Our Impact
Our impact is measured by the lives we change.
Expanding access to higher education can help bridge workforce gaps, strengthen underserved communities, and drive long-term economic growth.
Our Overall Impact
College Advising Corps has opened doors and increased opportunities for millions of high school graduates. Over 1 million students we’ve served have enrolled in colleges and universities nationwide. Last year alone, CAC advisers helped over 100,000 high school students to identify their career goals and take their best next steps to achieve them—be it a college degree, professional certification, or military service.
Our Impact On Students
Our advisers help seniors take the right steps at the right times—steps that studies have shown lead to greater likelihood of college enrollment. For the academic year 2025-26:
82 %
of seniors had one or more meetings with their adviser
77 %
of seniors submitted one or more college applications
76 %
of seniors submitted a FAFSA application
Our advisers form mentoring relationships at pivotal moments in students’ lives, offering them the encouragement and support they need to reach their full potential.
play videoOur Impact On Advisers
Through our double bottom line, we impact the lives of advisers as well as students. Since 2005, nearly 9,000 adviser alumni have used their service time with College Advising Corps as a springboard for rewarding careers— from education and nonprofit management to politics and public policy. Many go on to pursue graduate degrees. In 2026, advisers said the following about their career plans after they complete their CAC service:
39 %
said they would likely enroll in graduate school after their service
65 %
of advisers planning to enter the workforce after their CAC service said they would likely pursue careers in the education sector
58 %
of advisers planning to enter the workforce after their CAC service said they were likely to consider a career in college access advising
Opportunity Realized
“I always wanted to go to college but didn’t think it would be possible. Ms. Kongmany helped me through the college application process, including filling out the FAFSA. I’m not sure if I’d be going to college without her support.”
Lyric Larson, Caldwell Early College High School, 2022
What We Are Currently Learning
Our Advisers are Influential.
Our research finds that students who meet more often with College Advising Corps advisers report greater adviser influence on their college decisions—sometimes matching or exceeding that of their parents.
Our Advisers significantly increase FAFSA Completion.
Independent evaluations have found higher FAFSA completion rates at schools served by College Advising Corps advisers, along with earlier financial aid submissions compared with similar schools without College Advising Corps advisers.
Our Advisers help more students Apply to and Enroll in College.
Independent evaluations have found that students at schools served by College Advising Corps advisers are more likely to apply to and enroll in college than comparable students at schools without College Advising Corps advisers.
