Connecting Students to College Success
Our mission is straightforward: connect students to college success by providing trusted assessments, planning tools, and financial aid resources that support access to higher education for all.
Access & Equity
We're committed to serving all students—including first-generation and low-income students—with tools, resources, and support that remove barriers to college success.
Student-Centered Approach
Every program, tool, and decision we make starts with students at the center. We listen to what students, parents, and educators need—and we deliver.
Research-Backed Innovation
Our world-class research informs everything we do. Evidence-based programs, continuous improvement, and a commitment to staying ahead of education trends define our work.
Partnership & Trust
More than 6,000 member institutions and organizations trust us. We partner with schools, colleges, families, and educators to create an integrated ecosystem supporting the entire college journey.
Founded in 1900, College Board operates as a not-for-profit organization dedicated to expanding access to higher education. Our nonprofit mission means we reinvest in our programs and our commitment to serving students, not shareholder returns.
Our History & Impact
For over 120 years, College Board has been advancing educational equity and connecting millions of students to college success. Our legacy is built on continuous innovation, research-backed programs, and an unwavering commitment to access.
Milestones in Our History
1900
College Board founded with a mission to expand access to higher education and establish consistent college admission standards across the United States.
1926
Introduction of the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT), revolutionizing college admissions by providing a standardized, equitable assessment tool.
1955
Launch of the Advanced Placement (AP) program, enabling high school students to earn college credit and pursue advanced coursework.
1996
Introduction of the PSAT/NMSQT (Preliminary SAT/National Merit Scholarship Qualifying Test), helping middle and high school students prepare for college and identify scholarship opportunities.
2006
Launch of BigFuture, a comprehensive college planning and search platform connecting students to colleges and financial aid resources.
Today
College Board continues to innovate, serving millions of students annually through integrated testing, college search, and financial aid tools trusted by 6,000+ member institutions worldwide.
Our Impact by the Numbers
Years of Leadership
120+
Member Institutions
6,000+
Students Served Annually
Millions
Programs & Services
20+
Evolution & Continuous Innovation
From Testing to Ecosystem
College Board has evolved from a single testing organization into an integrated platform spanning standardized assessments, college search tools, financial aid resources, and professional development for educators—all designed to work together in support of student success.
Expanding Access & Equity
From fee waivers and free SAT practice on Khan Academy to AP fee reduction programs, College Board has consistently worked to remove barriers to college readiness for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
Research-Backed Innovation
College Board's world-class research team continuously studies college readiness, admissions outcomes, and financial aid effectiveness—ensuring our programs remain evidence-based and responsive to evolving student and institutional needs.
Digital-First & Mobile-Ready
Recognizing how today's students learn and plan, College Board has invested in mobile-friendly tools, personalized recommendation engines, and integrated digital workflows that meet students where they are.
Our Commitment Going Forward
As we look to the future, College Board remains committed to advancing educational equity, supporting college access for all students, and innovating in response to the evolving landscape of higher education. We will continue to research, develop, and refine our programs to ensure every student has the tools and support they need to find their path to college success.
Our nonprofit mission guides every decision we make. We exist to serve students, families, educators, and institutions—not shareholders.
Trusted by 6,000+ Member Institutions
College Board's membership spans colleges, universities, schools, and educational organizations across the United States, Canada, and internationally. Together, we're building a stronger ecosystem for college readiness and student success.
Comprehensive Member Benefits
Access to integrated tools for student recruitment, admissions support, financial aid administration, and institutional research.
Diverse Member Community
From small liberal arts colleges to large research universities, community colleges to K-12 schools—our members represent the full spectrum of education.
Strategic Partnerships
Collaborations with educational organizations, government agencies, and nonprofits to advance college access and equity.
Our membership-driven approach ensures that College Board remains responsive to the needs of students, educators, and institutions. Members shape our programs, provide feedback on innovation, and help us stay focused on our mission: connecting students to college success.
Research-Backed Innovation
College Board's commitment to world-class research informs every program we develop and every tool we improve. Evidence-based practice drives our mission to support college access and student success.
College Readiness
Our research explores how students develop readiness for college-level work, what skills matter most for success, and how assessments like the SAT and AP exams measure college readiness in meaningful ways.
Admissions & Access
We investigate how colleges use assessments and planning tools in admissions decisions, and how to ensure our programs support access for first-generation, low-income, and underrepresented students.
Financial Aid & Equity
Our research examines financial aid complexity, the effectiveness of CSS Profile and other tools in supporting affordability, and strategies to close opportunity gaps in college access.
How Research Informs Our Work
Program Development
Research findings guide the design of new assessments, tools, and resources—ensuring they measure what matters and support student success.
Continuous Improvement
We regularly evaluate our programs through research and data analysis, identifying opportunities to improve effectiveness and accessibility.
Policy & Practice
Our research informs conversations with policymakers, educators, and institutions about college readiness, admissions, and financial aid best practices.
Equity & Access
Research helps us understand and address barriers to college access, ensuring our programs support all students, especially those from underrepresented backgrounds.
Student Success
We study outcomes across our ecosystem—how SAT preparation, college search, and financial aid tools contribute to student enrollment and college completion.
Innovation
Emerging research on technology, personalization, and mobile-first learning informs our ongoing innovation in testing, college search, and planning tools.
Research Publications & Insights
College Board publishes research findings, data briefs, and insights that advance understanding of college readiness, admissions, and access. Our work appears in peer-reviewed journals, conference presentations, and public reports.
Annual Reports
Comprehensive data on SAT participation, performance trends, college enrollment, and demographic patterns that inform national conversations about college readiness.
Research Briefs
In-depth analyses of key topics: test-optional admissions, AP effectiveness, financial aid complexity, and equity in college access. Designed for educators and policymakers.
Peer-Reviewed Publications
College Board researchers contribute to academic journals on educational assessment, college admissions, financial aid, and student success outcomes.
Insights & Trends
Regular updates on college readiness trends, admissions landscape shifts, financial aid developments, and emerging best practices in education.
Commitment to Evidence-Based Practice
College Board's research and innovation are grounded in rigorous methodology and transparent practices. We believe that decisions affecting students' educational futures should be informed by evidence, not assumptions.
Our research teams work with leading universities, education organizations, and data scientists to ensure our findings are credible, actionable, and focused on improving college readiness and access for all students.
- Transparent methodology and peer review
- Collaboration with academic experts and institutions
- Focus on equity and student success outcomes
- Regular evaluation and continuous improvement
Why Research Matters
For Students & Families
Research-backed tools help you prepare effectively, make informed college decisions, and understand financial aid options.
For Educators & Counselors
Evidence informs best practices for supporting student college readiness and managing programs at scale.
For Institutions
Data-driven insights support recruitment, admissions, financial aid decisions, and institutional planning.
For Policy
Research informs conversations about college readiness, assessment, financial aid, and access at the national level.