For the schools that recruit primarily within a commutable radius (Rutgers, CCNY, USF, CSULA, Northridge, CPP, even SUNY Stony Brook and Georgia State)… they are. Flagships that recruit from the entire state in a huge state (like CA, TX, or FL) or less densely populated states are mostly residential. UF, FSU are residential, as are GTech or UCLA. The directionals by definition aren’t in the same situation (ie., CSUs, USF, FAU, FIU…) as are the flagships in densely populated areas (SUNY SB, Rutgers, for sure.)
You can compare p.25 in the CDS: only 6% freshmen (proxy for “live with parents” since otherwise they are required to live on campus) commute at UC Boulder v. 43% at USF.
Last comment because otherwise that would derail the thread…
USF is not FSU or UF, it’s more commuter than UGA. However the Honors students live on campus for 2 years in both cases, with guaranteed housing, so the issue is not so much about friends&social life in that specific case, and more about what the campus organizes on weekends for the students who do stay there: free films, arts&crafts, trip, big name or niche concerts, play, stand up comedy, open mike night, dorm v. dorm basketball tournament… Does the HOnors College organize activities and field trips during weekends?
It’s worth investigating, asking for a calendar or list of everything going on.
For sure UGA’s entertainment will center football and Greeks in higher proportion.
USF will probably have beach-related activities.