Features That Put Families First
Transparent data, powerful scores, and actionable insights to help you find the best-value colleges for your budget.
Core Metrics
Two Scores. Complete Clarity.
We cut through the noise with data you can trust.
Value Score
Is This Investment Worth It?
Shows earning power per dollar invested. A score of 5.0 means graduates earn $5 in their 10th year for every $1 spent on college.
Formula:
Value Score = Median Earnings (10 years) ÷ Net Price
Example:
MIT's Value Score is 11.2 — exceptional earnings ($112,900) vs. net cost ($10,000).
Generosity Score
How Much Aid Do They Really Give?
Measures how much colleges discount their sticker price through grants and scholarships. Higher scores mean more generous aid.
Formula:
Generosity Score = Institutional Aid ÷ Cost of Attendance
Fallback to tuition discount, then COA proxy when grants aren't reported (capped at 100%).
Example:
Grinnell College's Generosity Score is 76% — they're committed to affordability through massive institutional aid.
Together, these scores answer:
"Which colleges deliver strong outcomes" (Value Score) and
"Which colleges are most generous in making those outcomes affordable" (Generosity Score)
Complete Toolkit
Everything You Need to Compare Colleges
College Search & Rankings
Search the full College Aid Index directory and see instant Value and Generosity Scores. Compare schools side-by-side with real federal data.
Detailed PDF Reports
Generate comprehensive reports with Value Rankings, Generosity Rankings, peer comparisons, and counselor-ready insights.
Sort & Filter
Sort and filter all colleges by Value Score and Generosity Score. Discover hidden gem schools with exceptional ROI.
Customizable Comparisons Coming Soon
Filter by region, college type, and selectivity today, with size and program filters on the way so you can tailor every list.
Official Federal Data
All data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS—not marketing materials or self-reported surveys.
Transparent Methodology
All formulas published and documented. You can verify calculations independently—no secret algorithms.
Detailed Reports
What's Included in the Navigator Plan ($39/one-time)
Full access to the College Aid Index data, the College Spreadsheet Tracker, and a polished PDF report.
- ✅ Full College Aid Index Data Table: Filter and sort all schools by Value Score and Generosity Score, with median earnings and net price data.
- ✅ Custom PDF Reports: Generate polished reports for up to 50 colleges at a time based on your selections (5 reports with Navigator).
- ✅ College Spreadsheet Tracker: Included with Navigator to organize applications, deadlines, and cost notes.
- ✅ Side-by-Side Comparisons: Compare schools using the sortable data table to find the best value for your budget.
- ✅ Methodology Transparency: Full explanation of how scores are calculated using federal data.
- ✅ Professional PDF Reports: Clean, data-driven format suitable for sharing with counselors and family discussions.
Why You Can Trust These Scores
Official Federal Data
All data from U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard and IPEDS—not marketing materials or self-reported surveys.
Transparent Methodology
All formulas published and documented. You can verify calculations independently—no secret algorithms.
No Conflicts of Interest
We don't sell leads to colleges. We don't accept advertising. We work for families, not institutions.
Ready to Find Your Best-Value Colleges?
Sign up today, then use the Navigator plan ($39/one-time) to search and for the College Spreadsheet Tracker and polished PDF reports.