In the same time it took this year's graduates to study a typical three-year degree course, properties in 65 university towns across the UK grew in value by an average 22.5pc, or around £39,000.
Guildford, home to the University of Surrey, saw the biggest house price growth – increasing in value by £105,362 (26pc) over the past three years. It also doubles up as the most expensive university town in Britain, with an average house price of £511,673.
The data, by Halifax Bank, reveals how the top 10 university towns with the largest price growth are all located in southern England.
Uxbridge, where Brunel University is located, follows Guildford as the town to see the second highest house price growth over the past three years, with home values rising by an average £102,061 (30pc).
Hatfield, Bath and Bedfordshire, also rank in the top 10 university towns for house price growth, with values rising by £88,829, £87,169 and £84,621, respectively.
Bedfordshire in fact recorded the greatest percentage increase (42pc) in house prices over the past three years, but because property in the town is cheaper than in Guildford and Uxbridge, average prices have risen less substantially, from £200,086 to £284,707.
Halifax combined Luton, Bedford and Aylesbury house price data for Bedfordshire as the University is based in all three locations.
The figures will prove useful to buyers and buy-to-let investors who want to find the most valuable property hot spots in the UK.
Russell Galley of Halifax, said: “While it is well documented that the student housing market can be lucrative for private landlords receiving monthly rental incomes, this research also indicates the potential earnings from bricks and mortar alone.
"Over the last three years, parents who bought a property for their child to live in while undertaking their studies could have seen an average gain of 22pc on the value of the property. They may also have benefitted from rental income from housemates or flat-sharers.”
Over the past five years, the growth in house price value has been even more significant, averaging £57,883 (38pc) across the 65 university towns and peaking as high as £169,038 or 74pc in Hatfield, where the average house price is £394,487.
Eight other university towns have seen at least a £100,000 increase in average house prices since 2012, including: Cambridge, Uxbridge, Oxford, Winchester, Guildford, Brighton, Bedfordshire and Reading.