How Much Should College Counseling Cost? (And Why So Many Parents Get Scammed)

College counseling prices are all over the place, and most parents have no idea what’s normal. One minute, you're seeing a $200 essay review, and the next, someone’s pitching you a $50,000 "Ivy League Guarantee." If you feel like you need a PhD just to understand the pricing, you’re not alone.

I probably shouldn’t say this as someone who does this for a living, but I don’t always approach this industry like a businessperson. I still see it through the eyes of a former student who figured out the system without a trust fund or an admissions coach. And honestly? A lot of families are getting completely played.

So let’s break it down—what should this actually cost, and where’s the real value?

The Real Price Range for College Counseling

Here's what you're actually looking at:

1. The Budget Tutors ($50–$150/hr)

🔹Typically grad students, recent admits, or general writing tutors dabbling in essays. 🔹 Fine for a second set of eyes, but don’t expect deep strategy.
🚨 Red flag: Anyone charging this low but promising "elite" results.

2. The Independent Experts ($150–$400/hr)

🔹 Experienced counselors who actually know what they’re doing.
🔹 Help with school strategy, essay coaching, and positioning.
🔹 Your best bet for high-quality guidance without nonsense pricing.
🔹 This is where I sit—$150/hr, transparent pricing, no games.

3. The Big-Name Firms ($500–$1000/hr or $10K–$50K per package)

🔹 "Prestige" firms like IvyWise and Top Tier Admissions.
🔹 Some have ex-admissions officers. Others just have great branding. 
🚨 Red flag: Price tags that scream "for wealthy people who don’t ask questions."

The Dirty Secret to Pricing

Here’s a little industry secret: if a company doesn’t list their prices upfront, they’re trying to gauge how much they can squeeze out of you.

This is real—some consultants charge $250/hr for one family and $375/hr for another, depending on where you live or how much you seem willing to pay. If they ask too many questions about your financial background before revealing their prices, run.

Who gets targeted the most? Immigrant families and parents who are extra private about the process because they deeply care about their child’s success. Some firms exploit that trust and eagerness by inflating prices even further. I’ve seen families pay absurd amounts simply because they didn’t realize there was no standard pricing model.

Protect Yourself:

🛑 Always ask for upfront pricing—if they won’t give it to you, walk away.
📊 Compare multiple options. If someone is way higher than others without justification, question it.
⚠️ Be wary of the "custom package" sales pitch. That’s often code for "we’re figuring out how much you’ll pay."
✔️Talk to other families who use the same service!

I don’t do this because it makes me feel gross. I charge $150/hr, flat rate, no surprises. If your kid needs more time because they have ADHD or are applying to ultra-competitive schools, you’ll see exactly what you’re paying for. No smoke and mirrors, just results.

What to Look for in a College Consultant

Not all college consultants are created equal. You need someone who actually knows what they’re doing—and that doesn’t just mean someone who was an admissions counselor for the Ivy League. Would you hire a food critic to teach you how to cook? Exactly. Same logic applies here.

When you do an intake with a college counseling company, ask:

Have you personally applied and been accepted to competitive schools?
What’s your approach to storytelling and personal branding in applications?
Can you show past students' results without violating privacy?
Do you write essays for students? (If the answer is yes, run.)
What’s included in your pricing, and do you charge different rates for different families?

A great consultant isn’t just someone who edits your kid’s essays. They help craft a cohesive application strategy that makes sense for their unique story. If they dodge your questions or try to upsell you into a vague "premium package," that’s your cue to walk away.

Packages & Outsourcing

Another trick? The big firms sell you on a well-known consultant’s name and then pawn you off to someone else.

If you’re paying $200+/hr, you should be working directly with the person you hired—not some random junior consultant making $50 while the company pockets the rest.

How to Avoid Getting Pawned Off:
✔️ Ask who will actually be working with your kid. If it’s not the person you met, that’s a no-go.
✔️ Avoid vague descriptions like ‘our team of experts.’ Who exactly are these experts? ✔️ If they push a package but won’t let you meet the coach first? Walk away.

Personally? I think that’s shady. If you hire Top Dog College Admissions, you get me. No middlemen. No junior associates doing the heavy lifting while the big name collects a check. You’re paying for expertise, and you’re actually getting it.

Be Smart With Your Money

If you take nothing else from this, remember:

🚩 If a consultant is vague about their process? Red flag.
🤥 If they promise Ivy League results? They’re lying.
💸 If they charge $20K but you never talk to an actual expert? That’s a scam.
🤨 If they won’t tell you the price upfront? They’re trying to charge you as much as possible.

Find someone who actually understands your student and delivers real results. Whether that’s me or someone else, just don’t get played.