Quick Answers to Common Questions

The Value Score shows how much earning power you get for each dollar invested in college. It's calculated as: Median Earnings (10-year) ÷ Average Net Price. A score of 5.0 means graduates earn $5 in their 10th year post-enrollment for every $1 spent on college. This helps you identify colleges where the investment actually pays off, regardless of prestige or sticker price.

Example: MIT has a Value Score of 7.24 ($143,372 earnings ÷ $19,813 net price = exceptional ROI).

The Generosity Score shows how much of the bill a college covers with its own aid. It's calculated as: Institutional Grant Aid ÷ Average Net Price (capped at 100%), with a tuition-discount/COA fallback when grants aren't reported. A 65% score means the college typically covers 65% of net price through its own grants.

High generosity (60%+) indicates the college invests heavily in making education affordable and is more likely to negotiate aid packages.

U.S. News rankings measure prestige (selectivity, reputation, resources). We measure value and generosity using federal data. You can't spend prestige—you need to know if the investment pays off (Value Score) and if the college will make it affordable (Generosity Score). Our scores answer: "Is this worth it?" not "Is this selective?"

3.0+ is solid value, 5.0+ is excellent, 7.0+ is exceptional. But context matters—compare schools within the same category (public vs. private, engineering vs. liberal arts). Engineering schools naturally score higher due to career outcomes. Always compare similar institutions.

Use them in three phases:

1. Discovery: Filter colleges by minimum Value Score (e.g., 3.0+) to find good investments
2. Application: Target generous colleges (60%+ Generosity Score) for better aid packages
3. Decision: Compare offers using both scores together to identify best overall value

Yes. Generous colleges (60%+ Generosity Score) are more likely to negotiate. Use our data to compare offers from peer institutions and present evidence-based appeals. Example: "School A (Value Score 6.0, Generosity 65%) offered me $X. Your Value Score is similar (5.8), but your offer is lower. Can we discuss?"

See our Help Center article on negotiation strategies →

Yes. All data comes from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS reporting—official federal sources, not marketing materials. Our methodology is fully transparent and reproducible. We don't accept advertising or sell leads to colleges. We work for families, not institutions.

We use the most recent College Scorecard data (2023-24 academic year), updated annually each fall when federal data is released. Earnings data reflects graduates from 10 years prior—the most reliable measure of mid-career outcomes. This ensures accuracy over recency.

Not exactly. Net price is an average across all aid recipients. Your actual price depends on your family income and the college's aid formula. Use our scores for comparison, then get personalized estimates from each college's Net Price Calculator. Our data shows you which colleges are generous—your actual offer will vary.

Start simple:

1. Search for colleges you're considering
2. Note their Value Score and Generosity Score
3. Identify any surprises (hidden gems or overpriced schools)
4. Use our Help Center guide to compare offers when you receive them

No. Every family deserves transparency about value and generosity. Whether you're targeting Ivy League schools or regional state universities, these scores help you make informed decisions with your budget. College affordability is for everyone, not just high achievers.