of all RSUs ended on December 31, 2016, there was no compensation expense recorded during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to RSUs. On January 1, 2017, 79,699 fully-vested shares of common stock were issued upon vesting of RSUs granted in 2014. The Trust's 2016 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2016 LTIP"), adopted in 2016, and 2017 Long-Term Incentive Plan ("2017 LTIP"), adopted in 2017, provide that 25% of a participant’s award consists of a time-vested grant of LTIP Units in the Operating Partnership subject to the rights, preferences and other privileges as designated in the partnership agreement of the Operating Partnership (the “Partnership Agreement”). Similar to the treatment of restricted stock, the time-vested 2016 and 2017 LTIP Units vest over a three -year period and are valued for award purposes at a value equal to the price of the Trust's stock on the grant date. The time-vested 2016 and 2017 LTIP Units are entitled to voting and distribution rights from the effective date of the grant in accordance with the Partnership Agreement, but are non-transferable and non-convertible until fully vested. The remaining 75% of a participant’s award consists of a grant of performance-based 2016 and 2017 LTIP Units. The vesting of performance-based 2016 and 2017 LTIP Units is dependent upon the Trust's achievement of six performance criteria approved by the compensation committee, over a three -year period, with a minimum, threshold and maximum performance standard for each performance criterion. Three of the performance criteria are based on market conditions and three have performance vesting conditions under ASC 718, " Compensation - Stock Compensation ". The fair value of the awards subject to market conditions was determined using a Monte Carlo simulation technique by an independent third party consultant. The fair value of the awards subject to performance conditions was calculated based on the closing market value of EdR's common stock on the grant date. The probability of achieving the performance conditions is assessed quarterly. The performance-based 2016 and 2017 LTIP Units are entitled to voting and distribution rights from the effective date of the grant in accordance with the operating agreement of the Operating Partnership, but are nontransferable and non-convertible until fully vested. After the determination of the achievement of the performance criteria, any performance-based 2016 and 2017 LTIP Units that were awarded but did not become vested LTIP Units will be canceled. Once fully vested, the 2016 and 2017 LTIP Units may be converted to OP Units in the Operating Partnership and thereafter, at the election of the unitholder, may be tendered for redemption into shares of EdR’s common stock or cash, at the discretion of the general partner, in accordance with the terms of the Partnership Agreement. Compensation expense recognized in general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income related to the LTIP Units was $0.8 million and $0.5 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , respectively. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , unearned compensation related to LTIP Units totaled $6.5 million and $4.2 million , respectively, and will be recorded as expense over the applicable vesting period. Total stock-based compensation expense recognized in general and administrative expense in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 was $0.8 million and $0.7 million , respectively. A summary of the stock-based incentive plan activity as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: Restricted Stock Awards Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Restricted Stock Award RSU Awards Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU LTIP Units Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per LTIP Unit Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 25,569 (1) $ 28.32 146,911 $ 20.58 155,774 $ 18.83 Granted — — — — 131,745 26.20 Vested (10,199 ) 31.92 (10,776 ) 22.95 (7,067 ) 18.83 Surrendered (7,508 ) 31.92 (43,596 ) 22.95 — — Outstanding as of March 31, 2016 7,862 (1) $ 26.46 92,539 $ 19.20 280,452 $ 22.29 Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 7,799 (1) $ 26.46 91,756 $ 19.20 280,452 $ 22.29 Granted — — — — 146,728 25.85 Vested (4,516 ) 26.46 (53,131 ) 19.20 (14,385 ) 36.30 Surrendered (3,283 ) 26.46 (38,625 ) 19.20 — — Outstanding as of March 31, 2017 — $ — — $ — 412,795 $ 22.80 (1) Represents unvested shares of restricted stock awards as of the date indicated.

Derivatives and hedging activit

Derivatives and hedging activities	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Derivatives and hedging activities	Derivatives and hedging activities Cash Flow Hedges of Interest Rate Risk The objectives in using interest rate derivatives are to add stability to interest expense and to manage the exposure to interest rate movements. To accomplish this objective, interest rate swaps are used as part of the interest rate risk management strategy. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , such derivatives were used to hedge the variable cash flows associated with variable-rate debt. As of March 31, 2017 , six interest rate swaps were outstanding with a combined notional amount of $187.5 million that were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. Also as of March 31, 2017 , the Trust had three forward-starting interest rate swap agreements with an aggregate notional amount of $65.0 million . The Trust entered into these forward-starting interest rate swaps in order to lock in fixed interest rates on the extended term of the Tranche B Term Loan (see Note 11). Accordingly, the forward-starting interest rate swaps were designated as cash flow hedges of interest rate risk. The counter-parties to such swaps are major financial institutions. The effective portion of changes in the fair value of derivatives designated and that qualify as cash flow hedges is recorded in accumulated other comprehensive loss and is subsequently reclassified into earnings in the period that the hedged forecasted transaction affects earnings. The ineffective portion of the change in fair value of the derivatives, which is immaterial for all periods presented, is recognized directly in earnings. During the next twelve months, an additional $1.6 million is estimated to be reclassified to earnings as an increase to interest expense. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the fair value of the derivatives and the forward-starting interest rate swaps is as follows (in thousands): Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Balance Sheet Location March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet Location March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Interest rate contracts Other assets $ 165 $ — Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 2,651 $ 3,564 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 165 $ — $ 2,651 $ 3,564 The following table discloses the effect of the derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Location of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) Amount of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) 2017 Interest rate contracts $ 304 Interest expense $ (609 ) 2017 Forward-starting interest rate contracts $ 165 Interest expense $ — 2016 Interest rate contracts $ (4,229 ) Interest expense $ (782 ) The above contracts are subject to enforceable master netting arrangements that provide a right of offset with each counterparty; however, no offsetting positions exist due to certain duplicate terms across all contracts. Therefore, the derivatives are not subject to offset in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. Credit-risk-related Contingent Features The Operating Partnership has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where if the Operating Partnership defaults on any of its indebtedness, including default where repayment of the indebtedness has not been accelerated by the lender, then the Operating Partnership could also be declared in default on its derivative obligations. In addition, the Operating Partnership has agreements with each of its derivative counterparties that contain a provision where the Operating Partnership could be declared in default on its derivative obligations if repayment of the underlying indebtedness is accelerated by the lender due to the Operating Partnership's default on the indebtedness. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the fair value of derivatives related to these agreements, which includes accrued interest, but excludes any adjustment for nonperformance risk, was a liability of $2.7 million and $3.8 million , respectively. As of March 31, 2017 , the Operating Partnership has not posted any collateral related to these agreements. If the Operating Partnership had breached any of these provisions at March 31, 2017 , it could have been required to settle its obligations under the agreements at their termination value of $2.7 million .

Earnings per share_unit

Earnings per share/unit	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Earnings per share/unit	Earnings per share/unit Earnings per Share - The Trust The following is a summary of the components used in calculating earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars and shares/units in thousands, except per share data): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per share: Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 16,157 $ 16,669 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests (483 ) — Net income attributable to common shareholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 15,674 $ 16,669 Denominator: Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 73,510 62,677 OP Units 154 (1 ) 217 (1 ) University Towers Operating Partnership Units 69 69 Shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements 42 — Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 73,775 62,963 Earnings per share – basic: Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 0.21 $ 0.27 Earnings per share – diluted: Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 0.21 $ 0.26 Distributions declared per common share $ 0.38 $ 0.37 (1) Includes the impact of weighted average number of OP Units outstanding during the period. Earnings per Unit - EROP The following is a summary of the components used in calculating earnings per unit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars and shares/units in thousands, except per unit data): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per unit: Net income attributable to unitholders $ 16,192 $ 16,727 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests (483 ) — Net income attributable to common unitholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 15,709 $ 16,727 Denominator: Weighted average units outstanding 73,159 62,429 Redeemable Operating Partnership units 154 (1) 217 (1 ) LTIP units 351 248 Weighted average units outstanding - basic 73,664 62,894 Redeemable University Towers Operating Partnership Units 69 69 Units issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements 42 — Weighted average units outstanding – diluted 73,775 62,963 Earnings per unit – basic and diluted: Net income attributable to unitholders $ 0.21 $ 0.27 Distributions declared per unit $ 0.38 $ 0.37 (1) Includes the impact of weighted average number of OP Units outstanding during the period.

Fair Value of Financial Instrum

Fair Value of Financial Instruments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value of Financial Instruments	Fair Value of Financial Instruments The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820") as follows: • Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. • Level 2 - Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1, for example, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets. • Level 3 - Unobservable inputs reflecting management's own assumption about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis consist of real estate assets and investments in partially owned entities that have been written-down to estimated fair value when it has been determined that asset values are not recoverable. Fair value is estimated relating to impairment assessments based upon an income capitalization approach (which considers prevailing market capitalization rates and operations of the community) or the negotiated sales price, if applicable. Based upon the inputs used to value properties under the income capitalization approach, valuations under this method are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. For the communities for which the estimated fair value was based on negotiated sales prices, the valuation is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. One non-financial asset was impaired during the year ended December 31, 2016 and has remained on the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 . The asset was written down to $17.5 million and the valuation was classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. As discussed in Note 11, interest rate swaps are used to manage interest rate risk. 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 and implied volatilities. 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. To comply with the provisions of ASC 820, credit valuation adjustments are incorporated to appropriately reflect both nonperformance risk and the respective counterparty’s nonperformance risk in the fair value measurements. In adjusting the fair value of the derivative contracts for the effect of nonperformance risk, the Trust has considered the impact of netting and any applicable credit enhancements, such as collateral postings, thresholds, mutual puts and guarantees. Although the Trust has determined that 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 itself and its counterparties. The Trust has determined that the significance of the impact of the credit valuation adjustments made to its derivative contracts, which determination was based on the fair value of each individual contract, was not significant to the overall valuation. As a result, all derivatives held as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 were classified as Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The Trust determined that the contingent consideration recognized in connection with the acquisition of the Hub at Madison (see Note 3) is a recurring fair value adjustment. The determination of fair value was based on a Monte Carlo simulation analysis of the potential payout. As the performance period extends over two years, it is expected that the fair value will be adjusted at each reporting date. The estimated range of final payout is currently estimated to be $0.0 million to $4.5 million . The Trust did not record an adjustment during the three months ended March 31, 2017 . The Trust has determined that the inputs used to value the contingent consideration fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, as such represent unobservable inputs. In connection with the acquisition of Urbane (see Note 3), the Trust is obligated to pay the seller contingent consideration of up to $1.5 million if certain performance conditions are met for the 2017/2018 lease year. Conversely, if the operating performance of the property does not achieve certain performance metrics, the seller is required to reimburse the Trust for up to $1.5 million of the purchase price. Subsequent to the initial valuation and based on the current assessment of the probability of achieving the performance metrics as of March 31, 2017 , a $0.5 million adjustment was recorded and is reflected in other expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Trust determined that this measurement is a recurring fair value adjustment and will adjust the amount to fair value at each reporting date. The Trust has determined that the inputs used to value the contingent consideration fall within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy, as such represent unobservable inputs. Redeemable noncontrolling interests in the Trust (OP Units and University Towers Operating Partnership Units) have a redemption feature and are marked to their redemption value. The redemption value is based on the fair value of EdR's common stock on the redemption date, adjusted for certain items. As the valuation is based on adjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date, these instruments are classified in Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy. The table below presents the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall and summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Carrying value Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 March 31, 2017: Derivative financial instruments (liability position) $ 2,486 $ — $ 2,486 $ — Deferred compensation plan assets $ 669 $ 669 $ — $ — Contingent consideration $ 3,750 $ — $ — $ 3,750 Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value: OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units $ 8,529 $ — $ 8,529 $ — Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions $ 37,102 $ — $ 31,947 $ — December 31, 2016: Derivative financial instruments (liability position) $ 3,564 $ — $ 3,564 $ — Deferred compensation plan assets $ 503 $ 503 $ — $ — Contingent consideration liability $ 3,250 $ — $ — $ 3,250 Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value: OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units $ 9,361 $ — $ 9,361 $ — Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions $ 29,588 $ — $ 29,588 $ — The table below shows the reconciliation of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): Fair value, December 31, 2016 $ 3,250 Purchases, issuances and settlements, net — Adjustment of fair value during period 500 Transfers into Level 3 — Fair value, March 31, 2017 $ 3,750 Financial assets and liabilities that are not measured at fair value in our condensed consolidated financial statements include mezzanine notes receivable and debt. Estimates of the fair values of these instruments are based on assessments of available market information and valuation methodologies, including discounted cash flow analyses. Due to the fact that the Trust's unsecured revolving credit facility, unsecured term loan facility and construction loan bears interest at variable rates, carrying value approximates the fair value. The table below summarizes the gross carrying amounts and fair values of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 Carrying value Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Notes receivable $ 500 $ — $ 453 $ — Senior unsecured notes 250,000 — 254,424 — Unsecured revolving credit facility 260,000 — 260,000 — Unsecured term loan facility 187,500 — 187,500 — Variable rate construction loan 29,776 — 29,776 — December 31, 2016 Carrying value Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Notes receivable $ 500 $ — $ 450 $ — Senior unsecured notes 250,000 — 246,305 — Unsecured revolving credit facility 20,000 — 20,000 — Unsecured term loan facility 187,500 — 187,500 — Variable rate mortgage and construction loans 62,576 — 62,576 — The Trust discloses the fair value of financial instruments for which it is practicable to estimate. The Trust considers the carrying amounts of cash and cash equivalents, restricted cash, student contracts receivable, accounts payable and accrued expenses to approximate fair value due to the short maturity of these instruments.

