Being the first of 6 kids in a blended family to go to college, money was tight and expectations weren’t exactly sky high. Colleges not within driving distance were not even on the radar screen for me. I spent 6 years living at home, working multiple jobs, and getting a degree (going to a local private, community, and then state school). School was a means to an end, not an environment for meeting lots of people and learning about a new part of the country or world. Because I was a commuter, I wasn’t forced to make school friends, and for the most part didn’t. The memories I have are mostly of what I did with my high school friends outside of the campus environment. I didn’t have any loyalty or connection to any of the schools I attended.
My husband spent his last two years on/near campus 3+ hours from home - completely different experience. We both agreed that “going away” to school was going to be part of the college picture for D. She is only 1 hour away, but it has made all the difference - making friends, feeling connected to the school and city, and getting a lot of “adulting” lessons that arise from not being under her parents’ roof a majority of the year. We have the financial means to make this happen (single child, in-state tuition at state school, within driving distance) and are grateful for that.
Having made college decisions from both sides of the economic spectrum, I can say that money (or the lack of it) truly colors your perception of what a college experience can be.