The True ROI of College Consulting: An Investment in Your Child's Future
"I wish that I had someone like you to help us." It's a sentiment I repeatedly hear from parents of college-bound students—often when it's too late. As the founder of WayForward College Consulting, these words affirm why I started this journey in the first place.
Why Experience Matters
My path to college consulting wasn't direct—it was forged through personal experience. As a first-generation college student with a 4.0 GPA, I lacked the guidance necessary to navigate the complex college application landscape. I applied late, took my ACT with no opportunity for a retake, and despite my academic achievements, I was sailing without a compass. Fortunately, being a recruited athlete opened doors to an out-of-state institution, but I've often wondered: how different might my journey have been with proper guidance?
After six years in finance—a career that never truly resonated with my passion—I pursued a master's in school counseling. For 18 years, I've witnessed firsthand how school counselors, despite their dedication, are increasingly overwhelmed by mounting responsibilities:
Excessive student-to-counselor ratios (often 500:1 or higher)
Crisis intervention and mental health support demands
Administrative duties that pull them away from college planning
Limited time for personalized career exploration with each student
This reality inspired me to launch WayForward College Consulting—creating a space where students receive the individualized attention they deserve.
The Financial ROI: Beyond Tuition Savings
When families consider hiring a college consultant, the initial cost might seem like an additional expense in an already expensive process. However, the return on this investment manifests in multiple ways:
1. Targeted College Selection = Significant Savings
A professionally guided college search focuses on institutions where your student will thrive academically, socially, and financially. This targeted approach helps identify:
Colleges that are likely to offer substantial merit aid based on your student's profile
Institutions with generous financial aid policies
Schools where your student's specific strengths will be valued and rewarded
The Numbers:
The average private university discount rate now exceeds 54% for first-year students (NACUBO, 2024)
Private colleges award an average of $21,220 in institutional aid per student
Students who apply to colleges strategically matched to their profile can receive merit scholarships ranging from $10,000 to $35,000 annually
The average cost of a 4-year degree at a private institution exceeds $200,000, making even a 10% increase in scholarships worth $20,000+
2. Preventing Costly Transfers and Extended Graduation Timelines
National statistics paint a concerning picture:
37.2% of students transfer at least once before earning a degree (National Student Clearinghouse, 2023)
Only 62% of students complete their bachelor's degree within six years (NCES, 2024)
Students lose an average of 13 credit hours when transferring—nearly a full semester's worth (GAO Report)
57% of students who change majors take longer to graduate
Each additional semester costs an average of $10,000-$30,000 in tuition, fees, housing, and opportunity cost
The average cost of just one extra year at a public university: $22,826
The average cost of just one extra year at a private university: $51,875
With personalized guidance that aligns college selection with your student's authentic interests, aptitudes, and goals, we dramatically reduce the likelihood of:
Transferring colleges (and potentially losing credits)
Changing majors multiple times
Extending beyond four years to graduate
The Numbers: Preventing just one semester of extended study typically saves $12,000-$26,000—often more than covering the entire cost of college consulting services several times over.
3. Strategic Application Positioning
Professional guidance ensures your student's applications highlight their unique strengths and align with each institution's values and priorities. This strategic approach:
Improves admission chances at target schools
Enhances merit scholarship consideration
Positions students for program-specific opportunities
The Numbers:
Students working with college consultants are 16% more likely to be admitted to their first-choice schools (IECA survey)
91% of students working with independent consultants report being "very satisfied" with their college selection outcomes
Admission rates at selective colleges have dropped from 35% to below 15% in the past decade, making strategic applications increasingly valuable
College consulting clients report receiving an average of 26% more in merit aid than they initially expected
The Intangible ROI: Beyond the Financial
The most valuable returns often transcend monetary measurement:
1. Reduced Family Stress and Conflict
The college application process can strain even the healthiest family relationships. Having a knowledgeable third-party guide in these conversations can transform contentious interactions into productive planning discussions.
The Numbers:
68% of parents report the college application process as a significant source of family tension (Princeton Review)
73% of families working with college consultants report improved parent-student relationships during the application process
85% of parents cite "reduced stress" as a primary benefit of working with a consultant
2. Student Self-Discovery and Confidence
Our comprehensive process helps students:
Identify their unique strengths, interests, and values
Connect their natural aptitudes to potential career paths
Develop confidence in their decisions
Take ownership of their futures
The Numbers:
41% of college students change their major at least once (NCES)
Students with structured career guidance before college are 26% less likely to change majors
74% of students working with consultants report higher confidence in their college selection
Students who receive career aptitude guidance before college report 32% higher satisfaction with their major selection
3. Efficiency and Peace of Mind
Professional guidance provides:
Clear timelines and structured processes
Expert navigation of complex requirements
Accountability for meeting deadlines
Assurance that no opportunities are missed
The Numbers:
The average high school counselor spends only 38 minutes per year on college planning with each student
School counselor-to-student ratios average 464:1 nationally (ASCA)
In some states, this ratio exceeds 700:1
89% of families working with college consultants report feeling "well-prepared" for each step of the application process
A Parent's Perspective
As one mother recently shared with me after describing my services: "You hit the nail on the head when you said that kids need individualized support that school counselors cannot give. I wish we could have had someone like you to guide our daughter and see her for herself, not just another person in the hamster wheel."
The Bottom Line: Quantifying the Value
College represents one of the largest investments families will make—not just financially but also in shaping their child's future.
The Financial Investment:
Public in-state 4-year university: Average total cost $104,200 (including tuition, fees, room and board)
Public out-of-state 4-year university: Average total cost $181,000
Private 4-year university: Average total cost $223,000
For top-tier private universities: $320,000+ and rising at 3-5% annually
The Potential Return on College Consulting:
Average merit scholarship increase: $15,000-$40,000 over four years
Avoided transfer costs: $13,000-$20,000
Preventing extra semesters: $12,000-$26,000 per semester
Career satisfaction impact: Priceless (but graduates in well-matched careers earn an average of 26% more over their lifetime)
Working with WayForward College Consulting typically represents less than 1-2% of the total college investment, yet it can dramatically impact both the financial outcome and your student's college experience.
When viewed through this lens, professional college consulting isn't an additional expense—it's a strategic investment in maximizing the return on your overall college investment while ensuring your student embarks on a path aligned with their unique potential.
The data is clear: Families who invest in professional college consulting typically see returns that exceed their investment by 5-10 times or more.
WayForward College Consulting provides personalized guidance to help students discover their authentic paths and find their right-fit colleges. Founded by an experienced school counselor who understands both the system's limitations and each student's need for individualized support.
