There are many housing options available to students today. When you make a college visit , it's a good idea to check these out. They can range from small cubicles with hall baths to fairly plush apartment style quarters.
Some colleges have different housing options available to upperclassmen.
Look for ease of access to classes, safety , and little things like laundry facilities. As for meal plans - some schools require them, others don't. Food varies greatly on college campuses - anything from survival quality to gourmet chef model. At some schools, a meal plan means a cafeteria style service at posted times. Others have debit cards where meals are deducted from a deposited balance and more places to eat than a food court at a big mall.