Privacy Policy

This Privacy Policy explains how DegreeCalc ("we", "our", "us") collects, uses, discloses, and safeguards information when you visit degreecalc.com (the "Site"). By using the Site, you consent to the practices described below. If you do not agree, please discontinue use of the Site.

1. Information We Do Not Collect

DegreeCalc's calculators are designed to run entirely in your browser. Any data you enter — including family income, EFC inputs, loan amounts, interest rates, GPA, major choices, tuition estimates, scholarships, and similar — is processed locally on your device using client-side JavaScript. We do not transmit that data to our servers, we do not save it, and we cannot access it. Closing the browser tab erases it.

DegreeCalc does not require registration. We do not create user accounts, we do not ask for your Social Security number, FAFSA credentials, bank information, or government identification, and we do not accept uploaded financial aid documents.

2. Information Automatically Collected

When you visit the Site, our hosting provider and analytics tools may automatically collect:

• IP address (used for rate-limiting, security, and rough geolocation)
• Browser type, operating system, device type, and screen resolution
• Referring URL, pages visited, time on page, and navigation paths
• Approximate geographic region (derived from IP)
• Anonymous event data (for example, which calculator was opened)

3. Cookies and Similar Technologies

DegreeCalc uses cookies and comparable technologies for the following purposes:

• Essential cookies: required for the Site to function.
• Analytics cookies: Google Analytics 4 ("GA4") to understand aggregated traffic patterns. IP addresses are anonymized where supported.
• Advertising cookies: served by third-party ad networks (see Section 4) to measure ad performance and, where permitted, personalize ads.

4. Third-Party Advertising and Google AdSense

DegreeCalc is supported by advertising. We work with third-party vendors, including Google AdSense, to serve ads on our Site.

• Google, as a third-party vendor, uses cookies to serve ads on DegreeCalc.
• Google's use of advertising cookies enables it and its partners to serve ads to users based on their visits to this and other websites.
• Users may opt out of personalized advertising by visiting Google Ads Settings or opt out of third-party vendor cookies by visiting www.aboutads.info.

Google AdSense may use the DoubleClick DART cookie to serve ads based on prior visits to this and other websites. Third-party ad networks we work with may collect non-personally identifiable information such as device identifiers, browser type, and browsing behavior to improve ad relevance and measure performance.

5. Analytics

We use Google Analytics 4 to measure aggregate traffic. Google Analytics may use cookies and process data including IP address and usage events. Google's use of data is governed by the Google Privacy Policy. You may opt out of Google Analytics by installing the Google Analytics Opt-out Browser Add-on.

6. Your Rights and Choices

Depending on your jurisdiction, you may have rights under the California Consumer Privacy Act (CCPA), California Privacy Rights Act (CPRA), EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), UK GDPR, and similar regulations. These rights may include:

• The right to know what personal information is collected, used, shared, or sold.
• The right to request deletion of personal information we hold about you.
• The right to opt out of the sale or sharing of personal information.
• The right to non-discrimination for exercising your privacy rights.
• For EU/UK residents: rights to access, rectification, erasure, restriction, portability, and objection.

Because DegreeCalc does not collect personal information you enter into calculators, most "deletion" requests will relate to analytics or advertising cookies, which you can manage directly through browser controls and the opt-out links in Section 4. To exercise any right, email us at [email protected].

7. Children's Privacy

DegreeCalc's general calculators are not directed to children under 13. We do not knowingly collect personal information from children under 13. If you believe a child has provided us personal information, please contact us and we will delete it promptly. We comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA).

8. Data Retention

Because we do not store calculator inputs, there is nothing to retain on that front. Aggregate analytics data is retained according to Google Analytics default retention (up to 26 months) and may be anonymized or deleted after that period. Server logs containing IP addresses are rotated within 30 days.

9. Security

We serve the Site over HTTPS and employ industry-standard safeguards to protect the integrity of our infrastructure. However, no Internet transmission is 100% secure, and we cannot guarantee absolute security of information transmitted to or from the Site.

10. International Users

DegreeCalc is operated from the United States. By using the Site, you consent to the transfer of your information (such as IP address and analytics data) to the United States.

11. Do Not Track

Our Site does not currently respond to Do Not Track ("DNT") browser signals because no uniform DNT standard has been finalized. You can still manage tracking preferences through cookie controls and the opt-out resources listed above.

12. Third-Party Links

The Site may link to third-party websites (for example, NCES, ED.gov, partner calculator sites). We are not responsible for the privacy practices of those sites. Review the privacy policy of any site you visit through a link from DegreeCalc.

13. Changes to This Policy

We may update this Privacy Policy periodically to reflect changes in our practices, legal requirements, or the services offered. The "Last updated" date at the top will indicate the most recent revision. Material changes will be highlighted on this page for at least 30 days.

14. Contact Us

For questions about this Privacy Policy, contact us at [email protected].