College Consumer Report: Compare, Predict, Survive

So you clicked the magic button. You’ve made it to the nerve center of data-driven doomscrolling—uh, we mean higher ed survivability insights. This page is your go-to reference for what each column in our comparison tables means, why it matters, and how to use the Tier 1 comparison tool like a data-wielding wizard.

Note: All values in our tables are projected for 2028 using the Holt-Winters Forecasting Model. Because what’s cooler than forecasting a university’s future like it’s a weather pattern?

🔗 Use the Tier 1 Comparison Tool Now

Try it here:

This tool lets you:

• Select up to 8 universities
• Compare up to 5 key data points
• Instantly generate a side-by-side table of projected performance

Why it’s useful: It pulls together core financial and academic stats to help you compare institutions that look similar on paper but may be heading in very different directions.

🏢 What the Columns Mean & Why You Should Care

Net Assets, Total Assets, Total Liabilities

These paint the picture of institutional wealth vs. debt. High assets and low liabilities? Nice. Flipped? Yikes.

Endowment Assets

The financial safety net. A big endowment can cover shortfalls, fund scholarships, and keep operations stable.

Graduation Rate

A quick pulse check on academic follow-through. Low rates = retention issues. High rates = healthy outcomes.

FTE Students & Faculty

Helps spot whether faculty are overwhelmed or if small class sizes are feasible. Critical for learning quality.

Instructional Expenses

Shows how much is spent on actually educating students (as opposed to, say, landscaping).

FTFT Students

First-time, full-time students are a core financial and cultural anchor. Their numbers matter.

State Population (15–19 YO)

A proxy for future local enrollment potential. A shrinking pool = tougher competition.

Cash & Savings

Liquidity! Can the university survive a bad year or three? This tells you how much runway they’ve got.

🎉 Coming Soon

We’re just getting started.

🔹 Tier 2 Comparison Tool (Coming Soon!)

Includes ratios, market saturation, and academic efficiency. For the deeper dive.

🔹 Tier 3 Comparison Tool (Also Coming Soon!)

Includes denominational overlays, filters, and survival trajectory maps. All the bells and whistles.

Stay tuned—your data obsession is about to level up.