Financial Disclosures

Last updated: May 2026

Advertising & Affiliate Relationships

DegreeRealist may display advertisements from financial services companies, including student loan refinancing providers, debt settlement programs, and educational institutions. These advertisements are clearly marked and do not influence our data analysis, risk tier classifications, or Nihilism Index calculations.

We may receive compensation when users click on or engage with advertiser content. This compensation helps fund the operation of this free public resource. Advertiser relationships never affect the data we present or the conclusions we draw.

Data Independence

All degree program analyses on DegreeRealist are generated algorithmically from publicly available U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard data. No institution, lender, or advertiser can pay to alter, suppress, or improve their rating on this platform.

• Risk tier classifications (RED/YELLOW/GREEN) are calculated solely from debt-to-earnings ratios
• The Nihilism Index™ uses a fixed formula applied uniformly to all programs
• No institution has editorial review or approval over their page content

Not Financial Advice

DegreeRealist provides data analysis and educational content only. Nothing on this site constitutes personal financial advice, investment advice, or a recommendation to take any specific action regarding student loans, debt management, or educational enrollment.

Individual financial situations vary significantly. We strongly recommend consulting with a licensed financial advisor, certified financial planner (CFP), or student loan counselor before making decisions about education financing, loan repayment strategies, or debt settlement.

Contact

For questions about our financial disclosures or advertising policies, contact us at disclosures@degreerealist.com.