Pricing
Let’s Talk About Price.
College used to be a place to “find yourself.” That was fine when tuition was $2,000 a year. But college today is a six-figure investment, and no one can afford to wing it anymore.
This isn’t just about price. It’s about return on investment.
How Much Is College Really Going to Cost?
The average four-year college education now costs over $150,000. And that’s only if your student graduates on time.
But here’s the truth:
Most students don’t. Only 36% of students at top public universities graduate in four years. At less selective colleges, that number drops even lower.
Why do students stay longer than 4 years?
Let’s be honest: it’s not just because they’re “still figuring it out.” It’s because the system is broken, and most students enter it without a plan.
The Wrong Major or the Wrong Fit
Students pick a major because it sounds good or because it’s what everyone else is doing. Later, they realize it’s not the right path and switch. That often means lost credits, more classes, and more time.
Transferring Schools
Switching colleges often means starting over. Some schools don’t accept all previous credits, so your student might have to retake courses—at full price.
Poor Advising
University advisors manage hundreds of students. Bad advice, missed deadlines, or a single wrong course selection can delay graduation by a semester or more.
Limited Course Availability
Even if students know what to take, classes fill up or aren’t offered every semester.
Lack of Direction or Accountability
College can’t be a $150,000 experiment in “figuring it out.” Without guidance, students drift, and every semester they drift costs money.
So what does that extra time really cost?
Every additional year in college means:
That’s over $147,000 for just one extra year. If your student takes six years to graduate, the real cost can exceed $300,000.
According to Complete College America, the average full-time college student is not completing enough credits each semester to finish a bachelor’s degree within five years.
Why are you investing in college in the first place?
To get a degree? Or to open doors? To build a future? To create options? Whatever your reason, isn’t it worth doing it right?
Because without a clear, intentional plan, you’re not investing in college. You’re gambling on it.
How Much Have You Already Spent?
If you’ve paid for private school, test prep, tutoring, special services, or extracurriculars, then chances are, you’ve already invested $50,000 to $300,000+ in your child’s education.
That investment got your student to this point, but let’s be clear: this isn’t the finish line.
You made those choices because you believe in your child’s potential and you wanted to give them every advantage.
But now it’s time to ask: What’s the plan to protect that investment? Because good grades, high test scores, and packed resumes don’t guarantee great outcomes but high level strategy does.
The right strategy turns potential into opportunity. Without it, all that time, effort, and money can fall short when it matters most.
So what is the cost of doing it right?
Instead of waiting for a cost to fix…
Investing in an educational consultant is a significant decision, and understanding the associated costs and potential returns is crucial.
Test Preparation: Various organizations charge between $50 and $250 per hour for test preparation services.
At Firat Education, we sit on the higher end of that range, and for good reason. Our test prep is entirely one-on-one, personalized, and integrated into your student’s larger college and career strategy.
Every student receives:
- A customized test prep plan based on baseline scores, goals, and learning style
- Unlimited full-length practice tests built into the plan
- Ongoing one-on-one strategy meetings with our Student Success Director to adjust test prep management, build confidence, and optimize progress.
These aren’t just standard features; they’re the foundation of a plan tailored to your student’s goals, strengths, and future.
The average Firat family invests around $12,000 per student in test prep.
And here’s why that investment matters: Merit-based scholarships often use standardized test scores as a major factor in awarding aid.
In fact, improving just a few points on the ACT or SAT can mean the difference between some aid and tens of thousands of dollars in scholarships.
(Merit-based aid varies by school, but here’s what many colleges use as benchmarks:)
| Test Score | Potential Scholarship Value |
|---|---|
| ACT 33+ / SAT 1450+ | Full tuition or full ride at many institutions |
| ACT 30–32 / SAT 1350–1440 | $20,000–$30,000 total (often over 4 years) |
| ACT 27–29 / SAT 1250–1340 | $10,000–$20,000 total merit aid |
| ACT 24–26 / SAT 1150–1240 | Small merit scholarships; eligibility for honors programs |
| Below ACT 24 / SAT 1150 | Merit aid less common; focus shifts to need-based aid |
The data was compiled using university scholarship pages from schools like: University of Alabama, Arizona State University, Baylor University, University of Mississippi, University of Kentucky, Texas Tech, University of Tennessee, University of Arkansas, LSU, and others, along with national sources such as College Board, ACT.org, EducationData.org, and Cappex.com.
A 2–4 point improvement on the ACT (or 100–150 points on the SAT) can move your student into a new scholarship bracket, and save your family thousands.
Better test scores don’t just improve admissions odds, they reduce the cost of college.
That’s the ROI of strategic test prep done right.
College Admissions Consulting:
We don’t measure success by how many schools your student gets into. We don’t chase name brands, rankings, or bragging rights, because none of that matters if it’s not the right fit for your child.
At Firat Education, success means :
- Your student gets into a school that fits their goals, values, and personality
- They walk onto campus confident and prepared
- They thrive—academically, emotionally, socially
- They graduate on time, ready to take the next step in their life, career, or graduate school
This is how we measure success. Not by the number of acceptances, but by what happens after, because college isn’t the destination: It’s the launchpad for what comes next.
So how much?
Most educational consultants charge between $150 and $400 per hour, and some offer flat-rate packages ranging from $4,000 to over $10,000.
At Firat Education, we charge by the hour. Our rates range from $250 to $650 per hour, depending on two factors:
- The consultant’s experience level (Essay Consultant, Associate Consultant, Senior Consultant, Partner)
- The number of hours purchased ((The more hours you commit to, the lower your hourly rate)
In the EA, we advise on the right combination that fits your family’s goals.
The average Firat family invests between $15,000 and $18,000 in college admissions counseling.
And here’s why that investment matters:
- Firat students accept an average of $70,000 in scholarships (most students are offered significantly more when including their offers from multiple schools)
- They attend schools that are the best fit academically, socially, and financially
- They avoid costly mistakes like missed deadlines, wrong-fit colleges, or last-minute scrambling
- They gain essential skills in planning, writing, communication, and decision-making
- Most importantly, they graduate on time, with a clearer sense of direction and purpose
Because every student and family we work with is different, we don’t publish one-size-fits-all pricing or pre-set packages. After your Educational Assessment, you’ll receive a clear, written breakdown of recommended services, estimated hours, and total investment. Flexible payment options are available.