<p>We’re currently trying to crunch the numbers to be able to afford for my daughter to live in the dorms. We live about 45 minutes away from the nearest school she is considering so it’s technically feasible for her to commute. However, she doesn’t have a driver’s license yet, nor a car. So we will have to come up with a chunk of money to get that car, and then of course the added expense of gas/insurance/maintenance. I’m thinking it will be in the $100-200 range for monthly insurance. I think an older car, say costing in the $5k range, will probably need considerable maintenance from time to time. If we add all this together, then the cost of dorms vs. commuting becomes quite a bit closer in price, for that first year at least. Non-commuting freshman are not allowed to have a car on campus at this particular school so she won’t be the only one without a car if she lives in the dorms.</p>