Privacy Policy
US College Data is built to be useful without being nosy. We do not require accounts, we do not sell your information, and we do not run advertising trackers. This page explains exactly what that means.
Last updated May 2026
Who We Are
US College Data is an independent project that aggregates public federal education data and presents it for free. You can browse colleges, majors, programs, and careers, and use our planning tools, without creating an account or logging in. This policy covers the website at uscollegedata.com.
Information We Collect
We collect as little as we can. There are only three ways any information reaches us.
Things You Submit
When you use the contact form or a college inquiry form, we receive the details you choose to enter, such as your name, email address, and message. You decide what to send.
Tool Inputs
Our calculators and quizzes use the numbers you enter, such as a test score or a budget, to produce results in your browser. These inputs power the result you see and are not tied to your identity.
Basic Server Logs
Like most websites, our host records standard technical data such as IP address, browser type, and the pages requested. This helps keep the site secure and running.
How We Use Information
- To reply to messages and inquiries you send us.
- To generate the results, comparisons, and matches our tools provide.
- To keep the site secure, diagnose problems, and understand which pages are useful.
- To meet legal obligations when we are required to.
We do not use your information to build advertising profiles, and we do not make automated decisions about you.
What We Never Do
We Never Sell Your Data
We do not sell, rent, or trade personal information to anyone, and we never give advertisers or third parties access to your personal data.
No Accounts, No Lock-In
There is nothing to sign up for. Because we do not maintain user accounts, we are not holding a profile of your activity over time.
Cookies
We use only the cookies needed to make the site work and to understand aggregate usage in a privacy-respecting way. We do not use third-party advertising cookies or cross-site trackers. Most browsers let you block or delete cookies in their settings, and the site will still work if you do.
Third-Party Data and Links
The statistics on this site come from public datasets published by the U.S. Department of Education (College Scorecard and IPEDS), the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and O*NET. That source data is about institutions and occupations, not about you. Our pages also link to official college and government websites. Once you follow a link, the privacy practices of that other site apply, and we encourage you to read them.
How Long We Keep Information
We keep messages you send only as long as needed to handle your request and our records. Server logs are kept for a limited period for security and troubleshooting, then rotated out. We do not retain tool inputs beyond the session in which you use them.
Children's Privacy
This site is intended for prospective students, families, and educators. It is not directed at children under 13, and we do not knowingly collect personal information from them. If you believe a child has sent us personal information, contact us and we will remove it.
Your Choices and Contact
You can use almost the entire site without sending us any personal information. If you have sent us a message and want it corrected or deleted, or if you have any question about this policy, please reach out.
Questions about your privacy? Contact us and we will help.
Changes to This Policy
We may update this policy as the site evolves or as the law requires. When we do, we will change the date at the top of this page. Significant changes will be described in plain language so you can see what is different.