If you read the whole article it's clear that "college students in mansions" is not what the author is really writing about. Even the subtitle makes this clear:

If you read the whole article it's clear that "college students in mansions" is not what the author is really writing about. Even the subtitle makes this clear: > Globe-trotting landlords can avoid vacancy taxes by renting. It’s the latest twist for a housing market down 8.5% from its peak. The article really just uses "students renting mansions" as two of several anecdotes accompanying the story. The subject of the article is that Vancouver's taxes on foreign owned investment property are pushing down prices on property, and a rental loophole that is also affecting the rental market. Headlines have always been set by editors to catch eyes and now clicks. I don't think that makes the reporting any worse. Perhaps a more appropriate title could have been set on HN but from what I understand the guideline is to use the original title.