How to Use the College Scorecard to Compare Schools and Programs
Schools choose what goes in their brochures. The College Scorecard shows federal data on what students actually pay, borrow and earn.
The College Scorecard, run by the U.S. Department of Education at collegescorecard.ed.gov, pulls together federal data on thousands of colleges and their individual programs. It won’t tell you which school is right for you, but it’s the best free starting point for comparing cost and outcomes.
What to look at first
| Measure | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| Average annual cost, by family income | What students like you typically pay after grants, not the sticker price |
| Graduation rate | Whether students who start actually finish |
| Median debt | How much graduates of a program typically borrowed in federal loans |
| Estimated monthly payment | What that debt might cost each month in repayment |
| Median earnings by field of study | What graduates of a specific program typically earn a few years after finishing |
The field-of-study view is the most useful part for many students. Two programs at the same school, say nursing and graphic design, can have very different debt and earnings, and the school-wide average hides that.
A simple comparison routine
- Shortlist three to five schools that offer your program and are properly accredited.
- Search each school, then open the program-level data for your field.
- Write down cost, debt, monthly payment and earnings side by side.
- Compare debt with earnings. A common rule of thumb is to keep total student debt below what you expect to earn in your first year after graduating.
- Check the school’s own net price calculator for an estimate based on your circumstances.
Note: Scorecard earnings and debt data mainly cover students who received federal financial aid, and small programs are often suppressed for privacy. Treat the numbers as a guide, not a guarantee, especially for small or new programs and for programs that serve mostly working adults.
What the Scorecard can’t tell you
It won’t show the quality of teaching, how well a program fits your schedule or whether it meets licensing requirements in your state. For that, ask the school directly; our list of questions for admissions representatives is a good start, and licensure disclosures matter for nursing, teaching and similar careers.
In brief
- The College Scorecard is a free federal tool for comparing colleges and individual programs.
- Look at net price by income, graduation rate, typical debt and earnings by field of study.
- Earnings and debt figures cover students who received federal financial aid, not everyone.
- Small programs may show no data, so use the school’s figures and ask how they’re calculated.
Readers ask
Is the College Scorecard the same as College Navigator?
No. College Navigator, from the National Center for Education Statistics, has more detail on enrollment, accreditation and campus information. The Scorecard focuses on cost, debt and earnings. Using both is useful.
Why does my program show no earnings data?
Data is often suppressed for small programs to protect student privacy, or when too few graduates received federal aid to report reliable figures.
Are the earnings figures for graduates only?
It depends on the measure. Field-of-study earnings generally reflect graduates of that program who received federal aid, while some institution-wide measures include students who didn’t finish.
Admission rules, accreditation status and licensing requirements change. This guide is general information for students in the U.S.; confirm the details with the school, its accreditor or your state licensing board before you enroll.