FAQ's: Private College Financial Health & Viability

Frequently Asked questions

How do I purchase the College Viability App? Click on the College Viability App link above.
Where does the financial information come from? All data used in the App is from the National Center for Education Statistics and its IPEDS database.
Where can I learn more? There are a series of videos posted on YouTube that compares the the financial health and viability of private colleges. Here is a link to the channel.
Why would I need the College Viability App? There are many private colleges without the financial resources to ensure they will remain open for the 4-6 years it takes students to graduate. The App lets you easily compare which ones are riskier choices than others.
How much does the App cost? The basic 2025 version is $59. It's important to note that choosing a college that doesn't survive can cost tens of thousands of dollars. Here is a worksheet to help you estimate how much you could lose if a college closes.
How will I understand the information? There is a page on the app that gives you basic definition of each of the six comparisons the app provides. There is also a video tutorial here.
Can you really predict when a college will close? Absolutely not. There is no reliable way to do that. We simply let you compare a private college's data over a 6-year period. For example, if one college you are considering had an enrollment decrease over 6 years and the other an enrollment increase, it is fair to make a judgement that one is doing better than the other. The same could apply to graduation rates. If one has a 75% graduation rate and the other is at 45%, which would you prefer? The College Viability App lets you create customized comparisons of these factors and more . It's your judgement at the end. We just provide the easy-to-use tool.

FAQ's: Private College Financial Health & Viability

Frequently Asked questions

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