<p>Look at post #5. The definition of commuter varies with official and unofficial views. UW-Madison is not a commuter school despite the current trend for nonfreshmen to not live in dorms. There are also private dorms. </p>
<p>You also need to consider the weekends- suitcase mentality or staying on campus one. Distances of 2 hours may not phase some. Eons ago UW (Madison) was definitely busy on the weekends, not just formal activities, but with crowds at both Unions. Visiting a friend back then (times have changed, and many WI residents are at U of M) when she started grad school at U of Minn there were far fewer people on campus weekends despite it being a large flagship school.We were used to a dynamic weekend on campus doing nothing formal, it was surprising to not see people hanging out there/then. My home was 8 miles from campus back then but there was no way I would have missed out on the evenings (nights) and weekends like the friend whose family home was walking distance.</p>
<p>A clue may also lie the the parking options and costs. Dorms with plenty of free parking encourage students to have cars and an easier time going home weekends (parents who transport kids will balk at the double round trips). Schools with a lot of parking relative to the student population are likely to have more living away from the campus area commuters. Checking on weekend dorm food as mentioned can help.</p>