Frequently asked questions.
Are these real schools?
Yes. All 1,789 entries from the U.S. News Best Colleges directory retrieved September 11, 2026 are included. Federal institution records matched 1,782 schools.
Are these U.S. News rankings?
No. U.S. News guides school coverage. Degreeli calculates its own Value Score from independently sourced measures and approved user reviews. It does not reproduce U.S. News scores, rankings, or editorial reviews.
Why are some numbers missing?
A federal record may be unmatched, a cohort may be too small for disclosure, or a measure may not be reported. Missing data is never treated as zero.
Are earnings current starting salaries?
No. Institution earnings are ten years after entry; program earnings are four years after completion. Each measure has its own historical cohort and dollar year.
Where is my shortlist saved?
Your shortlist is stored in this browser on this device. It is not synced to an account or other devices. Clearing browser storage removes it.