How do I find colleges near me?

Open CampusPin’s search at /results, type your ZIP code or city into the location field, and the map and result list will update to show U.S. colleges in that area. You can then layer filters for tuition, major, school type, or acceptance rate to narrow further.

How do I compare colleges?

Pin up to four schools from any search result or school profile, then open /compare to see them side by side on tuition, acceptance rate, enrollment, programs, and outcomes. No account is required.

How do I save colleges on CampusPin?

Click the pin icon on any school card or profile to add it to your shortlist. Without an account, pins stay in your current browser session. Create a free account to keep them across devices.

Yes. CampusPin is free for students, parents, and counselors. Search, filtering, school profiles, side-by-side comparison, and the Intelligent Advisor are public and do not require an account.

How do I find colleges by major?

Use the program/major filter on /results to narrow CampusPin to schools that offer a specific major. For deeper context on a major and the schools that offer it by state, open /majors/{major-slug} or /programs/{major-slug}/in/{state-slug}.

How do I find affordable colleges?

On /results, set the tuition filter to a manual maximum (CampusPin supports up to $100,000) and include public and community colleges. Always compare net price (what families actually pay after aid) rather than sticker price.

How do I compare college tuition?

Open /college-cost-comparison, pin the schools you want to compare, and review tuition, fees, and reported aid side by side. Always compare in-state vs. out-of-state on the same basis, and prioritize net price over sticker price.

What is a college shortlist?

A college shortlist is the narrowed group of schools (typically 6–12) you take seriously enough to research, visit, or apply to. On CampusPin, you build it by pinning schools as you search, then refining the list as you compare them.

How many colleges should I compare?

Most counselors suggest a final application list of 6–12 schools spread across likely, target, and reach acceptance bands. On CampusPin you can compare up to four schools side by side on /compare in a single view, then rotate other schools in as your list narrows.

How does CampusPin help parents?

CampusPin gives parents a structured way to explore U.S. colleges with their student: filter by cost and program, see honest tuition and acceptance data, compare schools side by side, and keep a shared shortlist. Everything except cross-device shortlist sync is free without an account.

CampusPin Q&A

Direct answers to the most common college search questions

Each entry below is a single canonical answer to one question students, parents, and counselors ask about searching, comparing, and paying for U.S. colleges. If you don't see what you need, the Help Center and FAQ cover deeper product details.

Using CampusPin

How CampusPin works, what it costs, and what an account adds.

How do I save colleges on CampusPin?
Click the pin icon on any school card or profile to add it to your shortlist. Without an account, pins stay in your current browser session. Create a free account to keep them across devices.
Is CampusPin free?
Yes. CampusPin is free for students, parents, and counselors. Search, filtering, school profiles, side-by-side comparison, and the Intelligent Advisor are public and do not require an account.

Searching colleges

Finding schools by location, major, and other filters.

Comparing colleges

Side-by-side comparison, tuition, and tradeoffs.

Affordability

Sticker price, net price, and cost comparison strategy.

How do I find affordable colleges?
On /results, set the tuition filter to a manual maximum (CampusPin supports up to $100,000) and include public and community colleges. Always compare net price (what families actually pay after aid) rather than sticker price.

Building a college list

How many to consider, what makes a balanced list.

For parents and families

Practical questions families ask first.

How does CampusPin help parents?
CampusPin gives parents a structured way to explore U.S. colleges with their student: filter by cost and program, see honest tuition and acceptance data, compare schools side by side, and keep a shared shortlist. Everything except cross-device shortlist sync is free without an account.

Looking for state-specific answers?

State-specific college search questions

Each enriched state hub includes answers to common questions about that state — public flagship, HBCUs, in-state vs. out-of-state tuition, transfer pathways, and state-specific scholarship programs. Jump to a state below.

Keep exploring CampusPin

Start your own college search, compare schools side by side, or talk to the Intelligent Advisor.

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