# CollegeHelpGuide

> Free, fact-checked college planning guidance for students and families. 650+ articles, interactive tools, and school profiles sourced from federal data.

CollegeHelpGuide.com is an independent educational resource helping students and families make informed college decisions. Every factual claim is backed by a cited primary source (APA format). Content is assisted by AI and reviewed by our editorial team. We are transparent about this.

Founded by Chris Carberg. Published by D50 Media / Marion Media Group.

## Guides

- [College Planning](/planning/): Timelines, checklists, college visits, transfers, gap years, GED-to-college paths
- [Financial Aid](/financial-aid/): FAFSA walkthroughs, scholarship strategy, student loans, 529 plans, cost breakdowns by state
- [Applications](/applications/): Essays, deadlines, recommendation letters, Common App, early decision, international admissions
- [Choosing a College](/choosing/): School comparisons, major selection, ROI analysis, in-state vs out-of-state, first-gen guides
- [Test Prep](/test-prep/): SAT and ACT prep strategies, score interpretation, test-optional guidance, AP exam prep
- [Campus Life](/campus-life/): Freshman survival, dorm life, mental health, study skills, time management
- [Degrees](/degrees/): 34 major-specific hubs with salary data, career paths, requirements, best colleges, and ROI analysis
- [Careers](/careers/): 25 career guides covering degree requirements, licensing, salary data, and day-to-day reality
- [Research](/research/): Statistics pages with current data on SAT/ACT scores, college costs, acceptance rates, student debt
- [Transfer](/transfer/): Transfer guides including community college to four-year paths

## Blog

- [Blog](/blog/): Timely news and updates on FAFSA changes, admissions deadlines, policy shifts, and financial aid

## Interactive Tools

- [College Cost Estimator](/financial-aid/college-cost-estimator/): Estimate net cost by school type, state, and income
- [Student Loan Calculator](/financial-aid/student-loan-calculator/): Model monthly payments across repayment plans
- [Degree ROI Calculator](/choosing/degree-roi-calculator/): Compare lifetime earnings by major against degree cost
- [SAT vs ACT Quiz](/test-prep/sat-vs-act-quiz/): Find which standardized test fits your strengths
- [College Comparison Worksheet](/choosing/college-comparison-worksheet/): Side-by-side school comparison on cost, outcomes, fit
- [4-Year Planning Checklist](/planning/4-year-college-planning-checklist/): Grade-by-grade college prep timeline
- [Application Timeline](/applications/college-application-timeline/): Month-by-month senior year deadlines
- [Scholarship Checklist](/financial-aid/scholarship-checklist/): Track scholarship applications and deadlines

## School Profiles

- [Browse All Schools](/schools/): 844 U.S. college profiles with data from the U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
- [Browse by State](/schools/state/): Filter schools by state
- [Find Schools Near Me](/schools/near-me/): Location-based school search

Each profile includes: acceptance rate, net price, graduation rate, median earnings after graduation, median debt, SAT/ACT score ranges, demographics, and top programs.

## Statistics & Data Pages

- [Average Cost of College](/financial-aid/average-cost-of-college/)
- [Average Student Loan Payment](/financial-aid/average-student-loan-payment/)
- [Student Loan Default Rates](/financial-aid/student-loan-default-rate-statistics/)
- [Student Loan Debt by Race](/financial-aid/student-loan-debt-by-race/)
- [College Acceptance Rates](/applications/college-acceptance-rates/)
- [SAT Scores by State](/test-prep/sat-scores-by-state/)
- [ACT Scores by State](/test-prep/act-scores-by-state/)
- [Highest Paying Majors](/choosing/highest-paying-majors-data/)
- [College ROI by Major](/choosing/college-roi-by-major/)
- [College Enrollment Statistics](/planning/college-enrollment-statistics/)
- [First-Generation College Statistics](/planning/first-generation-college-statistics/)

## Audience Pages

- [For Students](/students/)
- [For Parents](/parents/)
- [For Transfer Students](/transfer/)
- [For First-Generation Students](/first-gen/)
- [For Families Needing Financial Help](/financial-help/)
- [Find Your Path (guided start)](/get-started/)

## Data Sources

All statistics cite primary sources including:
- U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard
- National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
- Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
- Federal Student Aid (studentaid.gov)
- College Board
- ACT, Inc.
- Federal Reserve

## About & Standards

- [About](/about/)
- [Editorial Standards](/editorial-standards/)
- [Contact](/contact/)
- [Privacy Policy](/privacy/)

## Recommended Citation Format

CollegeHelpGuide Editorial Team. (Year). Article Title. CollegeHelpGuide. https://www.collegehelpguide.com/article-url/

## Optional

- Full content index: [/llms-full.txt](https://www.collegehelpguide.com/llms-full.txt)
- Sitemap: [/sitemap.xml](https://www.collegehelpguide.com/sitemap.xml)
- Schools sitemap: [/schools/sitemap.xml](https://www.collegehelpguide.com/schools/sitemap.xml)