Segments

Segments	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segments	Segments The Trust defines business segments by their distinct customer base and service provided. The Trust has identified three reportable segments: collegiate housing leasing, development consulting services and management services. Management evaluates each segment’s performance based on net operating income, which is defined as income before depreciation, amortization, ground leases, impairment losses, interest expense (income), gains (losses) on extinguishment of debt, equity in earnings of unconsolidated entities and noncontrolling interests. The accounting policies of the reportable segments are the same as those described in the summary of significant accounting policies. Intercompany fees are reflected at the contractually stipulated amounts. The following table represents the Trust’s segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Collegiate Housing Leasing: Collegiate housing leasing revenue $ 80,785 $ 70,183 Collegiate housing leasing operations 28,877 24,889 Net operating income $ 51,908 $ 45,294 Total segment assets at end of period (1) $ 2,653,399 $ 1,959,749 Development Consulting Services: Third-party development consulting services $ 1,815 $ 483 General and administrative (3) 541 686 Net operating income (loss) $ 1,274 $ (203 ) Total segment assets at end of period (2) $ 7,430 $ 4,671 Management Services: Third-party management services $ 945 $ 894 General and administrative (3) 536 574 Net operating income $ 409 $ 320 Total segment assets at end of period (2) $ 8,743 $ 11,607 Reconciliations: Segment revenue $ 83,545 $ 71,560 Operating expense reimbursements 2,253 1,819 Total segment revenues $ 85,798 $ 73,379 Segment operating expenses $ 29,954 $ 26,149 Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Reimbursable operating expenses 2,253 1,819 Total segment operating expenses $ 32,207 $ 27,968 Segment net operating income $ 53,591 $ 45,411 Other unallocated general and administrative expenses (4) (5,251 ) (4,370 ) Depreciation and amortization (25,839 ) (17,516 ) Ground lease (3,560 ) (3,309 ) Nonoperating income (expenses) (3,439 ) (14,989 ) Other operating expense (500 ) — Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities 255 (244 ) Income before income taxes and gain on sale of collegiate housing properties $ 15,257 $ 4,983 (1) The increase in segment assets related to the collegiate housing segment during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 is primarily related to the completed development of four collegiate housing communities, six property acquisitions and the continued development of fifteen assets under development for ownership by the Trust offset by the sale of two collegiate housing communities. (2) Total segment assets include goodwill of $2,149 related to management services and $921 related to development consulting services. (3) General and administrative expenses for the development consulting services and management services segments represent those expenses that are directly attributable to these segments and also include an allocation of corporate general and administrative expenses based on the extent of effort or resources expended. (4) Other unallocated general and administrative expenses includes costs directly attributable to our owned developments and corporate general and administrative expenses that are not allocated to any of the segments.

Subsequent events

Subsequent events	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Subsequent Events [Abstract]
Subsequent events	Subsequent events On April 17, 2017 , the Board declared a first quarter distribution of $0.38 per share of common stock and OP Unit for the quarter ended March 31, 2017 . The distributions will be paid on May 15, 2017 to stockholders and unitholders of record at the close of business on April 28, 2017 . In April 2017, the Trust entered into a binding agreement to sell The Reserve on Stinson, a 612 -bed community serving the University of Oklahoma, for $18.2 million . The sale is anticipated to close in June 2017.

