Exposing "The Gap" — the difference between what colleges advertise and what Pocono families actually pay.
College websites advertise generous aid packages. What they don't make clear is The Gap — the amount families must actually find through savings, work, or debt after all grant aid is applied. For Pocono families earning $30,000-$48,000, this gap can mean the difference between graduating and dropping out.
Our database makes The Gap impossible to miss. It reframes the conversation from "sticker price vs. aid" to "what will this actually cost your family?"
Select your family income bracket. The database instantly filters schools and calculates your estimated gap at each institution.
Results are sorted by lowest gap first — not by prestige, not by sticker price. Schools that actually meet your need rise to the top.
Compare up to 3 schools with Pocono-specific travel costs included. The "close and cheap" option is often the most expensive.
Every school includes realistic travel estimates from the Poconos — replacing generic transportation budgets with actual flight and drive costs.
Every school in the database gets a clear severity rating based on what your family would need to find beyond grant aid:
Low Gap ($0 - $2,500/year) — This school is likely affordable for your family.
Medium Gap ($2,501 - $7,500/year) — Budget carefully. You'll need to cover the gap beyond aid.
High Gap ($7,501 - $15,000/year) — Significant out-of-pocket cost. Over 4 years, you'd need to find $30,000-$60,000 beyond aid.
Critical Gap ($15,001+/year) — Danger zone. Many students in this situation don't finish their degree.
For a family earning $30,000-$48,000, the numbers can be counterintuitive:
| Elite Private (e.g. Stanford) | PA State School (e.g. Penn State) | Regional (e.g. East Stroudsburg) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sticker Price | $87,225 | $36,962 | $26,000 |
| Net Cost | $2,725 | $18,200 | $14,800 |
| + Travel from Poconos | $2,400 | $400 | $200 |
| True Annual Cost | $5,125 | $18,600 | $15,000 |
| 4-Year Total | $20,500 | $74,400 | $60,000 |
| The Gap | $0 | $8,200/yr | $6,100/yr |
Search by income bracket and gap threshold. Basic school profiles with The Gap prominent. Side-by-side comparison for up to 3 schools. Travel cost calculator for Pocono families. Gap severity warnings.
Saved school lists per user. "Schools like this" recommendations. Email alerts when data updates. Net Price Calculator links. PDF export of comparisons.
Integration with actual Net Price Calculators. Application deadline tracking. Crown Hub alumni connections. Financial aid package analyzer — upload your letter for instant analysis.
All data in the college database comes from verified federal and institutional sources:
Federal Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System — tuition, fees, enrollment, financial aid, and graduation rates.
Department of Education data on earnings outcomes, Pell recipient graduation rates, and loan default rates.
National Association of College and University Business Officers — endowment data and financial strength indicators.
Manual verification of no-loan policies, travel allowances, and need-meeting commitments from each institution.