Stop Guessing: Why We Built the College Aid Index™ Report
Parents told us they were tired. Tired of spending 20 minutes on a "Net Price Calculator" for every single college, only to get a vague estimate. Tired of spreadsheets. Tired of the anxiety that they might be overpaying. So we built something simpler.
The Problem with "Sticker Price"
Colleges are one of the only purchases where the price tag is meaningless. A college listed at $80,000 might actually cost you $15,000. Another listed at $40,000 might cost you $40,000. Without data, you can't tell the difference until it's too late.
Enter the Two Scores
The College Aid Index™ boils down federal data into two clear metrics:
1. The Value Score report (ROI)
Formula: Median 10-Year Earnings ÷ Net Price.
This tells you: "For every dollar I put in, how much do I get out?"
A Value Score of 7.0+ is exceptional. It means graduates earn back their cost quickly.
A score below 3.0 suggests you should proceed with caution.
2. The Generosity Score (Affordability)
Formula: Institutional Grant Aid ÷ Net Price.
This tells you: "How hard does this college try to make it affordable?"
A Generosity Score of 65% means the school covers a huge portion of costs with its own money.
A score of 10% means you're on your own.
What We Built
We considered building another complex app. But parents said, "Just give me the data I can work with."
So we created the College Aid Index™ with three key components:
- Full Data Table: Access Value and Generosity Scores for all schools with filters and sorting.
- Custom PDF Reports: Generate polished reports for up to 50 colleges based on your selections (included with annual plans).
- College Spreadsheet Tracker: Organize applications, deadlines, and cost notes throughout the admissions year (Navigator and Scholar plans).
Flexible Plans for Every Family
We offer three subscription tiers to fit your needs:
- Pathfinder ($12/mo): Access the full data table with manual PDF printing and best-effort email support.
- Navigator ($69/yr): Best value annual plan with the spreadsheet tracker, 1 custom PDF report (up to 50 colleges), and 4–5 day support.
- Scholar ($149/yr): Premium plan with up to 5 custom PDF reports (up to 50 colleges each) and 2–3 day priority support.
Get Started Today
Stop wasting hours on calculators. Get instant access to the data you need to make confident college decisions.
All plans include a 90-day money-back guarantee.