[nilkn]

This has long ceased to be true at many American universities. The dorms command a premium because they're on-campus (short walk to class and dining halls, many of which are right in the dorms) and they foster an integrated social environment that you can't fully appreciate when living off-campus typically.

Dorms are also becoming increasingly luxurious in some cases. In my old college suite, we had maids come by every morning to take out our trash and recycling and every weekend they'd thoroughly clean the entire bathroom, shower, sinks, and toilet. Just to be clear, these were private bathrooms in individual suites that they'd clean, not just the shared communal bathrooms.