I can't say my experience will directly advise you as I am agnostic. However, I moved to a big university city in June (there are 5 separate universities here), I'm of student age, though not yet a university student myself. Most of my friends are university students. I don't drink and I don't have a lot of money to eat out a lot of the time. I'm pretty introverted. I met my best friend on a Facebook group. She's quiet and hardworking like me and so she keeps nice company, and through her I have become friends with her friends. I've also introduced her to people I've met along the way. We go to free events, public lectures, student music recitals, and cheap movies when they're on, etc. We go on walks and jogging together. We study together in the library (I'm at college). They live in student accommodation, I live in a flat, so even though I live 'alone' I don't really feel lonely because I have made friends and they're only ever a WhatsApp away. Sometimes they come over to my place & we eat pizza and watch TV/Netflix.
What I'm trying to say is, maybe avoid living in halls, and otherwise, be true to yourself, you will be guided towards people who share your interests.
Hope this helps xx