Can Landlord Refuse to Rent to College Student?

Q: I’m a landlord, and I don’t want to rent to college students. May a landlord refuse to rent to single college students without violating the Fair Housing Act? 

A: Yes. College students don’t constitute a protected class under the Fair Housing Act, which prohibits discrimination based on race, color, religion, handicap, familial status or national origin. Familial status has been defined as a person with one or more children under the age of 18, a woman who is pregnant or a person who has custody or is gaining custody of a child under the age of 18.