Posts by Adam Hearn:

Exploring Popular College Majors: Trends and Selectivity Insights

Posted on: 06 Feb 2026

When students and their families navigate the landscape of college education, understanding the trends in major selection across different institutions can offer important insights. This post investigates the most popular undergraduate programs and how selectivity impacts these program offerings, while allowing you to explore data for individual colleges and universities. Most Popular Bachelor’s Degree Programs […]

From College to Consulting: Which Universities Send the Most Graduates to Top Firms?

Posted on: 05 Feb 2026

The management consulting industry continues to attract top talent with its compelling combination of intellectual challenge, rapid professional development, and attractive compensation packages. For recent graduates, the industry offers particularly appealing prospects, with entry-level consultants at top firms often commanding base salaries exceeding $90,000 and total compensation packages potentially reaching six figures. Career progression can […]

From Pre-Med to MD: Understanding the Pathways to Medical School

Posted on: 30 Jan 2026

For aspiring doctors, the journey to medical school is often viewed as a challenging and competitive process. While excellent grades and strong MCAT scores are certainly crucial, the role of one’s undergraduate institution in shaping this path is a topic of great interest to students, parents, and educators alike. In this post, we present an […]

How Need-Based and Merit Aid Vary by College Selectivity and Tuition

Posted on: 22 Jan 2026

Navigating the financial aid landscape when choosing a college can be daunting, especially when trying to understand the different types of aid available and how they are awarded. Merit-based aid and need-based grants are two common forms of financial assistance, but their distribution varies widely based on selectivity, control, and tuition costs. What is the […]

How Do Colleges Make Money? A Deep Dive into College Revenue Sources

Posted on: 14 Jan 2026

Introduction In our previous analysis of college pricing trends, we explored how the story of college costs is more nuanced than often portrayed, particularly when distinguishing between sticker price and net price. Now, we turn our attention to an equally complex aspect of higher education finance: how colleges and universities fund their operations. Understanding institutional […]

Top Universities for Tech Jobs: Engineering Placement Rates at Google, Apple, Nvidia, and Beyond

Posted on: 01 Jan 2026

The technology industry continues to offer some of the most compelling career opportunities for ambitious college graduates. Entry-level software engineers at leading tech companies typically command base salaries exceeding $120,000, with total compensation packages often reaching $180,000+ when including stock grants and bonuses. Beyond compensation, the industry offers unprecedented opportunities for impact, with even junior […]

Origins of College Students: Understanding Geographic Diversity

Posted on: 01 Jan 2026

When students and their families explore college choices, the geographic diversity of the student body can be a key consideration. Understanding where students originate from can provide insights into the cultural mix, networking opportunities, and the overall appeal of a college as well as the extent to which a college prioritizes geographic diversity. This post […]

Are College Costs Really Rising? Understanding Recent Trends in College Pricing

Posted on: 13 Feb 2025

The narrative around college costs has become predictable: tuition keeps rising, student debt is mounting, and higher education is becoming increasingly unaffordable. However, a careful analysis of recent pricing data reveals a more nuanced story – one that challenges these common assumptions and highlights the importance of distinguishing between sticker price and net price when […]