2026 University Valuation Case Challenge
About the Challenge
A National Stage for the Next Generation
The University Valuation Case Challenge is a national real estate appraisal case competition hosted during the Appraisal Institute Annual Conference.
Modeled after leading industry case challenges, the competition brings together 16 teams from undergraduate real estate programs across the country.
Each team consists of four undergraduate students and a faculty or staff advisor. Teams are challenged to solve a real-world development case incorporating multiple aspects of commercial real estate, including financing, valuation, design and strategy.
Students will develop and defend their recommendations before senior executives and professionals from across the commercial real estate industry. Finalist teams will be selected during the semifinal round and advance to the final-round presentations.
Hear From the Champions
In Their Own Words
The UMass Amherst team reflected on what the week of preparation, the pressure of competition, and the experience of working on a real development case taught them.
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“The entire experience working on the actual project was such a learning curve for us. But in the best way possible, we really got to force ourselves to learn things that maybe we wouldn’t have if we didn’t do this.” |
Meet the Top Four Teams
Every team that competed demonstrated rigorous analysis, real-world reasoning, and exceptional preparation. Winning teams will be featured in Valuation Magazine with a profile and photo.
1st Place
University of Massachusetts Amherst — $5,000
2nd Place
Virginia Tech — $3,000
3rd Place
University of Florida — $2,000
4th Place
University of Houston — Finalist
Meet the Competitors
Sixteen university teams from across the country competed in the inaugural University Valuation Case Challenge at the 2026 Appraisal Institute Annual Conference in Nashville. Each team tackled a real-world development scenario, presenting their analysis to a panel of senior industry professionals.
Meet the Judges
The 2026 UVCC was evaluated by a distinguished panel of senior professionals from across the commercial real estate and valuation industry. Their expertise and feedback gave competing students a real-world perspective on their presentations.
- Apprise by Walker & Dunlop
- ARES
- Ascendant Realty
- Bank Plus
- Carlile Valuation, Inc.
- Enrique T. Casado, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
- CBRE
- Colliers
- Commonwealth Commercial Appraisal Group
- Dale C. Cooper, MAI, SRA, AI-GRS, AI-RRS
- Curran Appraisal
- Cushman & Wakefield
- Ektimo Advisors
- Enright & Company
- Enterprise Community Partners
- Entreken Associates, Inc.
- Ernst & Young LLP
- Gardiner Ray, LLC
- Gohn & Company
- The Harbin Group, Inc.
- The Henderson Group
- Integra Realty Resources
- JB Real Estate Valuation
- Ashley Johnson, MAI, SRA
- Paula K. Konikoff, JD, MAI, AI-GRS
- Lowery Property Advisors
- Mayhew Group, LLC
- Mosaic Property Valuations
- MountainSeed
- Newmark
- John Nolan, MAI, LEED, AP
- Nova Group, GBC
- Penn Center Advisors
- realwired
- Rockport VAL
- Ryan, LLC
- Salem Valuation Solutions
- SMBC Manubank
- Special Purpose Property Valuations
- Tankersley Appraisal
- Teel Valuation Group
- Tropical Valuation Advisory
- Tonia Vailas, MAI, AI-GRS
- Valbridge Property Advisors
- Valtrust
Official Technology Partner
Powered by Rockport VAL
The Rockport Group provided all competing teams with hands-on access to their industry-leading cash flow modeling and valuation platform, plus a dedicated training series to prepare students for the case.
- Complimentary Rockport VAL access for all competing teams
- Up to eight co-hosted training sessions for students and faculty
- Rockport VAL certification opportunity for competing students
- One-year complimentary license for certified students and winning team
Thank You to Our Sponsors
The Organizations That Made It Possible
The UVCC would not be possible without the support of firms and organizations committed to investing in the next generation of valuation professionals.
Sponsors
Your partnership helps create an exceptional experience for attendees, bringing the valuation community together for timely education, meaningful connections, and ideas that move the profession forward. Thank you for investing in appraisers and the future of valuation.
Why Participate
More Than a Case CompetitionThe University Valuation Case Challenge gives students an opportunity to apply what they have learned in the classroom to the kinds of decisions real estate professionals make every day. Teams will analyze a real property, evaluate development possibilities, build a financially supportable recommendation and communicate their conclusions to experienced professionals. |
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