How to Use the College Scorecard API MCP in Claude Code

Q: How do I add the College Scorecard API to Claude Code?

Run the claude mcp add command with the HTTP transport flag to link the server. Claude Code will instantly recognize the college search tools.

Q: Can Claude Code export College Scorecard API data to a CSV?

Yes. Ask Claude Code to run listcollegesbystate and redirect the output to a local CSV file.

Q: How does Claude Code handle ZIP searches with the College Scorecard API?

Claude Code calls listcollegesbyzip with your target ZIP code. It then formats the list of nearby schools directly in your terminal.

Q: Can I check tuition fees for a specific school?

Use getcollegedetails with the school ID to output detailed tuition, cost of attendance, and average student debt.

Pipe US college performance and cost data straight to your terminal by connecting Claude Code to the College Scorecard API.

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Connect College Scorecard API MCP to Claude Code

Create your Vinkius account to connect College Scorecard API to Claude Code and route execution through our secure gateway. The platform manages server hosting, runtime updates, and security layers. Configuration requires no manual server provisioning.

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Setup College Scorecard API with Claude Code

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Query academic databases from the Claude Code CLI

`search_colleges` queries the federal database from your terminal command line to find schools matching specific parameters. Claude Code triggers the search and pipes the raw output directly to other command-line utilities. You can grep, awk, or redirect the JSON payload to local files. This MCP Server eliminates the need for browser-based research, keeping you entirely within your terminal environment.

Bulk export regional school datasets

`list_colleges_by_state` exports full lists of institutions within a state directly to your terminal. Claude Code combines this with `list_colleges_by_zip` to filter schools by geographic proximity. You can instantly generate CSV files of local colleges. The agent handles the pagination and formatting, saving the clean output to your current working directory.

Audit program outcomes via shell commands

`get_fields_of_study` pulls cost and earnings data for specific majors without leaving your SSH session. Claude Code runs this tool alongside `get_college_details` to audit institution performance. You get immediate access to graduation rates and median salaries. The terminal MCP agent formats the raw statistics into readable terminal tables for quick review.

Setup guide

Set up College Scorecard API MCP in Claude Code

Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed (npm install -g @anthropic-ai/claude-code)
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Run the add command

Open your terminal and run the command shown on the right. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com. Use --scope user to make it available across all projects.
2

Verify the connection

Start a Claude Code session and type /mcp to list connected servers. You should see college-scorecard-api-mcp with a green status indicator.
3

Start using tools

Ask Claude Code something like "Check my latest College Scorecard API transactions." It will automatically discover and invoke the available College Scorecard API tools.

Terminal

claude mcp add --transport http college-scorecard-api-mcp https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp

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Prerequisites

Claude Code CLI installed
Active Vinkius subscription with a valid endpoint token

1

Open the config file

Create or edit .mcp.json in your project root for project-level scope, or ~/.claude.json for user-level scope.
2

Add the College Scorecard API MCP

Paste the JSON snippet shown on the right into the mcpServers object. Replace [YOUR_TOKEN_HERE] with your endpoint token from cloud.vinkius.com.
3

Restart Claude Code

Start a new Claude Code session. Type /mcp to confirm the server is connected. The tools will be automatically available in your conversation.

.mcp.json

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "college-scorecard-api-mcp": {
      "type": "url",
      "url": "https://edge.vinkius.com/[YOUR_TOKEN_HERE]/mcp"
    }
  }
}

Get your connection token →

Independent Platform Disclaimer: Vinkius is an independent platform and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, sponsored by, verified by, or otherwise authorized by College Scorecard. All third-party trademarks, logos, and brand names are the property of their respective owners. Their use on this website is strictly for informational purposes to identify service compatibility and interoperability.

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Common questions about College Scorecard API MCP in Claude Code

Run the `claude mcp add` command with the HTTP transport flag to link the server. Claude Code will instantly recognize the college search tools.

Yes. Ask Claude Code to run `list_colleges_by_state` and redirect the output to a local CSV file.

Claude Code calls `list_colleges_by_zip` with your target ZIP code. It then formats the list of nearby schools directly in your terminal.

Use `get_college_details` with the school ID to output detailed tuition, cost of attendance, and average student debt.

Vinkius routes all US college data requests through an isolated, zero-trust MCP sandbox. Your local terminal commands and environment variables remain completely private.

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