Well.... personally, If you can afford it... why not? You are not the only one. When I started photography, I decided on a camera with enough manual function for me to learn and fool around, a camera that I will not out grow quickly. I bought a Minolta Dimage 5... I think at over $1300 when I'm 19. But I'm still using it now, there's still plenty of lessons for me to learn from my camera....
Now, a working adult, not as free as I was when I was a student...
My opinion... If u think U'll pick up photography as a serious hobby, I don't think anyone will stop you...