Use tools like a deal analyzer to double-check.Start Small: It doesn’t have to be a grand slam.

from your experience do you know if appraisers would choose closer comps but adjust a different search criteria such as a lower br/ba criteria and adjust the arv by 5-10k on a lower lower room or bathroom count or would they prefer a property further out just to match that criteria. this is probably a case by case basis.

it's a nice, expensive place to live but tougher to house hack unless you buy a big house and rent out individual rooms.)also, as @Jonathan Greene alluded to, the more you're willing to sacrifice, the better it will work. 

Then moved out and we're sharing another house hack with less than $200 out of pocket monthly for utilities and internet while using 3 bedrooms and a bonus room for ourselves.

And the number of accommodations/rooms in the area doesn't meet demand already, and it's only going to increase.

You even graduated from IU so you have access to some awesome loan programs from IUCreditUnion.Keep your job and connections to buy a house, then rent out rooms to traveling nurses. 

If your student loans are only 3-5% interest, that's pretty good so I think it's okay to pay those off over time.It sounds like you're making good income with your current employer and there is room to grow, so I'd plan to stay with that job until you can pay your high interest loans off and save enough for a down payment for your first property.

Now at times I'll go in on a share on something, not a hotel room but you get my drift. 

A $345,500 purchase price with an ARV of $625,000 gives you a lot of room for profit, even after rehab costs.

A restaurant or café with outdoor dining could thrive in this environment (there are not so many around the area), benefiting from the steady local traffic while also enhancing the appeal of the residential units.