This company can give your college student a home away from home. Education Realty Trust, a self-administered real estate investment trust (REIT), develops, buys, owns, and operates residential communities for university students. It owns roughly 50 communities in more than 20 US states, consisting of almost 28,000 beds in nearly 10,500 units. Through its Allen & O'Hara Education Services subsidiary, the REIT manages another 20-plus student housing properties owned by others. Education Realty Trust communities offer private rooms as well as amenities such as Internet access, fitness centers, game rooms, dining facilities, swimming pools -- and even study rooms.