Summary of significant accoun23

Summary of significant accounting policies (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Basis of presentation	Basis of presentation The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared on the accrual basis of accounting in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements of the Trust represent the assets and liabilities and operating results of the Trust and its majority owned subsidiaries. All intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Principles of Consolidation	Principles of consolidation The Trust evaluates its interest in partnerships, joint ventures and other similar entities under the variable interest entity (“VIE”) guidance. Under the VIE model, the Trust consolidates an entity when it has control to direct the activities of the VIE and where it is determined to be the primary beneficiary. If it is determined that the legal entity qualifies for a VIE scope exception or the legal entity is not subject to the VIE model, the voting interest model is applied. Under the voting interest model, the Trust consolidates an entity when it controls the entity through the ownership of a majority voting interest. All of the Trust's property ownership, development and related business operations are conducted through the Operating Partnership. See the assets and liabilities of the Operating Partnership in the accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements.
Interim Financial Information	Interim financial information The accompanying unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements include all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments that, in the opinion of management, are necessary for a fair presentation of the Trust's financial position, results of operations and cash flows for such periods. Because of the seasonal nature of the business, the operating results and cash flows are not necessarily indicative of results that may be expected for any other interim periods or for the full fiscal year. These financial statements should be read in conjunction with the Trust's consolidated financial statements and related notes included in the Trust's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016, as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") on February 28, 2017.
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 and disclosures of contingent assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the reporting periods. Actual results could differ from those estimates.
Collegiate housing properties	Collegiate housing properties Land, land improvements, buildings and improvements, and furniture, fixtures and equipment are recorded at cost. Buildings and improvements are depreciated over 15 to 40 years, land improvements are depreciated over 15 years and furniture, fixtures, and equipment are depreciated over 3 to 7 years. Depreciation is computed using the straight-line method for financial reporting purposes over the estimated useful life. The Trust capitalizes interest based on the weighted average interest cost of the total debt and internal development costs while developments are ongoing as assets under development. When the property opens, these costs, along with other direct costs of the development, are transferred into the applicable asset category and depreciation commences. Acquired collegiate housing communities’ results of operations are included in the Trust’s results of operations from the respective dates of acquisition. Appraisals, estimates of cash flows and other valuation techniques are used to allocate the purchase price of acquired property between land, land improvements, buildings and improvements, furniture, fixtures and equipment and identifiable intangibles, such as amounts related to in-place leases. Acquisition costs are expensed as incurred for acquisitions completed prior to the adoption of Accounting Standards Update ("ASU") 2017-01, "Business Combinations (Topic 805): Clarifying the Definition of a Business" ("ASU 2017-01") and are included in general and administrative expenses in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. The Trust adopted ASU 2017-01 prospectively on January 1, 2017. Acquisition costs have been capitalized for subsequent acquisitions that are not deemed to be business combinations. Management assesses impairment of long-lived assets to be held and used whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of an asset may not be recoverable. Management uses an estimate of future undiscounted cash flows of the related asset based on its intended use to determine whether the carrying value is recoverable. If the Trust determines that the carrying value of an asset is not recoverable, the fair value of the asset is estimated and an impairment loss is recorded to the extent the carrying value exceeds estimated fair value. Management estimates fair value using discounted cash flow models, market appraisals if available, and other market participant data. During the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , there were no impairment losses recognized. When a collegiate housing community has met the criteria to be classified as held for sale, the fair value less cost to sell such asset is estimated. If the fair value less cost to sell the asset is less than the carrying amount of the asset, an impairment charge is recorded for the estimated loss. Depreciation expense is no longer recorded once a collegiate housing community has met the held for sale criteria. Dispositions that represent a strategic shift in the business will qualify for treatment as discontinued operations. The property disposition during the three months ended March 31, 2016 did not qualify for treatment as discontinued operations and, as a result, the operations of the property are included in continuing operations in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income. During August 2016, the Trust committed and finalized plans to demolish and redevelop Players Club, an off-campus community that serves Florida State University. Depreciation estimates were revised to reflect the shortened remaining useful life. The Trust recorded $1.7 million of accelerated depreciation during the three months ended March 31, 2017 related to the change in estimate. The impact on net income attributable to EdR common stockholders per share - basic and diluted for the three months ending March 31, 2017 is $0.02 . The Trust estimates recording accelerated depreciation of $1.3 million in the three months ending June 30, 2017.
Redeemable noncontrolling interests (the Trust) / redeemable limited partners (EROP)	Redeemable noncontrolling interests (the Trust) / redeemable limited partners (EROP) The Trust follows the guidance issued by the Financial Accounting Standards Board ("FASB") regarding the classification and measurement of redeemable securities. The Trust classifies redeemable noncontrolling interests, which include redeemable interests in consolidated joint ventures with puts exercisable by the joint venture partners and units of limited partnership interest in University Towers Operating Partnership, LP and in the Operating Partnership in the mezzanine section of the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The Trust accounts for certain noncontrolling interests with embedded put and call features with fixed exercise prices and exercise dates as a financing arrangement, and these amounts are recorded as accrued liabilities in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets. The liability is initially measured at present value of the fixed price settlement amount. Subsequently, the liability is accreted to the fixed price over the term of the contract, with the resulting expense recognized as interest expense. The Trust also has certain noncontrolling interests with put options at substantially fixed prices. These noncontrolling interests are accounted for as noncontrolling interests redeemable at other than fair value. The Trust accounts for the change in redemption value through the use of an accretion model from the date of inception to the expected redemption date. Changes in redemption value are recorded in equity, either through retained earnings or additional paid-in capital (absent any retained earnings). The impact of the changes in redemption value (accretion) is included in earnings per share using the two-class method. In the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets of the Operating Partnership, the redeemable units of limited partnership in the Operating Partnership are classified as redeemable limited partners, and the redeemable interests in consolidated joint ventures with puts exercisable by the joint venture partners and units of limited partnership interest in University Towers Operating Partnership, LP are classified as redeemable noncontrolling interests. The redeemable noncontrolling interest units / redeemable limited partner units are adjusted to the greater of carrying value or fair market value based on the price per share of EdR's common stock or redemption value at the end of each respective reporting period.
Common stock issuances and offering costs	Common stock issuances and offering costs Specific incremental costs directly attributable to the issuance of EdR common stock are charged against the gross proceeds of the related issuance. Accordingly, underwriting commissions and other stock issuance costs are reflected as a reduction of additional paid-in capital in the accompanying condensed consolidated statements of changes in equity. The Trust is structured as an umbrella partnership REIT ("UPREIT") and contributes all proceeds from its various equity offerings to EROP. For every one share of common stock offered and sold by EdR for cash, EdR must contribute the net proceeds to EROP and, in return, EROP will issue one OP Unit to EdR.
Income taxes	Income taxes EdR qualifies as a REIT under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the "Code"). EdR is generally not subject to federal, state and local income taxes on any of its taxable income that it distributes if it distributes at least 90% of its REIT taxable income for each tax year to its stockholders and meets certain other requirements. If EdR fails to qualify as a REIT for any taxable year, EdR will be subject to federal, state and local income taxes (including any applicable alternative minimum tax) on its taxable income. The Trust has elected to treat certain of its subsidiaries, including the Management Company, as TRSs. A TRS is subject to federal, state and local income taxes. The Management Company provides management services and through the Development Company, provides development services, which if directly provided by the Trust would jeopardize EdR’s REIT status. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recognized based on the difference between the financial statement carrying amounts of existing assets and liabilities and their respective tax basis. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are measured using enacted tax rates in effect in the years in which those temporary differences are expected to reverse. The Trust had $0.9 million of unrecognized tax benefits as of March 31, 2017 . There was no unrecognized tax benefits as of December 31, 2016 . The Trust and its subsidiaries file federal and state income tax returns. As of March 31, 2017 , open tax years generally included tax years for 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2016. The Trust’s policy is to include interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits in general and administrative expenses. For each of the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 , the Trust had no interest or penalties recorded related to unrecognized tax benefits.
Goodwill and other intangible assets	Goodwill and other intangible assets Goodwill is tested annually for impairment as of December 31, and is tested for impairment more frequently if events and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of the assets might be impaired. An impairment loss is recognized to the extent that the carrying amount exceeds the asset’s fair value. The accumulated impairment loss recorded is $0.4 million . No additional impairment has been recorded through March 31, 2017 . The carrying value of goodwill was $3.1 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , of which $2.1 million was recorded on the management services segment and $0.9 million was recorded on the development consulting services segment. Goodwill is not subject to amortization. Other intangible assets generally include in-place leases acquired in connection with acquisitions of collegiate housing properties. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , in-place leases total $12.2 million and $7.4 million , respectively, and are being amortized over the life of the remaining lease term, which is generally less than one year. Amortization expense totaled $3.4 million and $0.1 million for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016, respectively. As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , accumulated amortization totaled $7.0 million and $3.6 million , respectively. The carrying value of other intangible assets was $5.2 million and $3.8 million as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , respectively.
Investment in unconsolidated entities	Investment in unconsolidated entities The Trust accounts for its investments in unconsolidated joint ventures using the equity method whereby the costs of an investment are adjusted for the Trust’s share of earnings of the respective investment reduced by distributions received. The earnings and distributions of the unconsolidated joint ventures are allocated based on each owner’s respective ownership interests. These investments are classified as other assets or accrued expenses, depending on whether the distributions exceed the Trust’s contributions and share of earnings in the joint ventures, in the accompanying condensed consolidated balance sheets (see Note 5).
Earnings per share	Earnings per share Earnings per Share - The Trust Basic earnings per share is calculated by dividing net income available to common stockholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests by weighted average shares of common stock outstanding, including outstanding units in the Operating Partnership designated as LTIP Units ("LTIP Units"). Diluted earnings per share is calculated similarly, except that it includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of potentially dilutive securities and the shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements using the treasury stock method. The Trust follows the authoritative guidance regarding the determination of whether certain instruments are participating securities. All unvested share-based payment awards that contain nonforfeitable rights to dividends or dividend equivalents are included in the computation of earnings per share under the two-class method. This results in shares of unvested restricted stock and LTIP Units being included in the computation of basic earnings per share for all periods presented. When noncontrolling interests are redeemable at other than fair value, increases or decreases in the carrying amount of the redeemable noncontrolling interests are reflected in earnings per share using the two-class method. Earnings per OP Unit - EROP Basic earnings per unit is calculated by dividing net income available to unitholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests by the weighted average number of OP Units and LTIP Units outstanding. Diluted earnings per unit is calculated similarly, except that it includes the dilutive effect of the assumed exercise of potentially dilutive securities and the shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements using the treasury stock method. EROP follows the authoritative guidance regarding the determination of whether certain instruments are participating securities.
Recent accounting pronouncements	Recent accounting pronouncements In January 2017, the FASB issued ASU 2017-01. The ASU is intended to provide a new framework for determining whether transactions should be accounted for as acquisitions (or disposals) of assets or businesses. Under the new guidance, companies are required to utilize an initial screening test to determine whether substantially all of the fair value of the gross assets acquired (or disposed of) is concentrated in a single identifiable asset or a group of similar identifiable assets; if so, the set is not a business. The Trust adopted this guidance effective January 1, 2017 on a prospective basis. The adoption resulted in treatment of the first quarter 2017 acquisitions as asset acquisitions, rather than business combinations, and capitalization of acquisition costs. It is expected that going forward, acquisitions of collegiate housing properties will be treated as asset acquisitions. In November 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-18, "Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Restricted Cash" ("ASU 2016-18"). ASU 2016-18 requires that a statement of cash flows explain the change during the period in the total of cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash. Therefore, amounts generally described as restricted cash should be included with cash and cash equivalents when reconciling the beginning of period and end of period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows, and transfers between cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash are no longer presented within the statement of cash flows. ASU 2016-18 is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within those fiscal years, with early adoption permitted. The Trust anticipates retrospectively adopting this guidance on January 1, 2018. The Trust's initial analysis indicates the adoption of this ASU will result in the change in restricted cash to no longer be presented in the statement of cash flows as an investing cash flow. In August 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-15, " Statement of Cash Flows (Topic 230): Classification of Certain Cash Receipts and Cash Payments " ("ASU 2016-15"). ASU 2016-15 addresses eight specific cash flow issues and intends to reduce the diversity in practice in how certain cash receipts and cash payments are presented and classified in the statement of cash flows and will be applied retrospectively. This guidance is effective for annual periods beginning after December 15, 2017, including interim periods within that reporting period, with early adoption permitted. The Trust adopted ASU 2016-15 effective January 1, 2017. As a result of this adoption, there was no impact to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for either period presented. In February 2016, the FASB issued ASU 2016-02, Leases (Topic 842) ("ASU 2016-02"), which requires a lessee to recognize in the statement of financial position a liability to make lease payments (the lease liability) and a right-of-use asset representing its right to use the underlying asset for the lease term. ASU 2016-02 is effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2018, and interim periods within those years, on a modified prospective basis. The Trust's primary revenue is collegiate housing rental income; as such, the Trust is a lessor on a significant number of leases. The Trust is continuing to evaluate the potential impact of the ASU and believes it will continue to account for its leases in substantially the same manner due to the short-term nature (less than 12 months) of the leases. The most significant change for the Trust relates to ground lease agreements, which could result in recording the right-of-use asset and related liability on the balance sheet. The Trust plans to adopt ASU 2016-02 effective January 1, 2019 and is continuing to evaluate and quantify the effect that ASU 2016-02 will have on its consolidated financial statements and related disclosures. In May 2014, the FASB issued ASU 2014-09, Revenue from Contracts with Customers (Topic 606) ("ASU 2014-09"), as amended by ASU 2015-04 to defer the effective date. The guidance outlines a single comprehensive model for entities to use in accounting for revenue arising from contracts with customers and supersedes most current revenue recognition guidance, including the guidance on real estate derecognition for most transactions. ASU 2014-09 provides that an entity should recognize revenue to depict the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods and services. ASU 2014-09 will be effective for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2017, and interim periods within those years and permits the use of either the retrospective or cumulative effect transition method. Early adoption is permitted for annual reporting periods beginning after December 15, 2016. Since the issuance of ASU 2014-09, the FASB has issued ASU 2016-08 that is intended to improve the understandability of the implementation guidance regarding principal versus agent considerations and has issued ASU 2016-10 to clarify the identification of performance obligations and the implementation guidance related to licensing. The effective dates of these amendments are the same as ASU 2014-09. The Trust's initial analysis of its non-lease related revenue contracts indicates the adoption of this ASU will not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements; however, the Trust is still in the process of evaluating this ASU.

Fair Value of Financial Instr24

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurement, Policy [Policy Text Block]	The fair value framework requires the categorization of assets and liabilities into three levels based upon the assumptions used to value the assets or liabilities. Level 1 provides the most reliable measure of fair value, whereas Level 3 generally requires significant management judgment. The three levels are defined in ASC 820, Fair Value Measurements and Disclosures ("ASC 820") as follows: • Level 1 - Unadjusted quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities at the measurement date. • Level 2 - Observable inputs other than those included in Level 1, for example, quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in inactive markets. • Level 3 - Unobservable inputs reflecting management's own assumption about the inputs used in pricing the asset or liability at the measurement date. Non-financial assets measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis consist of real estate assets and investments in partially owned entities that have been written-down to estimated fair value when it has been determined that asset values are not recoverable. Fair value is estimated relating to impairment assessments based upon an income capitalization approach (which considers prevailing market capitalization rates and operations of the community) or the negotiated sales price, if applicable. Based upon the inputs used to value properties under the income capitalization approach, valuations under this method are classified within Level 3 of the fair value hierarchy. For the communities for which the estimated fair value was based on negotiated sales prices, the valuation is classified within Level 2 of the fair value hierarchy.

