I'm a home-owning medical student. It's six-to-one, half-a-dozen-to-the-other. You might come out ahead financially, you might not. It all depends on how much upkeep is required and how the market plays out. Also, you never plan for the air-conditioner to fail during the record heat wave of the decade, but stuff like that happens (and from personal experience, that scenario is not cheap either).
I like having my own place. I don't worry when I crank up my guitar and jam away to relieve stress. Neighbors have to really go out of their way to disturb me while I'm studying. It's great for my family. This address puts us in a great school district. The kids play in the yard. My wife gardens. The garage has plenty of room for our cars and my motorcycle. You know, normal suburbia.
But, after the new furnace, air-conditioner, deck, siding, gutters, etc., etc., etc., my home-ownership has definitely not been cheaper than renting. More satisfying, but not cheaper.