Current college student here. Now where I go to school, the price of dorm (over 9 months + meals) and apartment (over 12 months + some for groceries) is not much different. For me, it was a no-brainer to go for the apartment; I learned how to cook for myself in the span of about 24 hours of not having my parents cook for me, and a few months ago I received a job offer for remote work -- something I most definitely could not have done had I been in a dorm.

I have more space to myself -- something that I enjoy -- and I can cook whatever I want (of course within limits) whenever I want it. And it's healthier than eating Chipotle or whatever every night.