Acquisition and development o25

Acquisition and development of real estate investments (Tables)	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Real Estate [Abstract]
Schedule of Business Acquisitions, by Acquisition	During the three months ended March 31, 2017 , the Trust completed the following two collegiate housing property acquisitions, which were determined to be asset acquisitions under ASU 2017-01: Name Primary University Served Acquisition Date # of Beds # of Units Contract Price (in thousands) Retreat at Corvallis Oregon State University, Oregon January 2017 1,016 330 $ 99,450 319 Bragg Auburn University, Alabama February 2017 305 86 $ 28,500	During the year ended December 31, 2016 , the Trust completed the following five collegiate housing property acquisitions: Name Primary University Served Acquisition Date # of Beds # of Units Contract Price (in thousands) Lokal Colorado State University, Colorado March 2016 194 79 $ 24,600 The Hub at Madison University of Wisconsin, Wisconsin May 2016 1,038 341 $ 188,500 Pura Vida Place Colorado State University, Colorado August 2016 100 52 $ 12,000 Carriage House Colorado State University, Colorado August 2016 94 54 $ 12,000 Urbane University of Arizona, Arizona September 2016 311 104 $ 50,000
Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed	Below is the allocation of the purchase price as of the date of the acquisition (in thousands): Retreat at Corvallis 319 Bragg Total Collegiate housing property $ 95,785 $ 27,475 $ 123,260 In-place leases 3,780 1,055 4,835 Other assets 617 2 619 Current liabilities (936 ) (131 ) (1,067 ) Total net assets acquired $ 99,246 $ 28,401 $ 127,647 Below is the allocation of the purchase price to the fair values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed as of the date of acquisition (in thousands): Lokal The Hub at Madison Pura Vida Place Carriage House Urbane Total Collegiate housing property 23,653 189,832 11,498 11,528 47,999 $ 284,510 In-place leases 849 3,588 502 472 1,984 7,395 Other assets 3 87 5 4 18 117 Current liabilities (148 ) (7,442 ) (144 ) (67 ) (584 ) (8,385 ) Total net assets acquired $ 24,357 $ 186,065 $ 11,861 $ 11,937 $ 49,417 $ 283,637
Acquisitions Revenue Net Income and Earnings Per Share of Combined Entity had Acquisition Date Been as of Beginning of Period	The unaudited pro forma information had the acquisition date for the 2016 acquisitions been January 1, 2015 is as follows and is not necessarily indicative of results that would have occurred or which may occur (in thousands, except per share and per unit amounts): Three months ended March 31, 2016 (1) 2015 (2) Total revenue attributable to the Trust and EROP (1) $ 76,758 $ 64,382 Net income attributable to the Trust (1) $ 17,190 $ 6,862 Net income per share attributable to common shareholders - basic and diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.14 Net income attributable to EROP (1) $ 17,251 $ 6,901 Net income per unit attributable to unitholders - basic and diluted $ 0.27 $ 0.14 (1) As Urbane first opened for the 2016/2017 lease year (September 2016), supplemental pro forma revenue and net income information is not included for either period presented above. (2) As the Lokal, the Hub at Madison and Carriage House first opened for the 2015/2016 lease year (August 2015), supplemental pro forma revenue and net income information is not included for the period January 1, 2015 - March 31, 2015.
Development of Collegiate Housing Properties	The costs incurred to date for the Trust's owned communities represent the balance capitalized in collegiate housing properties, net as of December 31, 2016 (dollars in thousands): Name Primary University Served Bed Count Costs Incurred as of December 31, 2016 Internal Development Costs Capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Three months ended March 31, 2016 Holmes Hall and Boyd Hall University of Kentucky 1,141 $ 85,691 $ 83 $ 633 Retreat at Blacksburg - Phase I & II Virginia Tech 829 64,549 32 208 Retreat at Oxford - Phase II University of Mississippi 350 26,745 21 195 Total 2,320 $ 176,985 $ 136 $ 1,036 The following represents a summary of active developments as of March 31, 2017 , including internal development costs and interest costs capitalized (dollars in thousands): Name Primary University Served Bed Count Costs Incurred as of March 31, 2017 Internal Development Costs Capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Internal Development Costs Capitalized Interest Costs Capitalized Three months ended March 31, 2017 Three months ended March 31, 2016 University Flats University of Kentucky 771 $ 65,490 $ 8 $ 638 $ 60 $ 117 Lewis Hall University of Kentucky 346 23,304 108 173 71 2 Boise State University Boise State University 656 28,345 56 217 52 9 SkyVue Michigan State University 824 73,277 39 655 85 132 The Local: Downtown Texas State University 304 23,712 31 161 74 83 Avid Square Oklahoma State University 475 29,107 37 205 — — The Woods Northern Michigan University 1,200 22,991 78 146 — — Maplewood Cornell University 872 4,604 124 32 — — University of Pittsburgh University of Pittsburgh 723 26,986 25 178 — — Players Club Redevelopment Florida State University 592 977 13 10 — — Hale Mahana University of Hawai'i 599 27,379 39 262 — — Hub at Minneapolis University of Minnesota 707 19,104 18 20 — — Arizona State University Arizona State University 857 36,491 58 260 — — Iowa State University Iowa State University 537 10,382 38 10 — — Colorado State University Colorado State University 229 2,757 22 22 — — Total active projects under development 9,692 $ 394,906 $ 694 $ 2,989 $ 342 $ 343

Investments in unconsolidated26

Investments in unconsolidated entities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Results of Operations of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships	The following is a summary of the results of operations related to the unconsolidated joint ventures for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (unaudited, in thousands): Results of Operations of Unconsolidated Entities: For the three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Revenues $ 5,609 $ 7,415 Net income (1) $ 455 $ 14 Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities $ 255 $ (244 ) (1) Net income for the period ended March 31, 2017 equals income from continuing operations.

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Mortgage and Construction Notes Payable	The following table reconciles the carrying amount of mortgage and construction notes payable, net of unamortized deferred financing costs, for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and the year ended December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Balance, beginning of period $ 62,520 $ 204,511 Additions to principal 146 40,974 Repayments of principal (32,950 ) (183,862 ) Amortization of debt premium — (49 ) Write-off of debt premium related to debt pay off — (523 ) (Increase) decrease in deferred financing costs, net 60 1,469 Balance, end of period $ 29,776 $ 62,520 As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , mortgage and construction notes payable consist of the following, which were secured by the underlying collegiate housing properties (dollars in thousands): Outstanding Balance at Property March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Interest Rate at March 31, 2017 Interest Rate Type Maturity Date University Towers — 32,950 n/a Variable 7/1/2017 Mortgage Debt — 32,950 n/a The Oaks on the Square - Phase IV 29,776 29,626 2.79 % Variable 10/20/2017 Construction Loans 29,776 29,626 2.79 % Total mortgage and construction debt / weighted average rate 29,776 62,576 2.79 % Unamortized deferred financing costs — (56 ) Total net of unamortized deferred financing costs 29,776 62,520 Less current portion, net of unamortized deferred financing costs (29,776 ) (62,520 ) Total mortgage and construction debt, net of current portion $ — $ —
Scheduled Maturities of Outstanding Mortgage and Construction Indebtedness	The scheduled maturities of outstanding indebtedness as of March 31, 2017 are as follows (in thousands): Year 2017 (nine months ending December 31, 2017) $ 29,776 2018 260,000 2019 — 2020 — 2021 122,500 2022 65,000 Thereafter 250,000 Total 727,276 Unamortized deferred financing costs (3,178 ) Outstanding as of March 31, 2017, net of unamortized deferred financing costs $ 724,098

Commitments and contingencies (

Commitments and contingencies (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Guaranties	The following summarizes the Operating Partnership's exposure under such guaranties (dollars in thousands): March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Joint Venture Balance Operating Partnership's Proportionate Interest Joint Venture Balance Operating Partnership's Proportionate Interest Ownership Percent Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee Loan Balance Partial Repayment Guarantee University Village - Greensboro 25 % $ 22,835 n/a $ 5,709 n/a $ 22,934 n/a $ 5,734 n/a The Marshall 50 % 55,618 8,767 27,809 4,384 55,838 8,767 27,919 4,384 Georgia Heights 50 % 34,961 7,230 17,481 3,615 34,914 7,230 17,457 3,615

Noncontrolling Interests (Table

Noncontrolling Interests (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Noncontrolling Interest [Abstract]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interests	The following table sets forth activity with the redeemable noncontrolling interests for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Beginning balance $ 32,160 $ 5,248 Net income (loss) (27 ) 135 Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests 7,131 — Adjustments to report redeemable noncontrolling interests at fair value (137 ) 140 Purchase and return of equity to noncontrolling partner's interest — (2,910 ) Distributions (25 ) (51 ) Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests 483 — Ending balance $ 39,585 $ 2,562 Below is a table summarizing the activity of redeemable limited partner units for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Beginning balance $ 6,789 $ 8,312 Net income 35 58 Distributions (61 ) (149 ) Reclassification of vested LTIP Units to redeemable limited partner 522 244 Redemption of redeemable partner units in exchange for common stock or redemption into cash (1,138 ) (938 ) Adjustments to report redeemable limited partner units at fair value (101 ) 587 Ending balance $ 6,046 $ 8,114

Equity (Tables)

Equity (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Equity [Abstract]
Schedule of Forward Contracts Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Table Text Block]	At March 31, 2017 , a summary of the outstanding Forward Agreements is set forth in the table below (shares in thousands): Date of Forward Agreement Shares Sold Volume Weighted Average Sale Price Per Share Initial Forward Price (1) Final Settlement Date (2) August 2, 2016 273 $ 47.93 $ 47.33 December 29, 2017 August 8, 2016 550 46.86 46.28 December 29, 2017 August 15, 2016 185 46.55 45.97 December 29, 2017 August 22, 2016 213 45.59 45.02 December 29, 2017 August 29, 2016 3,323 43.36 42.82 December 29, 2017 October 3, 2016 2,408 41.00 40.51 December 29, 2017 February 28, 2017 361 41.55 41.14 December 31, 2018 7,313 $ 43.07 $ 42.64 (1) The initial forward price under each Forward Agreement is equal to 99.00% of the volume weighted average price at which the shares of EdR common stock are sold by the applicable forward seller as adjusted to reflect changes in the federal funds rate and to account for dividends paid to holders of EdR common stock. The initial forward prices presented in this table are for illustrative purposes only as the actual amount of proceeds per share to be received by the Trust upon settlement will be determined on the applicable settlement date based on adjustments made to the initial forward price to reflect the then-current federal funds rate and the amount of dividends paid to holders of EdR common stock over the term of the Forward Agreement. (2) Represents the final date on which shares sold under each Forward Agreement may be settled.

Incentive plans (Tables)

Incentive plans (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Disclosure of Compensation Related Costs, Share-based Payments [Abstract]
Stock Based Incentive Plan Activity	A summary of the stock-based incentive plan activity as of and for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 is as follows: Restricted Stock Awards Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per Restricted Stock Award RSU Awards Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per RSU LTIP Units Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value Per LTIP Unit Outstanding as of December 31, 2015 25,569 (1) $ 28.32 146,911 $ 20.58 155,774 $ 18.83 Granted — — — — 131,745 26.20 Vested (10,199 ) 31.92 (10,776 ) 22.95 (7,067 ) 18.83 Surrendered (7,508 ) 31.92 (43,596 ) 22.95 — — Outstanding as of March 31, 2016 7,862 (1) $ 26.46 92,539 $ 19.20 280,452 $ 22.29 Outstanding as of December 31, 2016 7,799 (1) $ 26.46 91,756 $ 19.20 280,452 $ 22.29 Granted — — — — 146,728 25.85 Vested (4,516 ) 26.46 (53,131 ) 19.20 (14,385 ) 36.30 Surrendered (3,283 ) 26.46 (38,625 ) 19.20 — — Outstanding as of March 31, 2017 — $ — — $ — 412,795 $ 22.80 (1) Represents unvested shares of restricted stock awards as of the date indicated.

