College Guides: Choosing, Costs, Admissions and Aid
Plain guides to choosing a college, net price, public vs private, acceptance rates, graduation rates, student debt and financial aid offers.
How to choose a collegeA practical way to choose a college: set a real budget with net price, check graduation rates and earnings, match your scores and compare...
Public vs private collegePublic vs private colleges compared with federal data: sticker price, net price by income, graduation rates, earnings and debt.
In-state vs out-of-state tuitionOut-of-state students pay a median of $21,646 in tuition at public universities, against $10,310 for in-state students. Here is what that...
What is net price?Net price is what college costs after grants and scholarships. Learn how it is calculated, how it changes with family income and where to...
What is a good SAT score?A good SAT score depends on your target schools. At the median 4-year college that reports scores, the middle SAT score is about 1175. Se...
College acceptance rates, explainedThe median acceptance rate at 4-year colleges is 77%. Learn what acceptance rates measure, why low rates mislead, and how to judge your r...
College graduation rates, explainedThe median six-year graduation rate at 4-year colleges is 55%. Learn how graduation rates are measured and how to use them when you choos...
Student loan debt by collegeThe median federal loan debt of graduates is $21,625 at 4-year colleges and $12,000 at 2-year colleges. See how your schools compare.
Community college vs universityCommunity colleges cost far less: a median net price of $7,502 vs $14,262 at public universities. Compare costs, completion and earnings.
How to compare financial aid offersAid letters mix grants, loans and work-study. Here is how to work out the real cost of each offer and compare schools fairly.
How to appeal a financial aid offerIf a college's aid offer is too low or your finances changed, you can ask for a review. The steps, what counts as a special circumstance,...
CSS Profile explainedThe CSS Profile is a second aid form some colleges use for their own grants. Who needs it, what it costs, fee waivers and how it differs ...
Parent PLUS loans explainedNew Parent PLUS loans are capped at $20,000 a year and $65,000 per student from July 1, 2026. Rates, fees, repayment changes and what par...
Trade school vs collegeTrade schools cost less and take less time, but pay depends heavily on the trade. Compare 2,123 trade schools with community colleges and...
How much does trade school cost?Median trade school tuition is $4,761 a year at public schools and $17,000 at for-profit schools. See net price by family income and how ...
Highest-paying tradesHeavy equipment mechanic tops the list: certificate graduates earned $67,167 four years out. See 19 trades ranked by federal earnings data.
How to choose a trade schoolSeven checks before you sign up for a trade program: licensing, completion, graduate earnings, total cost, public alternatives and more, ...
FAFSA guideThe 2027-28 FAFSA opened September 23, 2026. Key dates, what you need, how Pell Grants work and tips for parents and students.
Early decision vs early actionEarly decision is binding; early action is not. How each works, typical deadlines, and when applying early makes sense for students and p...
College application timelineA month-by-month college application timeline for juniors, seniors and parents: tests, lists, essays, early deadlines, the FAFSA and Deci...
College packing listA printable college packing list and dorm checklist: bedding, bathroom, desk, tech, kitchen, laundry, health and paperwork, plus what not...
Highest-paying majorsMathematics and Computer Science tops the list at $137,218 four years after graduation. See 25 majors ranked by federal earnings data.
Is grad school worth it?Compare what graduates of MBA, law, medical, nursing, PA and other programs earn and borrow, plus the new 2026 federal grad loan limits.