BigFuture vs Niche
BigFuture
bigfuture.collegeboard.org
Niche
niche.comSide by side
| Figure | BigFuture | Niche |
|---|---|---|
| Price from | Free | Free |
| Free plan | Yes | Yes |
| Free trial | — | — |
| Open source | — | — |
| Web | Yes | Yes |
| iOS | Yes | Yes |
| Android | Yes | Yes |
| Plans published | 1 | 1 |
| Spec score · College Search Platforms | 8.2 (#4) | 7.6 (#16) |
| Founded | 1900 | 2013 |
| Privacy and security | College Board says it collects personal information to administer tests and deliver educational opportunities, while students and families control how much additional information they disclose. | Niche’s privacy policy describes information collection, use and disclosure, user choices, retention and deletion, and security practices. |
| Scholarships | Students can qualify for $40,000 and $500 BigFuture Scholarships by completing six planning steps, with no essay or minimum GPA or test score requirement. | Niche lets users browse scholarships and get matched to scholarships. |
| Support | BigFuture School users can contact support at (866) 630-9305 Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET. | Niche provides a Resource Center and a contact option from its college search resources page. |
Plans
In their own words
BigFuture
BigFuture is a free resource for students exploring careers, planning for college, and considering how to pay for education after high school. Its Career Quiz suggests 30 personalized career options, and more than 1,000 profiles describe salary, education, and job outlook. Students can specify preferences such as location, cost, and majors to get a personalized college list, then filter searches by criteria including campus life and save schools. Tools cover college costs and financial aid, with scholarship resources as well. Students can qualify for $40,000 and $500 BigFuture Scholarships by completing six planning steps; there is no essay or minimum GPA or test score requirement. Students may also opt in to Student Search Service, which connects them with more than 1,200 colleges and scholarship programs. BigFuture is available on Android, iOS, and the web. The separate free BigFuture School app offers SAT Suite score access and personalized college and career guidance to eligible students; access requires age 13 or older, a participating U.S. school, and an eligible in-school test or AP course, and exclusions may apply.
Niche
Niche helps students and families explore schools and colleges through profiles, reviews, search, and data tools. College profiles include data and feedback from students and alumni, and users can compare colleges side by side. They can search programs, review admission requirements and financial aid information, and browse or get matched with scholarships. A registered Niche Profile adds a saved college list, personalized recommendations, a college checklist, and an admissions calculator. High school seniors may receive college acceptance and scholarship offers based on profile information. Niche’s Best Colleges ranking uses U.S. Department of Education data alongside student and alumni reviews. Students and families can use the service free on the web, Android, and iOS; the app is available for iPhone, iPad, and Android devices. Schools and colleges can pay for enhanced site presence, sponsored listings, digital marketing, data packages, Niche Engage, and Niche Direct Admissions. Niche says partner solutions include CRM integrations that deliver student data regularly. The company was founded in 2013 and is headquartered in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.