Derivatives and hedging activ32

Derivatives and hedging activities (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Derivative Instruments and Hedging Activities Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of fair value of Derivatives and Forward-Starting Interest Rate	As of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 , the fair value of the derivatives and the forward-starting interest rate swaps is as follows (in thousands): Asset Derivatives Liability Derivatives Derivatives designated as hedging instruments Balance Sheet Location March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Balance Sheet Location March 31, 2017 December 31, 2016 Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Fair Value Interest rate contracts Other assets $ 165 $ — Accounts payable and accrued expenses $ 2,651 $ 3,564 Total derivatives designated as hedging instruments $ 165 $ — $ 2,651 $ 3,564
Schedule of Fair Value Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location	The following table discloses the effect of the derivative instruments on the condensed consolidated statements of income and comprehensive income for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Derivatives in Cash Flow Hedging Relationships Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion) Location of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) Amount of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion) 2017 Interest rate contracts $ 304 Interest expense $ (609 ) 2017 Forward-starting interest rate contracts $ 165 Interest expense $ — 2016 Interest rate contracts $ (4,229 ) Interest expense $ (782 )

Earnings Per Share (Tables)

Earnings Per Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted	The following is a summary of the components used in calculating earnings per share for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars and shares/units in thousands, except per share data): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per share: Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 16,157 $ 16,669 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests (483 ) — Net income attributable to common shareholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 15,674 $ 16,669 Denominator: Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 73,510 62,677 OP Units 154 (1 ) 217 (1 ) University Towers Operating Partnership Units 69 69 Shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements 42 — Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding 73,775 62,963 Earnings per share – basic: Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 0.21 $ 0.27 Earnings per share – diluted: Net income attributable to common shareholders $ 0.21 $ 0.26 Distributions declared per common share $ 0.38 $ 0.37 (1) Includes the impact of weighted average number of OP Units outstanding during the period. Earnings per Unit - EROP The following is a summary of the components used in calculating earnings per unit for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (dollars and shares/units in thousands, except per unit data): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per unit: Net income attributable to unitholders $ 16,192 $ 16,727 Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests (483 ) — Net income attributable to common unitholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests $ 15,709 $ 16,727 Denominator: Weighted average units outstanding 73,159 62,429 Redeemable Operating Partnership units 154 (1) 217 (1 ) LTIP units 351 248 Weighted average units outstanding - basic 73,664 62,894 Redeemable University Towers Operating Partnership Units 69 69 Units issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements 42 — Weighted average units outstanding – diluted 73,775 62,963 Earnings per unit – basic and diluted: Net income attributable to unitholders $ 0.21 $ 0.27 Distributions declared per unit $ 0.38 $ 0.37 (1) Includes the impact of weighted average number of OP Units outstanding during the period.

Fair Value of Financial Instr34

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Schedule of Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The table below presents the assets and liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis, aggregated by the level in the fair value hierarchy within which those measurements fall and summarizes the carrying amounts and fair values of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): Carrying value Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 March 31, 2017: Derivative financial instruments (liability position) $ 2,486 $ — $ 2,486 $ — Deferred compensation plan assets $ 669 $ 669 $ — $ — Contingent consideration $ 3,750 $ — $ — $ 3,750 Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value: OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units $ 8,529 $ — $ 8,529 $ — Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions $ 37,102 $ — $ 31,947 $ — December 31, 2016: Derivative financial instruments (liability position) $ 3,564 $ — $ 3,564 $ — Deferred compensation plan assets $ 503 $ 503 $ — $ — Contingent consideration liability $ 3,250 $ — $ — $ 3,250 Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value: OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units $ 9,361 $ — $ 9,361 $ — Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions $ 29,588 $ — $ 29,588 $ —
Schedule of Carrying Values and Estimated Fair Values of Debt Instruments	The table below summarizes the gross carrying amounts and fair values of these financial instruments as of March 31, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (in thousands): March 31, 2017 Carrying value Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Notes receivable $ 500 $ — $ 453 $ — Senior unsecured notes 250,000 — 254,424 — Unsecured revolving credit facility 260,000 — 260,000 — Unsecured term loan facility 187,500 — 187,500 — Variable rate construction loan 29,776 — 29,776 — December 31, 2016 Carrying value Estimated Fair Value Level 1 Level 2 Level 3 Notes receivable $ 500 $ — $ 450 $ — Senior unsecured notes 250,000 — 246,305 — Unsecured revolving credit facility 20,000 — 20,000 — Unsecured term loan facility 187,500 — 187,500 — Variable rate mortgage and construction loans 62,576 — 62,576 —
Schedule of Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis	The table below shows the reconciliation of Level 3 liabilities measured at fair value on a recurring basis (in thousands): Fair value, December 31, 2016 $ 3,250 Purchases, issuances and settlements, net — Adjustment of fair value during period 500 Transfers into Level 3 — Fair value, March 31, 2017 $ 3,750

Segments (Tables)

Segments (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Segment Information	The following table represents the Trust’s segment information for the three months ended March 31, 2017 and 2016 (in thousands): Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Collegiate Housing Leasing: Collegiate housing leasing revenue $ 80,785 $ 70,183 Collegiate housing leasing operations 28,877 24,889 Net operating income $ 51,908 $ 45,294 Total segment assets at end of period (1) $ 2,653,399 $ 1,959,749 Development Consulting Services: Third-party development consulting services $ 1,815 $ 483 General and administrative (3) 541 686 Net operating income (loss) $ 1,274 $ (203 ) Total segment assets at end of period (2) $ 7,430 $ 4,671 Management Services: Third-party management services $ 945 $ 894 General and administrative (3) 536 574 Net operating income $ 409 $ 320 Total segment assets at end of period (2) $ 8,743 $ 11,607 Reconciliations: Segment revenue $ 83,545 $ 71,560 Operating expense reimbursements 2,253 1,819 Total segment revenues $ 85,798 $ 73,379 Segment operating expenses $ 29,954 $ 26,149 Three months ended March 31, 2017 2016 Reimbursable operating expenses 2,253 1,819 Total segment operating expenses $ 32,207 $ 27,968 Segment net operating income $ 53,591 $ 45,411 Other unallocated general and administrative expenses (4) (5,251 ) (4,370 ) Depreciation and amortization (25,839 ) (17,516 ) Ground lease (3,560 ) (3,309 ) Nonoperating income (expenses) (3,439 ) (14,989 ) Other operating expense (500 ) — Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities 255 (244 ) Income before income taxes and gain on sale of collegiate housing properties $ 15,257 $ 4,983 (1) The increase in segment assets related to the collegiate housing segment during the three months ended March 31, 2017 as compared to the same period in 2016 is primarily related to the completed development of four collegiate housing communities, six property acquisitions and the continued development of fifteen assets under development for ownership by the Trust offset by the sale of two collegiate housing communities. (2) Total segment assets include goodwill of $2,149 related to management services and $921 related to development consulting services. (3) General and administrative expenses for the development consulting services and management services segments represent those expenses that are directly attributable to these segments and also include an allocation of corporate general and administrative expenses based on the extent of effort or resources expended. (4) Other unallocated general and administrative expenses includes costs directly attributable to our owned developments and corporate general and administrative expenses that are not allocated to any of the segments.

Organization and description 36

Organization and description of business - Additional Information (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jul. 12, 2004
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Common stock, shares authorized (shares)	200,000,000	200,000,000	200,000,000
Preferred stock, shares authorized (shares)	50,000,000	50,000,000	50,000,000
Common stock, par value per share (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
Preferred stock, par value per share (usd per share)	$ 0.01	$ 0.01	$ 0.01
General partner ownership interest (less than)	1.00%

Summary of Significant Accoun37

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Collegiate Housing Properties (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2017	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Loss on impairment of collegiate housing properties		$ 0	$ 0
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		15 years
Building and Building Improvements [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		40 years
Land Improvements [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		15 years
Furniture Fixtures And Equipment [Member] | Minimum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		3 years
Furniture Fixtures And Equipment [Member] | Maximum [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Property, Plant and Equipment, Useful Life		7 years
Other Restructuring [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Players Club [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Accelerated Depreciation		$ 1,700,000
Earnings Per Share, Basic and Diluted		$ 0.02
Other Restructuring [Member] | Scenario, Forecast [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Players Club [Member]
Property, Plant and Equipment [Line Items]
Restructuring and Related Cost, Accelerated Depreciation	$ 1,300,000

Summary of Significant Accoun38

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Accounting Policies [Abstract]
Minimum Percentage Of Taxable Income Distribution To Shareholders	90.00%
Unrecognized Tax Benefits	$ 936,900		$ 0
Unrecognized Tax Benefits, Income Tax Penalties and Interest Expense	$ 0	$ 0

Summary of Significant Accoun39

Summary of Significant Accounting Policies - Goodwill and Other Intangible Assets (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2008
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill, Impaired, Accumulated Impairment Loss				$ 400,000
Goodwill, Impairment Loss	$ 0
Goodwill	3,100,000		$ 3,100,000
Other Intangible Assets, Net	5,200,000		3,800,000
Finite-Lived Intangible Asset, Acquired-in-Place Leases	12,200,000		7,400,000
Amortization of Intangible Assets	3,400,000	$ 100,000
Deferred Costs, Leasing, Accumulated Amortization	7,000,000		3,600,000
Management Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	2,149,000		2,100,000
Development Consulting Services [Member] | Operating Segments [Member]
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 921,000		$ 900,000

Acquisition and development o40

Acquisition and development of real estate investments - Additional Information (Details)	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)property	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)bedproperty
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 85,798,000	$ 73,379,000
Number Of Beds | bed			2,320
Number of properties acquired (properties) | property	2		5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 123,260,000		$ 284,510,000
Current liabilities assumed	(1,067,000)		(8,385,000)
Assets	2,719,848,000		2,506,185,000
Liabilities	884,817,000		665,795,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	45,615,000	37,550,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill	4,835,000		7,395,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets	619,000		117,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	500,000	0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low	0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	4,500,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	16,157,000	16,669,000
The Hub at Tucson
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	1,500,000		$ 1,000,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	1,500,000
The Hub at University of Wisconsin [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | bed			341
Number Of Beds | bed			1,038
Contract Price			$ 188,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			189,832,000
Current liabilities assumed			(7,442,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill			3,588,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets			87,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability			5,300,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration			3,100,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability, Current	2,300,000		$ 2,300,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, Low	0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	4,500,000
Pura Vida Place [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | bed			52
Number Of Beds | bed			100
Contract Price			$ 12,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			11,498,000
Current liabilities assumed			(144,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill			502,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets			5,000
2017 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital and other assets acquired but not part of the contractual purchase price	300,000
Contract Price	128,000,000
The Hub at Tucson
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			47,999,000
Current liabilities assumed			(584,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill			1,984,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets			18,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration, Liability	500,000
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	1,500,000
Payments to Acquire Businesses and Interest in Affiliates			10,000,000
Payment For Advances To Settler			23,600,000
Liability For The Fixed Price Settlement Amount			$ 14,900,000
Carriage House [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | bed			54
Number Of Beds | bed			94
Contract Price			$ 12,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment			11,528,000
Current liabilities assumed			(67,000)
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill			472,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets			4,000
Partnership Interest [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Revenues	85,798,000	73,379,000
Assets	2,719,848,000		2,506,185,000
Liabilities	884,817,000		$ 665,795,000
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	45,615,000	37,550,000
Change in fair value of contingent consideration	500,000	0
Business Combination, Contingent Consideration Arrangements, Range of Outcomes, Value, High	1,500,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 16,192,000	$ 16,727,000

