It’s not a huge part, but it is a part. Sort of. Depends what you mean by dating. I had a number of loves at college, although only one became a lover. I think that having relationships with other people of your choice is an important part of college. It helps you develop in ways you may not have developed before.
There are colleges where partying is the thing. Lot’s of hookups and no serious relationships. Obviously, this is a relative thing, since even party schools have people in serious relationships. It’s just that the parties get all the press.
But in the end, it’s up to you. If you want to work hard at your studies. Do that. If not, do what you need to to get by, and enjoy the social life. I went to one of the better colleges in the US, and that’s what I did. I did just enough to get by (A-s and B+s), but the main focus for me was having a good relationship with a girl I was smitten by.
In finding these girls, I had relationships with several others, but I don’t think I ever dated. It was always group kinds of things. So, if by dating, you mean a guy asks you out and you get all dolled up, and do the pseudo-romantic clicheed thing, then I would say it’s not a big deal. But if you mean having friends and getting close to some, and falling in love, then I’d say that is important, but not more important than anything else you go to college for.