Each year, thousands of students attend colleges and universities across the country. If the school is close enough to a student's house, one of the first decisions is whether to commute or dorm. This decision could be easy for some students, but may be an issue for others. There are many factors that contribute to student’s ability to dorm. Money can make or break the decision, as the cost for room and board is expensive. There are many benefits to living on campus, but, do they outweigh the costs?

One of the main reasons undergraduates decide to commute to school is to save money. Room and board alone can add up to $10,000 a year. Students decide to stay home and save a substantial amount of money and either spend it on a car, future debt, financial loans and savings for the future. There are also plenty of advantages aside from money. Commuters constantly have their parents to make home cooked meals, give advice and help with whatever they may need. It is also more convenient to have a job, because some colleges do not allow students, especially freshmen, to have cars on campus.

Freedom and experience are two of the many advantages of living on a college campus. It may seem like staying home for college is a good idea financially, but students can grow by leaving the comfort of their home. Living on campus allows students to pursue themselves and their goals on a more independent level. It is also a huge advantage to be a bigger part of the college community, becaus,e it is hard for a student to feel part of an environment if they are only there for mandatory reasons. It is a way for students to feel more connected with the school and the community as a whole.

There are pros and cons to whichever scenario one chooses. Living on campus is a great opportunity to help students learn time management, become independent and grow as individuals. However, the costs for tuition are spiraling and are making many families second guess whether it is worth sending their child away to school.