Acquisition and development o41

Acquisition and development of real estate investments - Collegiate Housing Community Acquisitions (Details)	3 Months Ended			12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)bedproperty	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)$ / shares	Mar. 31, 2015USD ($)$ / shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)bedproperty
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Number Of Properties Acquired | property	2			5
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	$ 123,260,000			$ 284,510,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill	4,835,000			7,395,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets	619,000			117,000
Current liabilities	(1,067,000)			$ (8,385,000)
Number Of Beds | bed				2,320
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	45,615,000	$ 37,550,000
Contingent consideration paid subsequent to acquisition	(500,000)	0
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, low value	0
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, high value	4,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	127,647,000			$ 283,637,000
2017 Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital and other assets acquired but not part of the contractual purchase price	300,000
Contract Price	128,000,000
The Lokal [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment				23,653,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill				849,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets				3,000
Current liabilities				$ (148,000)
Acquisition Date				2016-03
Number Of Beds | bed				194
Number of units (units) | bed				79
Contract Price				$ 24,600,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net				24,357,000
Retreat at Corvallis [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	95,785,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill	3,780,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets	617,000
Current liabilities	$ (936,000)
Acquisition Date	2017-01
Number Of Beds | bed	1,016
Number of units (units) | bed	330
Contract Price	$ 99,450,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	99,246,000
2016 Acquisitions
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Working capital and other assets acquired but not part of the contractual purchase price		3,500,000
Contract Price		287,100,000
Twenty Sixteen Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue		76,758,000	$ 64,382,000
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)		$ 17,190,000	$ 6,862,000
Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted | $ / shares		$ 0.27	$ 0.14
319 Bragg
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment	27,475,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill	1,055,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets	2,000
Current liabilities	$ (131,000)
Acquisition Date	2017-02
Number Of Beds | bed	305
Number of units (units) | bed	86
Contract Price	$ 28,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net	28,401,000
The Hub at University of Wisconsin [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment				189,832,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill				3,588,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets				87,000
Current liabilities				$ (7,442,000)
Acquisition Date				2016-05
Number Of Beds | bed				1,038
Number of units (units) | bed				341
Contract Price				$ 188,500,000
Contingent consideration, liability				5,300,000
Contingent consideration paid subsequent to acquisition				(3,100,000)
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, low value	0
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, high value	4,500,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net				$ 186,065,000
The Hub at University of Arizona [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition Date				2016-09
Number Of Beds | bed				311
Number of units (units) | bed				104
Contract Price				$ 50,000,000
Carriage House [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment				11,528,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill				472,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets				4,000
Current liabilities				$ (67,000)
Acquisition Date				2016-08
Number Of Beds | bed				94
Number of units (units) | bed				54
Contract Price				$ 12,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net				11,937,000
Pura Vida Place [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Property, Plant, and Equipment				11,498,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Intangible Assets, Including Goodwill				502,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Financial Assets				5,000
Current liabilities				$ (144,000)
Acquisition Date				2016-08
Number Of Beds | bed				100
Number of units (units) | bed				52
Contract Price				$ 12,000,000
Business Combination, Recognized Identifiable Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed, Net				$ 11,861,000
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Operating Activities	45,615,000	$ 37,550,000
Contingent consideration paid subsequent to acquisition	(500,000)	0
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, high value	$ 1,500,000
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Twenty Sixteen Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Net Income (Loss)		$ 17,251,000	$ 6,901,000
Business Acquisitions Pro Forma Earnings Per Share Basic And Diluted | $ / shares		$ 0.27	$ 0.14

Acquisition and development o42

Acquisition and development of real estate investments - Fair Values of Assets Acquired and Liabilities Assumed (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Collegiate housing properties	$ 123,260	$ 284,510
In-place leases	4,835	7,395
Other assets	619	117
Current liabilities	(1,067)	(8,385)
Total net assets acquired	$ 127,647	283,637
The Lokal
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Collegiate housing properties		23,653
In-place leases		849
Other assets		3
Current liabilities		(148)
Total net assets acquired		24,357
The Hub at University of Wisconsin [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Collegiate housing properties		189,832
In-place leases		3,588
Other assets		87
Current liabilities		(7,442)
Total net assets acquired		186,065
Pura Vida Place [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Collegiate housing properties		11,498
In-place leases		502
Other assets		5
Current liabilities		(144)
Total net assets acquired		11,861
Carriage House [Member]
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Collegiate housing properties		11,528
In-place leases		472
Other assets		4
Current liabilities		(67)
Total net assets acquired		11,937
The Hub at Tucson
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Collegiate housing properties		47,999
In-place leases		1,984
Other assets		18
Current liabilities		(584)
Total net assets acquired		$ 49,417

Acquisition and development o43

Acquisition and development of real estate investments - Pro Forma Revenue and Net Loss of Combined Entity (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Mar. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues	$ 85,798,000	$ 73,379,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	16,157,000	16,669,000
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues	85,798,000	73,379,000
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent	$ 16,192,000	16,727,000
Twenty Sixteen Acquisitions [Member]
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Revenues		4,500
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Revenue		76,758,000	$ 64,382,000
Net income		$ 17,190,000	$ 6,862,000
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders - basic and diluted (usd per share)		$ 0.27	$ 0.14
Net Income (Loss) Attributable to Parent		$ 3,500
Twenty Sixteen Acquisitions [Member] | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Business Acquisition, Pro Forma Information, Nonrecurring Adjustment [Line Items]
Net income		$ 17,251,000	$ 6,901,000
Net income attributable to common shareholders/unitholders - basic and diluted (usd per share)		$ 0.27	$ 0.14

Acquisition and development o44

Acquisition and development of real estate investments - Development of collegiate housing properties (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)bed	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)bed
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed			2,320
Costs Incurred			$ 176,985
Internal Development Costs Capitalized		$ 136
Interest Costs Capitalized		1,036
Payments to noncontrolling interest		2,100
Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	9,692
Costs Incurred	$ 394,906
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	694	342
Interest Costs Capitalized	2,989	343
Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Real Estate, Estimated Project Development Cost	$ 467,400
Park7 [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	723
Costs Incurred	$ 26,986
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	25	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 178	0
Northern Michigan University [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	1,200
Costs Incurred	$ 22,991
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	78	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 146	0
Maplewood [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	872
Costs Incurred	$ 4,604
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	124	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 32	0
Limestone Park I & II | Wholly Owned Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed			1,141
Costs Incurred			$ 85,691
Internal Development Costs Capitalized		83
Interest Costs Capitalized		633
The Retreat at Oxford - Phase II | Wholly Owned Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed			350
Costs Incurred			$ 26,745
Internal Development Costs Capitalized		21
Interest Costs Capitalized		195
University Flats | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	771
Costs Incurred	$ 65,490
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	8	60
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 638	117
Honors College | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	346
Costs Incurred	$ 23,304
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	108	71
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 173	2
Boise State University | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	656
Costs Incurred	$ 28,345
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	56	52
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 217	9
Retreat at Blacksburg - Phase I & II | Wholly Owned Properties [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed			829
Costs Incurred			$ 64,549
Internal Development Costs Capitalized		32
Interest Costs Capitalized		208
The Local [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	304
Costs Incurred	$ 23,712
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	31	74
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 161	83
SkyVUE [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	824
Costs Incurred	$ 73,277
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	39	85
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 655	132
Oklahoma State University [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	475
Costs Incurred	$ 29,107
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	37	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 205	0
Players Club [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	592
Costs Incurred	$ 977
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	13	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 10	0
University of Hawai'i [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	599
Costs Incurred	$ 27,379
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	39	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 262	0
University of Minnesota [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	707
Costs Incurred	$ 19,104
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	18	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 20	0
Arizona State University Tempe [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	857
Costs Incurred	$ 36,491
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	58	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 260	0
Iowa State University [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	537
Costs Incurred	$ 10,382
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	38	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 10	0
Colorado State University - Plum Street [Member] | Wholly Owned Properties [Member] | Collegiate Housing Properties In Development [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed	229
Costs Incurred	$ 2,757
Internal Development Costs Capitalized	22	0
Interest Costs Capitalized	$ 22	$ 0
The Hub at University of Wisconsin [Member]
Real Estate Properties [Line Items]
Number Of Beds | bed			1,038
Number of Units in Real Estate Property | bed			341

Disposition of real estate in45

Disposition of real estate investments - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Jan. 15, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Proceeds from sale of real estate			$ 54,100
Repayments of mortgage debt	$ 108,500
Gain on sale of collegiate housing properties		$ 0	11,873
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests			2,100
Partnership Interest [Member]
Gain on sale of collegiate housing properties		0	11,873
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests		$ 87	200
605 West Apartments [Member]
Disposition of real estate investments, sales price			$ 54,600

Investments in unconsolidated46

Investments in unconsolidated entities - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Accrued Liabilities
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Investments classified in accrued expenses	$ 1.9	$ 1.9
Other assets
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investments	$ 26.9	$ 27
MN Holdings, Llc
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%
West Clayton Athens GA Owner LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	50.00%
University Village-Greensboro LLC
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	25.00%
Elauwit Networks
Schedule of Equity Method Investments [Line Items]
Equity method investment, ownership percentage	14.00%

Investments in unconsolidated47

Investments in unconsolidated entities - Financial Information of Unconsolidated Joint Ventures Limited Liability Companies and Limited Partnerships (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Equity Method Investments and Joint Ventures [Abstract]
Revenues	$ 5,609	$ 7,415
Net income (1)	455	14
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities	$ 255	$ (244)

Debt - Additional Information (

Debt - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Jan. 15, 2016	Nov. 24, 2014	Nov. 19, 2014	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Jan. 13, 2014
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding				$ 260,000,000		$ 20,000,000
Long-term Debt, Gross				727,276,000
Unsecured term loan, net of unamortized deferred financing costs				186,314,000		186,738,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage	5.40%
Repayments of Long-term Debt	$ 108,500,000
Long-term Debt	98,200,000			724,098,000
Payments of Debt Extinguishment Costs	$ 10,300,000			0	$ 10,290,000
Unsecured senior notes, net of unamortized deferred financing costs				248,004,000		247,938,000
First Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				0		32,950,000
Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net				1,200,000		800,000
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt Instrument, Accordion Feature, Maximum Allowable Increase			$ 250,000,000
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding				$ 260,000,000		20,000,000
Covenant dividend payout				95.00%
Unsecured term loan, net of unamortized deferred financing costs				$ 186,314,000		186,738,000
Payments of Debt Extinguishment Costs				0	$ 10,290,000
Unsecured senior notes, net of unamortized deferred financing costs				248,004,000		247,938,000
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative Liability, Notional Amount								$ 187,500,000
Credit Agreement | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				$ 122,500,000
Credit Agreement | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross			$ 187,500,000
Credit Agreement Tranche A | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term			7 years
Long-term Debt, Gross			$ 122,500,000
Interest rate				3.50%
Credit Agreement Tranche A | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt | Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate				2.30%
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate Margin				1.20%
Credit Agreement Tranche A | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt | LIBOR Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Margin on variable interest rate			1.55%	1.20%
Credit Agreement Tranche A | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt | LIBOR Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Margin on variable interest rate			2.25%	1.90%
Credit Agreement Tranche B | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				$ 65,000,000
Credit Agreement Tranche B | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term			5 years
Long-term Debt, Gross			$ 65,000,000
Interest rate				2.86%
Credit Agreement Tranche B | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt | Interest Rate Swap
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate				1.66%
Derivative, Average Fixed Interest Rate Margin				1.20%
Credit Agreement Tranche B | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt | LIBOR Rate | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Margin on variable interest rate			1.20%
Credit Agreement Tranche B | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt | LIBOR Rate | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Margin on variable interest rate			1.90%
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Deferred Finance Costs, Noncurrent, Net				$ 2,000,000		2,100,000
Unsecured senior notes, net of unamortized deferred financing costs				$ 248,000,000		247,900,000
Senior Unsecured Notes Due 2024 | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt term		10 years
Face amount of debt		$ 250,000,000
Debt Instrument, Percentage Of Par Value		99.991%
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		4.60%
Revolving Credit Facility | Fifth Amended Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Maturity extension period			1 year
Revolving Credit Facility | Fifth Amended Revolver | Minimum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage				0.15%
Revolving Credit Facility | Fifth Amended Revolver | Maximum
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Line of Credit Facility, Unused Capacity, Commitment Fee Percentage				0.25%
Revolving Credit Facility | Fifth Amended Revolver | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Revolving credit facility, maximum availability			$ 500,000,000
Debt Instrument, Accordion Feature, Maximum Allowable Increase			$ 1,000,000,000
Debt term			4 years
Line of credit facility, interest rate				2.23%
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding				$ 260,000,000
Line of credit facility, remaining borrowing base availability				240,000,000
University Towers [Member] | First Mortgage [Member]
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Long-term Debt, Gross				$ 0		$ 32,950,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period				2.90%

