Guides
Plain, practical help for families: what colleges really cost, what graduates earn, and how to build a list.
Choosing a college
Sticker price vs. net price: what families actually pay
The published sticker price is not what most families pay. Here is how net price works, how to read it for your income, and where to find the lowest prices.
Reading earnings and debt numbers
What “median earnings ten years after entry” and “median federal debt at graduation” mean in the federal College Scorecard data, and the limits of each number.
Building a balanced college list
How to sort colleges into reach, target and likely schools, use the fit labels and admission rates honestly, and keep the cost of each one in view.
How the Compass Score and Value work
The eight parts of the Compass Score, the three parts of the Value score, the scales each one uses, and the rules for when a college gets a score.
Visiting colleges and the questions to ask
How to plan a campus visit, what to look for beyond the tour, and the questions to ask admissions, financial aid, students and career services.