College Life: What Is A Commuter Student?

Did you know that roughly 86% of college students don’t live in university-owned housing? That makes them commuter students. Since commuter students make up a huge proportion of college students, there’s no doubt that the group is diverse. Some live at home with their parents, some have children of their own, others work part- or full-time, etc. No matter what it is that makes you a commuter student, there are some distinct benefits that come along with being a commuter student.

Depending on your situation, you may find yourself commuting to college. Driving to and from campus will provide you with a different experience than that of your peers who live on campus. But that’s not to say it’s better or worse — it’s simply unique.

Let’s see what being a commuter student means and how it may define your college experience.

What is a Commuter Student?

A commuter student is a student who does not live in university-owned housing. Since they live off-campus, they have to find a method of transportation to get to their classes on campus. For some, biking or walking is a possibility. Others may need to take public transportation or use their own car to drive to campus.

If you’re a commuter student, you can still spend time on the campus and use amenities like common areas, study halls, eateries, and the library. Yet, many commuter students do find themselves attending lectures and then leaving campus again to go on with the rest of their day.

What are Colleges Like at Commuter Schools?

There are a variety of academic institutions for higher education. Some are specifically designed for commuter students. Others have a high population of students who live on-campus.

If you happen to attend a commuter school, like a community college, then you are bound to find some of these characteristics:

Less/no campus housing

There may or may not be campus housing available. In the case of community colleges, there is no campus housing. In the case of a school that has a lot of commuters, then there will be less dorms or on-campus apartments available.

Large parking lots

Naturally, if many students are driving to campus, then you’ll notice a lot of large parking lots. It’s common for parking garages or lots on campuses to fill up quickly. Most schools will require that students pay for a parking pass.

Quiet campus

When attending a commuter school, the campus may seem more quiet compared to a school where most students live on the campus. This makes sense because when students arrive, they’ll be in lecture halls or the library. Then, once their classes are over, they may vacate the campus. On the other hand, when students live on campus, it becomes like a bubble of their world — they eat, sleep, exercise, socialize, and learn all on the school grounds.

Lockers

If you have a heavy schedule and a lot to carry from class to class, your commuter school may offer the benefit of lockers. This way, you can store any unneeded items and switch them out when you go to your next class.

Pros of Being a Commuter Student

Some eager students ready to enroll in college seek the experience of living and studying on campus. For others, the benefits of being a commuter student outweigh the alternative reality.

For commuter students, some of the pros include:

Save money

Campus housing can be incredibly expensive. If you can live at home or find other housing off campus, you can save a lot of money. You can still live with roommates or in a less expensive location close to the campus.

Flexibility

When you live off campus, you have more flexibility of where and how you spend your time. You’ll have expanded options for where you study, eat, and socialize. Additionally, you have the power to choose your own roommate (which isn’t usually the case when you live in a dorm).

Quieter

If you’re someone who appreciates their privacy and distraction-less space, then off-campus housing may be a better fit. Dorms and on-campus apartments can get noisy when students are in the hallways, shared bathrooms, or throwing parties.

Tuition may be lower

Commuter schools that don’t offer on-campus housing tend to have lower tuition. This is because they don’t have to cover the costs to upkeep and maintain the housing units.

Alternative Options

If the benefits of being a commuter student sound appealing, you could even go one step further and enroll in online school.

This way, you will reap most of the same benefits of being a commuter student, plus more. When you attend an online university, you never have to fight for parking or waste time and money commuting in the first place. You can attend all your classes and complete all work and exams online.

Additionally, you can save even more money by attending affordable universities like University of the People, which happens to be tuition-free! The great news is that you will still have a fulfilling college experience as you can connect with students from all around the world.

Committing to Commuting

As a student attending a traditional campus, the choice is yours as to whether or not you commute to campus. Becoming a commuter student has many time-saving and cost-effective benefits.

On the other hand, you can always start off your college experience by living on campus and then trying off-campus housing to finish up your school years. That way, you can get a hybrid experience and see the pro and cons of each situation for yourself.

Alternatively, you can attend online college and save the most money possible while still earning your quality higher education. To find out more about the University of the People’s programs, take a look at our degree options.