Debt - Mortgage and Constructio

Debt - Mortgage and Construction Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Jan. 15, 2016
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Total	$ 727,276
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(3,178)
Total net of unamortized deferred financing costs	724,098		$ 98,200
Mortgage Debt
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Total	0	$ 32,950
Construction Loans
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Total	$ 29,776	29,626
Interest Rate	2.79%
All Mortgage Loans On Real Estate
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Total	$ 29,776	62,576
Unamortized deferred financing costs	0	(56)
Total net of unamortized deferred financing costs	29,776	62,520
Less current portion, net of unamortized deferred financing costs	(29,776)	(62,520)
Total mortgage and construction debt, net of current portion	$ 0	0
Interest Rate	2.79%
University Towers [Member] | Mortgage Debt
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Total	$ 0	32,950
Maturity Date	Jul. 1, 2017
The Oaks On The Square - Phase IV | Construction Loans
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate [Line Items]
Total	$ 29,776	$ 29,626
Interest Rate	2.79%
Maturity Date	Oct. 20, 2017

Debt - Schedule of Repayment (D

Debt - Schedule of Repayment (Details) - University Towers [Member] - First Mortgage [Member] $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of Debt, Amount	$ 33
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate During Period	2.90%

Debt - Carrying Amount of Mortg

Debt - Carrying Amount of Mortgage and Construction Notes Payable (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate	$ 29,776		$ 62,520	$ 204,511
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, New Mortgage Loans	146	$ 40,974
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Collections of Principal	(32,950)	(183,862)
Mortgage Loans on Real Estate, Amortization of Premium	0	(49)
Write off of Deferred Debt Issuance Cost	0	(523)
Increase (Decrease) in Deferred Charges	$ 60	$ 1,469

Debt - Scheduled Maturities of

Debt - Scheduled Maturities of Outstanding Mortgage and Construction Indebtedness (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Jan. 15, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
2017 (nine months ending December 31, 2017)	$ 29,776
2,018	260,000
2,019	0
2,020	0
2,021	122,500
Long-term Debt, Maturities, Repayments of Principal in Year Six	65,000
Thereafter	250,000
Total	727,276
Unamortized deferred financing costs	(3,178)
Total net of unamortized deferred financing costs	$ 724,098	$ 98,200

Commitments and contingencies -

Commitments and contingencies - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Oct. 31, 2014
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Construction debt	$ 29,776	$ 62,520
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	260,000	20,000
Reimbursable predevelopment costs		0
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Construction debt	29,776	62,520
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	$ 260,000	20,000
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | University Village - Greensboro
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Ownership Percent	25.00%
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | University Village - Greensboro | Joint Venture Properties
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Loan Balance	$ 22,835	22,934
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | University Village - Greensboro | Partnership Interest Properties
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Loan Balance	$ 5,709	5,734
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | The Marshall
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Ownership Percent	50.00%
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | The Marshall | Joint Venture Properties
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Loan Balance	$ 55,618	55,838
Partial Repayment Guarantee	8,767	8,767
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | The Marshall | Partnership Interest Properties
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Loan Balance	27,809	27,919
Partial Repayment Guarantee	$ 4,384	4,384
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Georgia Heights
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Ownership Percent	50.00%
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Georgia Heights | Joint Venture Properties
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Loan Balance	$ 34,961	34,914
Partial Repayment Guarantee	7,230	7,230
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Georgia Heights | Partnership Interest Properties
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Loan Balance	17,481	17,457
Partial Repayment Guarantee	3,615	$ 3,615
Operating Partnership and LeylandAlliance LLC | The Oaks on the Square Project
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Construction debt			$ 38,000
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	37,200
Operating Partnership and LeylandAlliance LLC | The Oaks on the Square Project | Co-venturer
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Line Items]
Line of credit facility, amount outstanding	$ 7,400

Noncontrolling Interests - Addi

Noncontrolling Interests - Additional Information (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017joint_ventureshares	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2016shares
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of units converted (units)	27,500	25,000
605 West Apartments [Member]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Real Estate Assets Gross Sales Price | $		$ 54.6
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Number of new joint venture agreements | joint_venture	9
Redeemable operating partnership units (shares)	132,198		159,698
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | Redeemable University Towers Operating Partnership Units
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Total potentially dilutive securities (shares)	69,086		69,086
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P. | University Towers Operating Partnership LP
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Joint venture, ownership percentage	72.70%
Common Stock
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Stock issued, Shares, conversion of units	27,500	25,000
The Hub at University of Wisconsin [Member]
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, percent	1.60%
The Hub at Tucson
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest [Line Items]
Noncontrolling interest, percent	3.00%

Noncontrolling Interests - Acti

Noncontrolling Interests - Activity (Details) - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 38,949
Adjustments to report redeemable limited partner units at fair value	(238)	$ 722
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(483)	0
Ending balance	45,631
Noncontrolling Interests
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	32,160	5,248
Net income (loss)	(27)	135
Contributions from redeemable noncontrolling interests	7,131	0
Adjustments to report redeemable limited partner units at fair value	(137)	140
Payments to Noncontrolling Interests	0	(2,910)
Distributions	(25)	(51)
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	483	0
Ending balance	39,585	2,562
Limited Partners
Increase (Decrease) in Temporary Equity [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	6,789	8,312
Net income (loss)	35	58
Redemption of redeemable partner units in exchange for common stock or redemption into cash	(1,138)	(938)
Adjustments to report redeemable limited partner units at fair value	(101)	587
Distributions	(61)	(149)
Redeemable Noncontrolling Interest, Equity, Other, Carrying Amount	522	244
Ending balance	$ 6,046	$ 8,114

Equity - Additional Information

Equity - Additional Information (Details) - USD ($)	Mar. 24, 2016	Jan. 15, 2016	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Feb. 28, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016	Aug. 01, 2016	Oct. 31, 2014
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Capital Shares Reserved for Future Issuance			485,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued			73,180,531			73,075,455
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock	$ 500,000	$ 215,100,000	$ 0	$ 286,611,000
Stock Issued During Period, Shares, New Issues	20,000,000	6,300,000
Repayments of Long-term Debt		$ 108,500,000
Long-term Debt		$ 98,200,000	724,098,000
Debt Instrument, Interest Rate, Stated Percentage		5.40%
Payments of Debt Extinguishment Costs		$ 10,300,000	$ 0	$ 10,290,000
Equity Forward Distribution Agreement 2017 [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Offered, Value					$ 500,000,000
Equity Distribution Agreement 2014 [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Offered, Value								$ 150,000,000
Common Stock, Shares, Issued				1,300,000
Proceeds from Issuance of Common Stock				$ 51,100,000
Equity Forward Distribution Agreement 2016 [Member]
Subsidiary, Sale of Stock [Line Items]
Common Stock, Shares Offered, Value							$ 300,000,000

Equity - Forward Contracts (Det

Equity - Forward Contracts (Details) shares in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017$ / sharesshares
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	7,313
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 43.07
Share Price	$ 42.64
Percentage of average sale price per share	99.00%
August 2 2016 Forward Contract [Member]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	273
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 47.93
Share Price	$ 47.33
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date	Dec. 29, 2017
August 8 2016 Forward Contract [Member]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	550
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 46.86
Share Price	$ 46.28
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date	Dec. 29, 2017
August 15 2016 Forward Contract [Member]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	185
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 46.55
Share Price	$ 45.97
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date	Dec. 29, 2017
August 22 2016 Forward Contract [Member]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	213
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 45.59
Share Price	$ 45.02
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date	Dec. 29, 2017
August 29 2016 Forward Contract [Member]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	3,323
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 43.36
Share Price	$ 42.82
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date	Dec. 29, 2017
October 3 2016 Forward Contract [Member]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	2,408
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 41
Share Price	$ 40.51
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date	Dec. 29, 2017
February 28 2017 Forward Contract [Member]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity [Line Items]
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Shares | shares	361
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Forward Rate Per Share	$ 41.55
Share Price	$ 41.14
Forward Contract Indexed to Issuer's Equity, Settlement Date	Dec. 31, 2018

Incentive plans - Additional In

Incentive plans - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	Jan. 01, 2017shares	May 04, 2011shares	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)criteriashares	Mar. 31, 2016USD ($)shares	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Noncash compensation expense related to stock-based incentive awards | $			$ 938	$ 827
General and Administrative Expense
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Noncash compensation expense related to stock-based incentive awards | $			800	700
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, compensation expense | $			$ 0	$ 100
Granted (shares) | shares			0	0
Time Based Restricted Stock | Long Term Incentive Plan Twenty Sixteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, performance period			3 years
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, unearned compensation related to restricted stock | $					$ 0
Equity incentive plan, compensation expense | $			$ 0	$ 100
RSU awards vested (in shares) | shares	79,699
Granted (shares) | shares			0	0
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs) | Long Term Incentive Plan Twenty Sixteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, vesting period			3 years
LTIP Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, compensation expense | $			$ 800	$ 500
Unearned compensation | $			$ 6,500		$ 4,200
Granted (shares) | shares			146,728	131,745
LTIP Units, Time-Based | Long Term Incentive Plan Twenty Sixteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, vesting period			3 years
Award type allocation			25.00%
Number of performance based criteria | criteria			6
LTIP Units, Time-Based | Long Term Incentive Plan Twenty Seventeen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, vesting period			3 years
Award type allocation			25.00%
LTIP Units, Performance-Based | Long Term Incentive Plan Twenty Sixteen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award type allocation			75.00%
Equity incentive plan, performance period			3 years
LTIP Units, Performance-Based | Long Term Incentive Plan Twenty Seventeen [Member]
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Award type allocation			75.00%
Number of performance based criteria | criteria			6
Equity incentive plan, performance period			3 years
Stock Incentive Plan 2011
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award [Line Items]
Equity incentive plan, common stock shares authorized | shares		105,000
Equity incentive plan, additional common stock shares | shares		1,049,167
Equity incentive plan, common stock shares reserved for issuance | shares			538,858

