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Using figures and facts has become a keystone of my reporting and writing. In my time at BestColleges, I wrote several session-driving data reports that span across different topics in higher education, from sports to the cost of college. At Columbia, I became proficient in several data tools, including Microsoft Excel, OpenRefine, Tableau Public and Kumu. 

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College Application Fees: What It Costs to Apply | BestColleges

Lyss Welding is a higher education analyst and data writer for BestColleges who specializes in translating massive data sets and finding statistics that matter to students. Lyss has worked in academic research, curriculum design, and program evaluati...

Chloe Appleby is an associate writer for BestColleges. She contributes to both the News and Data teams, writing both higher education news stories and data reports for the site. She graduated from Davidson College with a BA in English and commun
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Alcohol Use in College: Facts and Stats | BestColleges

It's no secret that college students drink alcohol, but questions of how much and how often remain. Here's what we know about student alcohol use in college.

Note: This data report contains content related to alcohol use disorder, suicide, and sexual assault. Please take note of these confidential and free resources, all available 24/7. If you are experiencing a life-threatening situation, seek help or dial 911.

If you are experiencing substance use disorder, please call the Substance Abuse an
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Student Drug Use and Misuse in College | BestColleges

College students are using cannabis, tobacco and nicotine delivery products, hallucinogens, and prescription stimulants at the highest rate in years.

Note: If you are experiencing substance use disorder, please call the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration national hotline at 1-800-662-HELP (4357) for treatment referral and information services, both in English and Spanish.

For the nearly 16 million college students in the U.S., college can be a place for unmatched explora
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Who Has the Most National Championships in College Football? | BestColleges

The real team with the most college football championships hasn't brought home a title in nearly a century. Find out which teams have the most wins and who's considered the all-time champ.

In 1869, across the span of eight days, two football games were played between Princeton and Rutgers, marking the first-ever college football season.[2]

More than 150 years later, college football is one of the most popular sports to watch in the U.S.

However, naming a Division I national champ is complicat
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Which College Has Won the Most Heisman Trophies? | BestColleges

Four colleges are tied for the most Heisman Trophy winners, but nearly 40 schools since 1935 have been home to the highest honor in college football.

In 1935, New York's Downtown Athletic Club (DAC), led by athletic director John Heisman, awarded the University of Chicago's Jay Berwanger with the first DAC Trophy. After Heisman's death a year later, the trophy was renamed the Heisman Memorial Trophy, as it is still known today.[3]

Since then, a selection committee has chosen the best college f
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How Many People Have Student Loan Debt? | BestColleges

Just over 42 million Americans have federal student loan debt. Find out how many people have student loan debt by year, state, age, degree level, and other demographics in this guide.

One of the most important considerations that students think about when making their college choice is cost and how they are going to pay for school.

Federal student loans can help students pursue higher education if they are not able to afford the rising cost of college on their own. However, with student loans
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Gen Z Students Say Abortion, Gun Policy Top Election Issues | BestColleges

A new BestColleges survey suggests Gen Z students are planning to vote their values this November, though their trust in politics remains low.

In the wake of the recent overturning of Roe v. Wade, and with school shootings continuing to fill headlines, Gen Z students may be bringing their distinct agenda to the ballot box this year.

In a new BestColleges survey of over 1,000 current or prospective undergraduate and graduate students, Gen Z students selected abortion (37%) and gun policy/contro