About VestedGrad

We're on a mission to make college decisions transparent, data-driven, and accessible to every family.

Our Mission

College is the single largest financial decision most families make—yet it's often made with incomplete information, marketing spin, and guesswork. Parents deserve better.

VestedGrad was built to change that. We believe every family should have access to the same data-driven insights that financial advisors and elite college counselors use—without the $10,000 price tag.

Our platform transforms complex federal data into clear, actionable intelligence: real net prices for your income bracket, earnings projections by major, debt scenarios, and value comparisons. No fluff. No sales pitch. Just the numbers you need to decide confidently.

The Problem We're Solving

Sticker prices are meaningless: A $70,000/year school might cost your family $15,000 after aid, while a $30,000 school costs $28,000. You can't tell from websites.

The real value is invisible: That prestigious liberal arts degree might lead to $45k/year jobs and $80k debt. Federal data exists—but it's buried in spreadsheets.

Comparisons are painful: Juggling 5+ schools with different aid packages, loan scenarios, and career outcomes? Parents use Excel. Or guesswork.

How VestedGrad Works

Federal Data

We pull directly from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard—1,300+ schools, 15,000+ programs, real earnings data.

Smart Modeling

Our algorithms calculate net prices for YOUR income, project debt scenarios, and show you when each degree pays for itself with payoff timelines.

Clear Insights

Side-by-side comparisons, visual timelines, and customizable scenarios. See exactly what each path means for your family's future.

Our Values

Transparency First

We never hide data sources, methodology, or limitations. Every number on VestedGrad links back to federal sources. If data is incomplete or privacy-suppressed, we tell you.

Privacy Matters

We don't sell your data. We don't share your financial info with colleges. We don't use dark patterns. Your simulations are yours—period.

No Bias, No Sales Pitch

VestedGrad has no relationships with colleges, lenders, or admissions consultants. We don't get paid if you pick expensive schools. Our only job is giving you the truth.

Accessible to All

College data shouldn't be gatekept behind $10,000 consulting fees. Our core tools are free forever. Premium features are priced for normal families, not hedge fund managers.

Why This Matters

Student debt in the U.S. exceeds $1.7 trillion. The average borrower graduates with $30,000 in loans. Yet families still make college decisions based on campus tours, brochures, and gut feelings.

Meanwhile, earnings outcomes vary wildly. A computer science degree from a public university might pay for itself many times over. An art history degree from a private school might never pay off. Both cost $200,000+.

We built VestedGrad because every family deserves to see these trade-offs before signing the loan papers.

Our Data Sources

U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard

Institution data, net prices by income bracket, median earnings by program, completion rates, debt statistics

IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System)

Program-level completions, institutional characteristics, enrollment data

Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)

Regional cost of living adjustments, occupation earnings data

Note: All data sources are free, publicly available, and updated regularly by federal agencies. We do not purchase or license proprietary data.

Who VestedGrad Is For

✓ Parents Planning for College

Model different scenarios (scholarships, state schools vs. private, in-state vs. out-of-state) with real net prices for your income.

✓ High School Students Deciding

See which majors have strong earnings data, compare value ratings across programs, and understand how much of your income would go to loan payments before committing.

✓ College-Bound Adults

Returning to school? Evaluate whether a career change or advanced degree makes financial sense with payoff timelines.

✓ Counselors & Advisors

Equip your students with data-driven insights. Show families the financial reality behind different college paths.

Built by People Who Care

VestedGrad was created by a team who saw the college decision process firsthand—the stress, the information asymmetry, the financial anxiety. We built the tool we wished existed when we were making these decisions.

We're developers, data scientists, and former students who understand both the technical challenge of wrangling federal datasets and the human challenge of choosing a college without regret.

Ready to Make Smarter College Decisions?

Join thousands of families using VestedGrad to compare colleges, model debt scenarios, and choose programs with their eyes wide open.

Get Started Free

No credit card required. Free forever for basic features.