Exhibit 23.1

Consent of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

We consent to the incorporation by reference in the following Registration Statements of American Campus Communities, Inc. and Subsidiaries:

Form S-3 No. 333-255622

Form S-3 No. 333-224947

Form S-3 No. 333-204364

Form S-3 No. 333-181102

Form S-3 No. 333-157979

Form S-3 No. 333-150307

Form S-3 No. 333-140426

Form S-3 No. 333-130830

Form S-3 No. 333-129131

Form S-8 No. 333-224656 pertaining to the 2018 Employee Incentive Award Plan

Form S-8 No. 333-166882 pertaining to the 2010 Employee Incentive Award Plan

Form S-8 No. 333-118275 pertaining to the 2004 Employee Incentive Award Plan

Form S-4 No. 333-150059

of our reports dated February 28, 2022, with respect to the consolidated financial statements of American Campus Communities, Inc. and Subsidiaries and the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting of American Campus Communities, Inc. and Subsidiaries included in this Annual Report (Form 10-K) for the year ended December 31, 2021.

/s/ Ernst & Young LLP

Austin, Texas

February 28, 2022