GradFax: Free College Search Platform

GradFax is a free college search platform (sometimes called "Carfax for colleges") that shows verified 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.

Verified data from IPEDS & College Scorecard
6,000+ schools. IPEDS 2024 verified data.

The college search that works for students, not schools.

Real graduation rates. Real costs. Real outcomes. Sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard, and U.S. federal databases. See how we verify it →

MIT real net cost: $18,050/yr, not $80KNYU grads earn $62,400 median: 10yr outAverage college counselor fee: $5,000+UCLA acceptance rate: 9% verified by IPEDSUSC net cost for families <$75K: ~$22,000/yrUF grad rate: 91%, federal data, not marketingNortheastern co-op earnings: $71,800 median 10yr6,000+ schools. Zero paid rankings.Yale net cost for families <$65K: $0Penn State out-of-state: $47,882 sticker, $22K after aid
Scroll to browse|No Greek LifeBest for First-GenBig City SchoolsLow Debt, High EarningsBest for Pre-MedMost DiverseSmall Class SizesAffordable PrivateBest STEM Colleges

Everything You Need, One Platform

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.

Students searching
Search

Natural language search across 6,000+ schools. Just describe what you want.

Search Free
Students comparing
Compare

Side-by-side with color-coded stats. See who wins on cost, outcomes, lifestyle.

Try it
Student
Scholarships

11,000+ verified scholarships matched to you. Real money, not a maybe.

Find Scholarships

Map Search

See all schools on an interactive map.

Cost Calculator

Estimate your real college costs.

My List

Save schools, add notes, compare later.

GPA Planner

Project your GPA through graduation.

Am I In Range?

Check your admit odds at any school.

Fit Assessment

Deep profile match across 50+ factors.

The True Cost of Applying to College

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

Plus $14/score send.

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

$3,000 - $7,000+

Before tuition.

Calculate Your True Cost

How GradFax Stays Free

Schools verify their profiles. Core search is always free. See exactly how the money works.

Learn more →

How GradFax Compares

See how we stack up against other college search platforms.

See the comparison →

Your Future Deserves Facts, Not Marketing

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
No paid rankings. No ads. No BS. See how we're different →

How Does GradFax Work?

  1. 1

    Describe What You Want

    “Affordable engineering in a warm city”

  2. 2

    Get Real Matches

    Schools ranked by fit, with explanations

  3. 3

    Compare and Decide

    Side-by-side, then make an informed choice

The Real Grad Facts

Why Choose GradFax Over Other College Search Sites?

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.

Compare Top Colleges: Acceptance Rate, Cost & Earnings

Verified IPEDS & College Scorecard data. Net price shown (after average grant aid). Median earnings 10 years after enrollment.

SchoolAcceptance RateNet Price / YearMedian Earnings (10yr)
MIT4.5%$20,996$143,372
Harvard3.6%$17,525$101,817
Stanford3.6%$25,078$124,080
UCLA9%$14,512$82,511
Duke5.7%$21,981$97,800
University of Michigan15.6%$17,574$83,648
Georgia Tech14.1%$15,918$102,772
Northeastern5.2%$34,207$92,538

Source: IPEDS 2024 and College Scorecard. Catalog refreshed 2026-07-26. Search all 6,000+ schools on GradFax →

Start here →
GradFax is a free college search platform built on verified IPEDS 2024 data covering 6,000+ accredited institutions. No sponsored rankings, no ads, no data selling. Tuition, acceptance rates, graduation rates, and campus details sourced directly from the U.S. Department of Education.