Hilary Cairns

financial advice & planning, financial aid

What is a college tuition bill?

Key takeaways: College tuition bills are statements that itemize school charges, such as tuition, mandatory fees, housing, meal plans, and health insurances. Always read over your tuition bill to check for accuracy, reaching out to the financial aid office if you have any questions. You can typically view and pay your bill through the online …
best university
questions & answers

How many colleges are in the U.S.?

Key takeaways: There are 5,626 postsecondary Title IV institutions in the United States as of 2024-25, according to the NCES IPEDS. 2,609 institutions award a bachelor’s degree or higher to their students. California has the most postsecondary Title IV institutions of any state, at 613. Thinking about pursuing higher education? Lucky for you, you have …
college admissions

Focused learning: a complete guide to specialized schools

Key takeaways Specialized schools offer certificate and degree programs in a single major or area of study. Common types of specialized institutions include Art, Business, and Career Studies schools. Students can benefit from strong networks, experienced professors, and advanced resources, but changing your major may be difficult. Specialized schools tend to stick to one focused …
careers & internships, majors & industries

2-Year Medical degrees in healthcare that pay well

Key takeaways: Medical Radiologic Technology/Science has one of the highest median salaries of all 2-year medical degree programs in healthcare at $101,900 Other top paying jobs that only require an associate’s degree include Dental Hygienist, MRI Technician, and Occupational Therapist Assistant. You’ll often have to complete a clinical rotation, pass a state exam, and receive …
Student preparing college application
college applications

When should you start applying for colleges​?

Key takeaways: College bound high school students should start applying for colleges shortly after applications open on August 1 of their senior year. Most early decision and early action applications are due on November 1 or 15. Many colleges accept regular decision submissions until January 1. Colleges usually open applications on August 1. While most …
Find out how HBCUs began
college search

Black Colleges and Universities in Texas

Key takeaways HBCUs are historically Black colleges and universities that were founded prior to the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and focused on educating African Americans. There are nine Black colleges and universities in Texas including Prairie View A&M University, Texas Southern University, Texas College, Huston-Tillotson University, Jarvis Christian University, Paul Quinn College, Southwestern Christian …
A rocket launching into space.
college search

Aerospace Engineering schools

Key takeaways Aerospace Engineering is the study of aircraft, rotorcraft, and spacecraft design, development, and theory. It’s a very challenging major, requiring advanced math and problem-solving skills with heavy time commitment. Some top Aerospace Engineering Schools include the United States Air Force Academy, Georgia Tech, and Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University-Daytona Beach. Aerospace Engineering is a challenging …
What are the differences between an online MBA program vs traditional program?
college search

Best accredited online MBA programs

Key takeaways: An MBA, or Master’s of Business Administration is a graduate degree that typically takes full-time students one to two years to complete. Graduates taking online programs can balance school, life, and family, as classes can be taken on their schedule. Some of the best accredited online MBA programs come from Indiana University-Bloomington, Babson …
Harvard Law building, set of Legally Blonde and other college movies
college comparisons

Most prestigious Law schools

Key takeaways: Some of the most prestigious Law schools include Harvard, Georgetown, Yale, and Fordham. Harvard and Yale’s incoming Law students had a median 174 LSAT and 3.96 GPA. To improve your admission chances, craft a well-rounded application, tell a story, prepare for an interview, and choose your undergraduate major wisely. Harvard University, Yale University, …

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