Incentive plans - Stock Based I

Incentive plans - Stock Based Incentive Plan Activity (Details) - $ / shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Restricted Stock
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)	7,799	25,569
Granted (shares)	0	0
Vested (shares)	(4,516)	(10,199)
Surrendered (shares)	(3,283)	(7,508)
Ending balance (shares)	0	7,862
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$ 26.46	$ 28.32
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	0	0
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	26.46	31.92
Surrendered, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	26.46	31.92
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$ 0	$ 26.46
Restricted Stock Units (RSUs)
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)	91,756	146,911
Granted (shares)	0	0
Vested (shares)	(53,131)	(10,776)
Surrendered (shares)	(38,625)	(43,596)
Ending balance (shares)	0	92,539
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$ 19.20	$ 20.58
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	0	0
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	19.20	22.95
Surrendered, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	19.20	22.95
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$ 0	$ 19.20
LTIP Units
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Options, Outstanding [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance (shares)	280,452	155,774
Granted (shares)	146,728	131,745
Vested (shares)	(14,385)	(7,067)
Surrendered (shares)	0	0
Ending balance (shares)	412,795	280,452
Share-based Compensation Arrangement by Share-based Payment Award, Equity Instruments Other than Options, Nonvested, Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value [Abstract]
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$ 22.29	$ 18.83
Granted, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	25.85	26.20
Vested, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	36.30	18.83
Surrendered, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	0	0
Beginning balance, Weighted-Average Grant Date Fair Value (usd per share)	$ 22.80	$ 22.29

Derivatives and hedging activ60

Derivatives and hedging activities (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)swap	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)
Derivative [Line Items]
Interest rate cash flow hedge gain (loss) to be reclassified during next 12 months, net	$ 1.6
Interest rate derivative liabilities, at fair value	2.7	$ 3.8
Credit risk derivatives, at fair value, net	$ 2.7
Interest Rate Swap
Derivative [Line Items]
Number of interest rate swaps outstanding | swap	6
Derivative, notional amount	$ 187.5
Forward-starting interest rate contracts
Derivative [Line Items]
Derivative, notional amount	$ 65
Derivative, Number of Instruments Held | swap	3

Derivatives and hedging activ61

Derivatives and hedging activities - Schedule of Fair Value of Derivatives and Interest Rate Swaps (Details) - Designated as Hedging Instrument - USD ($) $ in Thousands	Mar. 31, 2017	Dec. 31, 2016
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	$ 165	$ 0
Liability Derivatives	2,651	3,564
Interest Rate Contract | Other assets
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Asset Derivatives	165	0
Interest Rate Contract | Accounts payable and accrued expenses
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Liability Derivatives	$ 2,651	$ 3,564

Derivatives and hedging activ62

Derivatives and hedging activities - Schedule of Fair Value Hedging Instruments, Statements of Financial Performance and Financial Position, Location (Details) - Interest Expense - USD ($) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016
Interest Rate Contract
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	$ 304	$ 4,229
Amount of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	609	$ 782
Forward-starting interest rate contracts
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in OCI on Derivative (Effective Portion)	165
Amount of Loss Reclassified from Accumulated OCI into Income (Effective Portion)	$ 0

Earnings Per Share - Reconcilia

Earnings Per Share - Reconciliation (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	$ 16,157	$ 16,669
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(483)	0
Net income attributable to common shareholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 15,674	$ 16,669
Denominator:
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	73,510,000	62,677,000
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	73,775,000	62,963,000
Earnings per share – basic:
Earnings Per Share, Basic	$ 0.21	$ 0.27
Earnings Per Share, Diluted	0.21	0.26
Distributions declared per common share/unit (usd per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.37
Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Numerator – basic and diluted earnings per share:
Net income (loss) attributable to common shareholders/unitholders	$ 16,192	$ 16,727
Accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	(483)	0
Net income attributable to common shareholders after accretion of redeemable noncontrolling interests	$ 15,709	$ 16,727
Denominator:
Weighted average units outstanding (shares)	73,159,000	62,429,000
Redeemable Operating Partnership units (shares)	132,198		159,698
Basic weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	73,664,000	62,894,000
Diluted weighted average shares of common stock outstanding	73,775,000	62,963,000
Earnings per share – basic:
Earnings per share, basic and diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.21	$ 0.27
Distributions declared per common share/unit (usd per share)	$ 0.38	$ 0.37
Operating Partnership Units
Denominator:
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Contingently Issuable Shares	154,000	217,000
Operating Partnership Units | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Denominator:
Redeemable Operating Partnership units (shares)	154,000	217,000
University Towers Operating Partnership Units
Denominator:
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Contingently Issuable Shares	69,000	69,000
LTIP Units | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Denominator:
Redeemable Operating Partnership units (shares)	351,000	248,000
Redeemable University Towers Operating Partnership Units | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Denominator:
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Contingently Issuable Shares	69,000	69,000
Earnings per share – basic:
Total potentially dilutive securities (shares)	69,086		69,086
Shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements
Denominator:
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Contingently Issuable Shares	42,000	0
Shares issuable upon settlement of the Forward Agreements | Education Realty Operating Partnership L.P.
Denominator:
Incremental Common Shares Attributable to Dilutive Effect of Contingently Issuable Shares	42,000	0

Fair Value of Financial Instr64

Fair Value of Financial Instruments (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, performance period	2 years
Contributions from noncontrolling interests		$ 3,571,000
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, low value	$ 0
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, high value	4,500,000
Change in amount of contingent consideration	500,000	$ 0
Carrying value
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	500,000		$ 500,000
Senior unsecured notes	250,000,000		250,000,000
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	260,000,000		20,000,000
Unsecured term loan facility	187,500,000		187,500,000
Carrying value | Fair Value, Measurements, Nonrecurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Real Estate Property, Fair Value Disclosure	17,500,000
Carrying value | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments (liability position)	2,486,000		3,564,000
Deferred compensation plan assets	669,000		503,000
Contingent Consideration (recorded as accrued expense)	3,750,000		3,250,000
Carrying value | Variable Rate
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage and construction loans	29,776,000		62,576,000
Estimated fair value | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	0		0
Senior unsecured notes	0		0
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	0		0
Unsecured term loan facility	0		0
Estimated fair value | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	453,000		450,000
Senior unsecured notes	254,424,000		246,305,000
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	260,000,000		20,000,000
Unsecured term loan facility	187,500,000		187,500,000
Estimated fair value | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Notes receivable	0		0
Senior unsecured notes	0		0
Line of Credit Facility, Fair Value of Amount Outstanding	0		0
Unsecured term loan facility	0		0
Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments (liability position)	0		0
Deferred compensation plan assets	669,000		503,000
Contingent Consideration (recorded as accrued expense)	0		0
Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments (liability position)	2,486,000		3,564,000
Deferred compensation plan assets	0		0
Contingent Consideration (recorded as accrued expense)	0		0
Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Derivative financial instruments (liability position)	0		0
Deferred compensation plan assets	0		0
Contingent Consideration (recorded as accrued expense)	3,750,000		3,250,000
Estimated fair value | Variable Rate | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage and construction loans	0		0
Estimated fair value | Variable Rate | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage and construction loans	29,776,000		62,576,000
Estimated fair value | Variable Rate | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Mortgage and construction loans	0		0
The Hub at Tucson
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Contingent consideration, possible outcome, high value	1,500,000
Contingent consideration, asset	1,500,000
Contingent consideration, liability	500,000
OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units | Carrying value | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	8,529,000		9,361,000
OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units | Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	0		0
OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units | Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	8,529,000		9,361,000
OP Units, LTIP Units and University Towers Operating Units | Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	0		0
Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions | Carrying value | Recurring
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	37,102,000		29,588,000
Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions | Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 1
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	0		0
Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions | Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 2
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	31,947,000		29,588,000
Joint venture partners' interest in development joint ventures and acquisitions | Estimated fair value | Recurring | Level 3
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Redeemable noncontrolling interests measured at fair value	$ 0		$ 0

Fair Value of Financial Instr65

Fair Value of Financial Instruments - Schedule of Liabilities Measured at Fair Value (Details) - Level 3 $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)
Fair Value, Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis, Unobservable Input Reconciliation, Calculation [Roll Forward]
Fair value, December 31, 2016	$ 3,250
Purchases, issuances and settlements, net	0
Adjustment of fair value during period	500
Transfers into Level 3	0
Fair value, March 31, 2017	$ 3,750

Segments - Additional Informati

Segments - Additional Information (Details) $ in Thousands	3 Months Ended	12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017USD ($)propertycollegiate_housing_communitycommunitysegment	Dec. 31, 2016USD ($)property
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Number of properties acquired (properties) | property	2	5
Goodwill | $	$ 3,100	$ 3,100
Operating Segments | Collegiate Housing Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Number of Properties Opened | property	4
Number of properties acquired (properties) | property	6
Number of Housing Communities Developed in Period | collegiate_housing_community	15
Number Of Properties Sold | community	2
Operating Segments | Management Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill | $	$ 2,149	2,100
Operating Segments | Development Consulting Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Goodwill | $	$ 921	$ 900

Segments - Segment Information

Segments - Segment Information (Details) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2017	Mar. 31, 2016	Dec. 31, 2016
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Collegiate housing leasing revenue	$ 80,785,000	$ 70,183,000
Collegiate housing leasing operations	28,877,000	24,889,000
Net operating income	18,441,000	20,216,000
Third-party development consulting services	1,815,000	483,000
Third-party management services	945,000	894,000
Total segment assets at end of period	2,719,848,000		$ 2,506,185,000
Segment revenue	85,798,000	73,379,000
Operating expense reimbursements	2,253,000	1,819,000
Segment operating expenses	32,207,000	27,968,000
Reimbursable operating expenses	2,253,000	1,819,000
Depreciation and amortization	(25,839,000)	(17,516,000)
Ground lease	(3,560,000)	(3,309,000)
Nonoperating income (expense)	(3,439,000)	(14,989,000)
Loss on impairment of collegiate housing properties	0	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities	255,000	(244,000)
Income before income taxes and gain on sale of collegiate housing properties	15,257,000	4,983,000
Operating Segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating income	53,591,000	45,411,000
Segment revenue	83,545,000	71,560,000
Segment operating expenses	29,954,000	26,149,000
Operating Segments | Collegiate Housing Leasing
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Collegiate housing leasing revenue	80,785,000	70,183,000
Collegiate housing leasing operations	28,877,000	24,889,000
Net operating income	51,908,000	45,294,000
Total segment assets at end of period	2,653,399,000	1,959,749,000
Operating Segments | Development Consulting Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating income	1,274,000	(203,000)
Third-party development consulting services	1,815,000	483,000
General and administrative (3)	541,000	686,000
Total segment assets at end of period	7,430,000	4,671,000
Operating Segments | Management Services
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net operating income	409,000	320,000
Third-party management services	945,000	894,000
General and administrative (3)	536,000	574,000
Total segment assets at end of period	8,743,000	11,607,000
Segment Reconciling Items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating expense reimbursements	2,253,000	1,819,000
Reimbursable operating expenses	2,253,000	1,819,000
Other unallocated general and administrative expenses (4)	(5,251,000)	(4,370,000)
Depreciation and amortization	(25,839,000)	(17,516,000)
Ground lease	(3,560,000)	(3,309,000)
Nonoperating income (expense)	(3,439,000)	(14,989,000)
Other Operating Income	(500,000)	0
Equity in earnings (losses) of unconsolidated entities	$ 255,000	$ (244,000)

Subsequent events - Additional

Subsequent events - Additional Information (Details) - Subsequent Event	May 15, 2017	Apr. 28, 2017USD ($)	Apr. 17, 2017$ / shares
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Distribution declared per share (usd per share) | $ / shares			$ 0.38
Distribution declared, payable date	May 15, 2017
Distribution declared, record date		Apr. 28, 2017
Reserve On Stinson Apartments [Member]
Subsequent Event [Line Items]
Number Of Beds Sold		612
Real Estate Assets Gross Sales Price		$ 18,200,000