One of the most troubling realities of higher education is the cost associated with earning a college degree. College is not cheap. However, the benefits of education often outweigh the temporary financial burden of affordability. Although research varies, most studies suggest that with a college education, you can earn upwards of a 60% higher salary.

While earning a college degree can help position you for long-term financial independence, in doing so you most likely will join the nearly 44.7 million Americans who incur student debt. A combined total of $1.52 trillion of US student debt equates to the average college graduate having more than $32,000 in unpaid expenses. Beyond the purchase of a house, that is the most amount of money that you will most likely spend on any one single item in your entire lifetime. Understanding how to both minimize and manage your student debt is therefore essential.

How are you planning on paying for college? Although you probably join the 97% of people who believe that college is an investment in your future, you also might be part of the 50% of people who have no plan on how to pay for college. Don’t worry, we are here to help reduce your anxiety! Our Collegescape experts are prepared to show you a cost-benefit analysis of higher education, help you create a budget and prepare for the costs associated with college, and help you explore financial assistance options that are available to you. Throughout this process, our ultimate goal is to help you become financially literate and therefore be able to enjoy a lifetime of financial wellbeing.