GradFax is a free college search platform (sometimes called "Carfax for colleges") that shows federal data from IPEDS and the College Scorecard for 6,000+ accredited U.S. institutions, with no sponsored rankings. Students search in plain language, compare schools side-by-side, and see real graduation rates, real net costs, and real post-graduation earnings. No ads. No paid placements. Free to search, forever.
A clearer way to choose a college
Search real schools, compare what students pay, and see outcomes before you decide.
Explore a real schoolFeatured school
Tempe, Arizona · Public · Four-year
Sources: IPEDS and College Scorecard. School averages, not a personal quote.
View school →No more jumping between 10 different sites.
Just getting started? Take the major quiz. Know what you want? Search now. Ready to apply? Check your chances.
For most people, this is the first major financial decision of their life. The effects last decades.
$50-90
Per Application
12 schools = $720 in fees.
Typical published rate, not government-verified
$68+
SAT or ACT
12 schools = $180 (incl. score sends).
Typical published rate, not government-verified
$25+$16
CSS Profile
10 schools = $169.
Typical published rate, not government-verified
$99
Per AP Exam
5 exams = $495.
Typical published rate, not government-verified
Realistic Total
$1,564
$720 + $180 + $169 + $495 from above. Before tuition.
Colleges spend billions to shape how you see them. GradFax pulls from federal data instead.
$2B+
Spent yearly on college marketing
$2,795
Spent recruiting each private-school student
$0
What GradFax costs you
Real data. No ads. No sponsored rankings. Free forever.
Start Your Search“Affordable engineering in a warm city”
Schools ranked by fit, with explanations
Side-by-side, then make an informed choice
Every number is cited, and the core data comes straight from federal databases
No paid rankings. No advertising influence.
Built for students and parents who deserve honest information.
Built by Josh, a student who thought the system was broken.
Verified IPEDS & College Scorecard data. Net price shown (after average grant aid). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment.
| School | Acceptance Rate | Net Price / Year | Median Earnings (10yr) |
|---|---|---|---|
| MIT | 4.5% | $20,996 | $143,372 |
| Harvard | 3.6% | $17,525 | $101,817 |
| Stanford | 3.6% | $25,078 | $124,080 |
| UCLA | 9% | $14,512 | $82,511 |
| Duke | 5.7% | $21,981 | $97,800 |
| University of Michigan | 15.6% | $17,574 | $83,648 |
| Georgia Tech | 14.1% | $15,918 | $102,772 |
| Northeastern | 5.2% | $34,207 | $92,538 |
Source: IPEDS 2024 and College Scorecard. Catalog refreshed 2026-07-26. Search all 6,000+ schools on GradFax →
