In this episode, Vice President of Enrollment at Ithaca College Rock Hall makes the case that college should be seen as an investment rather than just a cost. He shares insights on tuition discounting, the Ithaca Commitment, and the long-term value of a liberal arts education.

Rock also discusses how AI is reshaping admissions, from calculating GPAs to directing students to the proper staff to help them. He encourages families to view college as a journey, embrace difference, and see higher education as one of society’s greatest levers for opportunity.

In this episode, Wellesley College economist and MyinTuition founder Phil Levine breaks down the difference between sticker price and net price, explaining why most families actually pay far less than the numbers making headlines. He highlights how misconceptions about cost can discourage students from applying and why simplifying the process is essential for improving equity in education.

Phil also shares practical advice for building a balanced college list and describes how middle-income students often qualify for significant aid. He also gets into broader trends shaping tuition, merit awards, and college affordability, and encourages families to make decisions based on true costs rather than headlines.

In this episode, CEO of the Coalition for College Liz Cheron debunks common misconceptions around affordability and "dream schools" and explains why tools like net price calculators and MyinTuition are critical for understanding real costs.

She also describes how Coalition for College can help families making college decisions, including virtual events and a partnership with Schoolhouse.world. She encourages families to stay organized, have conversations about money earlier rather than later, and to remain open to colleges that your student has never heard of, if they think it could be a good fit.