Applying to Colleges With Low Affordability

 The College Affordability Rating is a Tool, Not A Rule

With the emphasis we put on affordability, you might think we would tell you never apply to a college with a low affordability score. This would seem to make sense, but it is important to understand that the affordability rating is just another tool you have to compare schools and is not intended to rule out any particular college or university.

Affordability Ratings Are a Way to Quickly Compare Colleges and Universities
One of the best uses of the affordability rating is as a comparison tool. Our rating system provides you with immediate feedback on various schools and is another for you to identify differences between the many colleges and universities that are out there.

Follow the One-to-One Application Rule
If a school with a poor affordability rating is high on your wish list, go ahead and apply to that university. Just be sure to cover your bases and apply to a comparable college which has a better affordability score. For example, maybe you really want to apply to Wright State University in Ohio (which does not have a very good affordability rating). The solution is to apply to a similar school that does have a good affordability rating like Wittenberg University in Ohio, as well.

Allows You to Make More Informed Decisions About Your Higher Education
Many students make decisions about college based on incomplete or faulty information or without fully realizing the significant financial investment that is being made. Our college affordability rating system provides you with one more piece of the financial aid puzzle. You can compare the cost-effectiveness of various schools and quantify the cost differential between attending University A as opposed to University B. Armed with this information, you may still decide to attend a more expensive college but hopefully, in part because of our affordability ratings, you will have a better understanding of the financial costs associated with that decision.