While some of the fancy stuff may be over the top, college in the US has always been more than just academics. My eldest works out at the nice rec center. It would be really nice if the school had a softball field (no DI team, but a club team using a city converted soccer field - artificial turf outfield so no metal cleats).
Middle kid is still considering playing ball if she goes to a DIII school, and all of the DIIIs she likes are in cold climates. She would appreciate nice indoor athletic facilities for winter workouts. She also likes the water park facilities at warmer climate schools. When she heard one kid at her school had decided on Alabama, she asked if that was the school with the good water slide. Yes it is (lazy river too!), and if that piques her interest in a school that would give her full tuition+ - then that is fine with Mom and Dad.
As for sushi - even our public schools serve sushi in the middle school and high school. It isn't a 24 hour sushi bar - not yet.
That said, my eldest chose her school for academics, and middle kid will too. However, if the academics are equal, the fancy stuff could tip things in favor of one school for middle kid.
