Written by Julie McCaulley
Julie McCaulley is a seasoned journalist and editor with more than 15 years of experience in the media industry. Throughout her career, she has worked as a writer, photographer, and editor, developing a versatile skill set and a sharp eye for quality content.
Learn more about CVO’s Editorial Guidelines →
Edited by Toni Noe
Toni Noe' is a copywriter and editorial manager with over a decade of experience. Based in Nashville, she's passionate about helping students discover that turning your passion into a career isn't just a dream—it's possible with the right information and guidance.
Learn more about CVO’s Editorial Guidelines → Reviewed according toCVO’s Editorial Guidelines
At College Values Online, we believe choosing a college should be based on facts, not marketing. Our methodology combines verified federal data, transparent ranking criteria, and rigorous editorial standards to help you make informed decisions about your education. Every ranking, guide, and recommendation on our site is built on the same foundation: putting student value first.
How We Rank Programs
Our rankings aren’t based on reputation surveys or institutional prestige. Instead, we focus on measurable outcomes that directly impact your educational investment and career prospects.
Primary Ranking Factors
Affordability & Net Cost We analyze the true cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and living expenses, minus the average financial aid package. This “net price” gives you a realistic picture of what you’ll actually pay—not just the sticker price.
Graduation Rates Completion matters. We weight programs based on their graduation rates because finishing your degree is essential to seeing a return on your investment.
Student Outcomes What happens after graduation? We examine median earnings, employment rates, and loan repayment statistics to assess whether graduates are achieving financial stability.
Return on Investment (ROI) By comparing program costs against post-graduation earnings, we calculate which programs deliver the strongest financial returns over time.
Accessibility For online and hybrid programs, we evaluate flexibility factors including asynchronous options, part-time availability, and support services for working adults.
Variant-Specific Criteria
Different students have different priorities. That’s why we create specialized rankings with tailored criteria:
- Most Affordable: Weighted heavily toward net price and availability of financial aid
- Fastest Programs: Emphasizes accelerated formats, credit-for-experience policies, and competency-based options
- No GRE/GMAT Required: Filters for programs with flexible admissions requirements
- Best for Working Adults: Prioritizes asynchronous delivery, employer partnerships, and prior learning assessment
Our Data Sources
We rely exclusively on verified, authoritative data sources—never self-reported institutional claims or paid placements.
Federal Data Systems
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) Maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics, IPEDS provides comprehensive data on enrollment, graduation rates, institutional characteristics, finances, and staffing for every Title IV institution in the United States.
College Scorecard The U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard offers program-level earnings data, student debt figures, and completion rates drawn from federal financial aid records and tax data.
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) For career-related content, we reference BLS data on occupational employment, wage estimates, and projected job growth through their Occupational Outlook Handbook and Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics programs.
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) Beyond IPEDS, NCES provides broader educational research, surveys, and longitudinal studies that inform our understanding of student outcomes and institutional effectiveness.
Accreditation Verification
We verify institutional and programmatic accreditation through:
- The Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA)
- The U.S. Department of Education’s Database of Accredited Postsecondary Institutions and Programs
- Individual programmatic accrediting bodies (AACSB, CACREP, CCNE, ABET, etc.)
Editorial Standards
Human-First Content
Every piece of content on College Values Online is created with students in mind—not search engines. Our editorial team ensures that:
- Content answers real questions students are asking
- Information is presented clearly and without unnecessary jargon
- Recommendations prioritize student outcomes over institutional relationships
Expert Review Process
All content undergoes a multi-stage review:
- Research & Drafting: Writers with subject-matter expertise develop initial content using verified data sources
- Editorial Review: Senior editors review for accuracy, clarity, and alignment with our methodology
- Fact-Checking: Data points are verified against primary sources before publication
- Quality Assurance: Final review ensures technical accuracy, accessibility compliance, and proper attribution
Author Attribution
We practice full transparency in authorship. Every article includes:
- Named author with relevant credentials and expertise
- Editor attribution for oversight accountability
- Clear disclosure of any institutional relationships or affiliate partnerships
Content Uniqueness
We never duplicate content across pages or spin existing articles into “new” variants. Each page on our site contains at least 40% unique content tailored to its specific focus, ensuring you receive genuinely useful information regardless of which page you visit.
Data Refresh & Updates
Educational data changes constantly. To keep our content accurate:
Annual Comprehensive Audits Each year, we conduct a full audit of our methodology, data sources, and ranking criteria to ensure they reflect current best practices and student needs.
Ongoing Monitoring Our team monitors for significant changes (program closures, accreditation changes, major policy shifts) and updates affected pages as needed between scheduled refreshes.
Transparent Timestamps Every page displays its last-updated date so you always know how current the information is.
What We Don’t Do
Transparency means being clear about what we avoid:
No Pay-for-Placement Institutions cannot pay to be included in our rankings or to improve their position. Our rankings are based solely on data and methodology.
No Reputation Surveys We don’t rely on subjective reputation surveys or peer assessments that often favor well-known institutions regardless of student outcomes.
No Unverified Claims We never use self-reported institutional data that hasn’t been validated through federal reporting systems.
No Thin Content Every resource page contains a minimum of 800 words of substantive content. Degree and career guides contain at least 1,200 words. We don’t publish pages that exist solely to capture search traffic.
Our Commitment to Accessibility
Education information should be accessible to everyone. Our site is built to meet WCAG 2.1 AA standards, including:
- Full keyboard navigation support
- Proper color contrast ratios
- Screen reader compatibility
- Responsive design for all devices
- Alt text for all images and data visualizations
Questions About Our Methodology?
We welcome feedback and questions about how we research, rank, and present information. If you believe we’ve made an error or if you have suggestions for improving our methodology, please contact our editorial team.
Our goal is simple: help you find the right educational path based on reliable data and honest analysis. Every methodology decision we make serves that mission.
