My kid didn’t come home except at Christmas and in the summer…and it had little to do with finances. Her school was 3000 miles away. Thanksgiving was one week before exams began. It made no sense to fly her home and fly her back for one week…plus she had great relatives who welcomed her each thanksgiving. Spring breaks, a lot of schools have service trips…student fundraiser to participate. My kid did those.
If coming home more often is an important criteria, then one needs to choose a college at a price point AND location that makes this possible.