Your Reach, Target & Safety list in 60 seconds.
Find colleges that fit your GPA, scores, and budget. Then plan, write, and decide in one place.
- Ambitious pick. Admission is possible, not likely.
- Good match. Your stats align with typical admits.
- Likely admit. Your stats are above typical admits.
Your top matches
Sample resultsBased on your GPA, scores & major
MIT
Cambridge, MA · Reach
Purdue
West Lafayette, IN · Target
Arizona State
Tempe, AZ · Safety
Free tools
Browse allHow it works
Find. List. Plan. Essays. Decide.
3 unlocked matches (1 Reach, 1 Target, 1 Safety) plus a preview of 18 more. Then list, plan, write, and decide in one place.
1 · Find
Find colleges that fit
GPA and major required, SAT optional. Get Reach, Target, and Safety — not a ranking list.
2 · List
Lock the schools you’ll apply to
Matches are suggestions. Check a school onto your list — plan, essays, and decisions follow it.
3 · Plan
Build a task list to apply
Research, essay, and submit tasks with deadlines for every school on your list.
4 · Essays
Draft in your voice
Paste writing samples as style references. Essay Studio drafts new prompts — you edit every line.
5 · Decide
Track it in My Journey
One hub for your list, plan, essays, and later offers — so you always know the next action.
Compare colleges side by side
Line up tuition, acceptance rates, outcomes, and campus fit — then pick with clarity, not guesswork.
- Compare 2 schools free. Premium compares 4.
- 20+ data points — cost, academics, campus
- Free account to see the comparison
Example comparison
Illustrative figures for layout only — open Compare for live catalog data.
More ways to decide
Calculators and helpers that sit alongside your match list — free account to see results.
College Decision Tool
Compare up to 4 colleges across 14 weighted factors — cost, program strength, campus life. Free account to see results.
Scholarship Finder
Search scholarships by GPA, major, and eligibility. Find money that fits your profile.
Acceptance Calculator
Enter GPA and SAT to see admission probability at 30+ top universities.
College ROI Calculator
Compare majors by salary vs. cost with 20-year ROI projections.
Student Loan Calculator
Estimate monthly payments, total interest, and payoff timelines.
Graduate Early Planner
Map a 3-year path with AP credits and summer sessions — see potential savings.
College planning FAQs
Straight answers before you start your search.
How does College Decider find my college matches?
Enter your GPA, optional SAT/ACT, major, and preferences. We match you against 1,900+ schools and label results as Reach, Target, and Safety. Create a free account to see 3 unlocked matches; Premium unlocks the full set.
Is College Decider free?
Yes. Free includes 3 unlocked matches (1 Reach, 1 Target, 1 Safety), a preview of 18 more, college comparison, and 2 AI essay drafts. Premium adds a 7-day trial, then unlocks all 21 matches, unlimited essays, and timeline tracking.
What are Reach, Target, and Safety schools?
Reach schools are ambitious — your stats sit below typical admits. Target schools align with your profile. Safety schools are likely admits on academics. A true Likely is a Safety whose estimated net also fits your budget. A balanced list includes a few of each — not a Reach-heavy stack.
How many colleges can I compare?
Compare 2 schools free, 4 on Premium, across 20+ data points — tuition, acceptance rates, outcomes, and more. Fill in the tool, then create a free account to see results.
What do I need to start a search?
GPA and intended major are required. SAT/ACT, location, and budget improve match quality but are optional.
Can I build a college list from the acceptance calculator?
Yes. After you see admission chances, create a free account to turn your GPA and SAT into a personalized Reach / Target / Safety list (3 matches on Free). Premium is optional if you want all 21.
Does Premium include a free trial?
Yes. New Premium plans include a 7-day free trial with full Premium access. You are not charged until the trial ends. Cancel anytime before billing starts.
Is the Common App open for 2026-2027?
Yes. The Common Application opened August 1, 2026 for the 2026-2027 cycle (Class of 2027). Use College Decider's Essay Studio to draft your personal statement and supplements, and /search to finalize your Reach/Target/Safety list before Early Decision/Action deadlines (Nov 1–15).
Visit the help center for guides on search, essays, decisions, and billing.
Ready to build your list?
Create a free account to see 3 matches (1 Reach, 1 Target, 1 Safety). No credit card. Or try Premium for 7 days and unlock the full list, application tasks, and essay drafts in your voice.