My son liked the 10 meal plan. Most weekends, the House had barbecues one day. The kids found lots on cheap, interesting places to eat. There s a store right by the Houses, if they don’t want to go out or order in.
Son was also on the MOM–full pay plan. He did a SURF first summer, and internships each summer after that. He earned $10,000 plus, and this was in the 2000’s . At that time, he earned upper class merit awards, but I don’t think they are offered now. Anyway, I didn’t have to give him allowances or anything.
Being a small school, son got involved in ECs. When his first post graduation job didn’t work out, he got a job as a research tech back at Caltech. Gaining research experience and being in a position for good LORs, helped him gain admission to grad schools. His current roommate is another Caltech grad. When in SV for an extended internship, former Caltech classmates were his closest friends.
OP, I don’t know your state school. I don’t think son would have gotten an equal education nor would he have met like-minded peers.