Separate verified facts from personal fit
Tuition, aid, program availability and graduation outcomes are factual inputs that should come from authoritative sources. Campus feel, distance preference and environment are personal criteria.
Use net cost rather than sticker price
If comparing affordability, enter the actual financial-aid scenario relevant to the student rather than a headline tuition number.
Avoid ranking-score theater
The tool does not scrape rankings or create a universal college score. It ranks only the criteria and weights you explicitly enter.
Revisit weights after visits and offers
Preferences can change when admission decisions, aid offers and campus visits provide better information. Keep the exported matrix editable.