Commuter College: What are the pros and cons?

As the burden of student loans becomes more apparent to high school students, many are trying to find creative ways to get a college education without taking on a lifetime’s worth of debt. These cost-conscious students may try attending community college first, taking lots of AP and IB classes in high school (that give college credit) and working full-time while attending school.

Another way they’re trying to minimize student loans? By going to a commuter school. Read on to learn how commuter schools work and the pros and cons of attending one.

What is a commuter school?

In general, a commuter school is a school that is primarily attended by students who live off campus and drive to class. The schools are usually located in major cities. They usually don’t require that students live on campus and may have fewer dormitories than other schools.

Commuter schools are often popular with nontraditional students, including older students, returning students and even students who are also parents or caregivers. These students often have jobs on top of a full course load so they don’t need the socialization aspect of college.

You can also be a commuter student at a school that doesn’t have a high number of them. This usually means that most of the students live on campus, while you won’t. Being a commuter student at a traditional school can be more challenging because you’ll be an outlier compared to other students.

Pros

Here are some of the biggest benefits to attending a commuter school:

Cheaper costs

When most students think about the cost of attending college, they think about tuition and fees. However, room and board can sometimes be just as costly, especially if you have scholarships to cover tuition.

For 2024, the average cost of room and board was about $13,000 per year. If you can commute and live at home, you may be able to save tens of thousands of dollars over the course of four years.

Plus, if you are attending school in-state, then you will likely pay far less in tuition. The average cost of tuition at a public four-year school is $9,750 for in-state students and $27,457 for out-of-state students. That amounts to about $72,000 over the course of four years.

If you’re attending a private school while living at home, then you may still qualify for state-based grants that can reduce your tuition costs. Many of these grants are given to students attending private schools, as long as they’re local students.

Easier to focus

Being on campus can be like its own temptation island. Everywhere you go, someone is inviting you to hang out, go to a party or binge the latest season of “Bridgerton.” This can make it harder to buckle down and focus on your school work.

If you are commuting, it may be easier to study since your parents will likely respect your need for quiet time. This can be especially helpful for students who struggle with attention deficit. And when you’re on campus, you can focus on being with your friends or participating in extracurriculars.

Cons

It can be hard to make new friends

Possibly the biggest knock against commuter schools is that you can't make friends as easily when you're not living on campus. And if you're not a natural extrovert, then you may find it more difficult to step out of your comfort zone.

Having friends in your program can mean more networking opportunities when it’s time to find an internship or a job.

Fewer perks and amenities

Commuter schools are focused on providing an education - often at the expense of typical college experiences. For example, there may not be a football team to root for or a special homecoming weekend like you might see at other major schools.

Tips for managing life at a commuter schools

Join clubs

When attending a regular college or living on campus, the dorms are the first place where you make friends. It's easy - just walk outside your door and a few dozen potential friends are waiting for you.

When you're at a commuter school, you have to be more deliberate to make friends. They won't just fall in your lap. One of the best ways to do this is to join clubs with likeminded people. For example, if you’re into martial arts, find a campus martial arts club.

Stay late

If you leave school as soon as class is over, you’re probably missing out on potential social opportunities. Try to stay as late as possible, at least so you can grab dinner with friends and classmates.

Who should consider commuter schools?

If you need more support

For some students going away to school represents freedom and adventure. But for others, the thought of going away to school can mean losing your entire support system. If you have struggled before, either with mental or physical health problems, staying close to home while attending school can help avoid those potential issues.

If you want to minimize costs

Some students who already have no financial support from their parents may want to limit how much they have to take out in student loans. Also, if you know that your future career requires attending grad school, saving some money on undergrad can make sense.

Some students who want to study abroad for an extended period of time may also be interested in a commuter school so they can more easily afford foreign travel.

The Bottom Line

Attending a commuter school is going to save you a LOT of money over the next couple of decades if you are among the many who will be taking out student loans. Rember, you will be paying interest on every dime you borrow, including housing. Make sure to search for scholarships regardless of which type of college you decide to attend.

Going to a commuter school doesn’t have to take away from your college experience. Even if you currently live at home, you don’t have to for all four years. Remember, you can always get an apartment later on with friends from school if you want to experience independence.

Being at a commuter school just means you’ll have to be more outgoing if you want to build connections and make friends.