What’s Broken About the College Search?

• It’s driven by emotion instead of logic. Families often focus on brand-name schools without understanding their real costs or how aid works.

• Rankings are misleading. The U.S. News & World Report doesn’t know your family, your student, or your financial situation. Yet many decisions are made based on arbitrary prestige.

• Cost transparency is lacking. The advertised “sticker price” rarely reflects what families actually pay—but most never learn how to calculate the true net price.

• Families aren’t comparing the right things. Instead of comparing out-of-pocket costs or average aid, they compare mascots, dorms, or sports programs.

Here’s How to Do It Right

• Start with financial fit. Find schools where your student is likely to receive the most need-based and merit aid. Aid policies vary widely from school to school.

• Build a list based on return on investment. Consider career outcomes, graduation rates, and real costs—not brand reputation.

• Use tools that reveal net price, not just sticker price. This gives you an apples-to-apples comparison of what a school will actually cost your family.

• Involve a planning expert early. We help families sort through the noise and uncover high-value schools that are generous with aid.

Better Strategy. Better Outcomes.

Families that follow this smarter approach to the college search not only save tens of thousands in tuition—they also reduce stress and increase the odds of finding the right academic, financial, and social fit.

We’ve helped over 30,000 families through this process, and on average, they save $80,000 on a four-year degree. This isn’t luck—it’s strategy.

Contact Us Today:
Want help building a smarter college list that maximizes aid and opportunity?

📞 Call us at 770-662-8510
📅 Schedule a free consultation: Book with Jarad
Or visit our Contact Page: https://diversifiedcollegeplanning.com/contact-us/