About degree.fyi

Our Mission

degree.fyi helps students and families make informed decisions about higher education by providing transparent, program-level data on earnings and debt outcomes. We believe that understanding the real-world outcomes of different educational paths is essential for making one of life's most important investments.

The Data

All data on degree.fyi comes from the U.S. Department of Education's College Scorecard, a comprehensive database of information about colleges and universities receiving federal financial aid.

What's Included

  • Earnings data comes from IRS tax records, showing median earnings for graduates who received federal financial aid (Title IV grants or loans) and are employed and not enrolled in further education.
  • Debt data reflects median cumulative federal loan debt at graduation. This does not include private loans or Parent PLUS loans.
  • Program-level detail allows you to see outcomes for specific majors and credential levels at specific schools, not just institution-wide averages.

Important Limitations

  • Aid recipients only: The data only includes students who received federal financial aid. Students who paid entirely out of pocket or with private scholarships are not represented.
  • Small samples: Some programs have small sample sizes, which can make the statistics less reliable. We display sample sizes so you can assess this.
  • Timing: Earnings are measured 1 year and 4 years after graduation. These early-career earnings may not reflect long-term earning potential.
  • Correlation, not causation: Higher earnings from a program may reflect the students it attracts, not just the education it provides.

How to Use This Data

We recommend using degree.fyi as one input among many when evaluating educational options. Consider:

  • Compare similar programs: Look at how the same major performs at different schools, especially within your state or region.
  • Consider debt-to-earnings ratios: A program with high earnings but even higher debt may not be a good value.
  • Look at trends: Programs where 4-year earnings significantly exceed 1-year earnings suggest good career progression.
  • Check sample sizes: Be cautious about drawing conclusions from programs with fewer than 30 graduates in the sample.

Data Updates

The College Scorecard is updated annually by the Department of Education, typically in the fall. We incorporate new data shortly after each release. The current data reflects the October 2025 release.

Contact

Have questions or feedback? We'd love to hear from you. Reach out at hello@degree.fyi.