Google has formally immersed itself in the college search process. It announced, just last week, that it would start showcasing important statistics to help students and parents who need relevant and accurate data regarding the colleges and universities in which they are interested.
For example, a Google search of Princeton University highlights that the average annual cost, after aid, is $9,000. Many families assume that the cost of attending this elite institution is well out of their price range, not realizing that Princeton’s need-based aid dramatically alters the cost-of-attendance. For example, the average cost of attendance is $7,000 for students with an annual household income of $48,000 to $75,000, and $18,000 for those with a household income of $75,000 to $110,000.
Other featured information, secured from a Google search, includes a university’s acceptance rate, graduation rate, typical SAT test scores, and rankings both on a national and international level.
Google secures its data from the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard and Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS).
Google is seeking to build on the success of its job search that launched last year. According to Google, its job search has already helped tens of millions of job seekers, across twelve countries, find the right jobs that match their unique needs. Since the path to success often begins even earlier – with selecting the right college – Google is hoping to dominate the college search market and take another step closer toward becoming the one-stop source for all information.
Google’s immersion in the college search process comes at a time when both Facebook and LinkedIn are trying to get colleges to use their services for student recruiting. Facebook is seeking to do more video advertising on mobile devices, but is targeting colleges that attract adult undergraduate students or those seeking masters and professional degrees. LinkedIn, too, is focusing primarily on the postgraduate market. So the audience of high school students headed for college is on Google’s radar and data on more and more colleges should be appearing on their website as the summer progresses.
Susan Alaimo is the founder and director of SAT Smart in Hillsborough that has been offering PSAT, SAT, and ACT preparation courses, as well as private tutoring by Ivy League educated instructors, for more than 25 years. Visit www.SATsmart.com or call 908-369-5362.
