Commuting vs. On Campus living

Dedalussayshi
Fri, 02 Aug 2013 12:18:08 +0000

Here is a quick calculation of the average cost it would be for you:

3.646 is average cost per gallon
24.6 is average mileage

I’m assuming you’re going traveling at 55 mph for 1.5 hours because I don’t know you’re specific route and how long it is and 55 is leaning towards highway speeds while still factoring local road speeds of 35-45. (I’m assuming you do spend more time on the highway)

So one way I’m assuming you are traveling 55*1.5 = 82.5 miles

If you have a car with average mileage(generous based on stats for subcompacts especially in cities): 82.5/24.6 = 3.3536 gallons
Using the average national price of gas:
3.3536 * 3.646 = $12.23 per direction

Weekly cost: (I’m using an average of a six day week and a 5 day week because I’m assuming that you will go to school events once per weekend at least half the weeks)
$12.2326 = $146.73
$12.2325 = $122.27

($146.73 + $122.27)/2 = $134.50 per week
Average college semester is 15 weeks, You will have 4-5 weeks of break max so assuming you have ten weeks of actual attendance:
$1345.00 = cost of commuting for one semester.

BUT there are other factors, what about the probability that you will skip a class because you feel kinda sick and don’t want to drive 1.5 hours to class? What if you left something at home and had to go and get it? There are a lot of incidental costs that can’t be calculated. Also I’m adding worth to the time you are losing as well, as you could spend it working, socializing, studying etc. Average U.S hourly wages are $24.90, but that is much to high for a college student, so I’m using the average hourly wage for the Leisure and hospitality industry (the one you would most likely work in). While you may not necessarily get a job, your time is still valuable so this is the best way I could think of valuing it.

Average Hourly wage July 2013: $13.48

Hours commuted Weekly: 16.5 = (1.525 +1.526)/2
Hours per Semester: 16.510 = 165
Cost Per Semester: 13.48165 = $2224.20

So when making your decision consider the following.

Cost of Commuting: Monetary:
$1345 + $2224.20 + Incidental Costs

Other:
Less Socialization, More free time (Home w/o events to go to), Someone else to do you laundry/cooking. 2 maybe 3 free meals, old friends, closer to family

Cost of Staying:
Monetary:
College Boarding Cost and Food

Other:
More Socialization, more options, Campus food, Laundry responsibilities, more responsibilities in general, Generally more enjoyable.

I tried to make this as objective as possible. I know you said ignoring cost, but when you add it up, the difference is ~$1000-$1500 which is chump change in the grand scheme of things. When you look at the pros and cons, you have to decide for yourself, what do you want out of your college experience?
(btw did I forget anything? Any faulty logic? (I hate it when I do that))