Really depends on the campus, the dorm, and the individual’s personality. I liked dorm life, because everything was convenient and I could retreat to my dorm room when I wanted to get away from people. My brother preferred apartment life, where he could cook and grill and have people over. My brother’s children are in college now; one loves apartment life, one loves dorm life, and one is threatening to move home where he doesn’t have to share living space with other teenagers.

Unless dorm life is awful, I’d take the less expensive housing option.