# College Scorecard MCP MCP > College Scorecard API provides access to US college performance and cost data directly through your agent. Instead of navigating complex government portals, you can ask for school details by zip code, state, or city, getting verified records on enrollment size, tuition costs, and academic programs instantly. ## Overview - **Category:** data-analytics - **Price:** Free - **Tags:** higher-education, school-performance, enrollment-data, cost-analysis, public-records ## Description This MCP lets your AI client handle all the heavy lifting in college research. You no longer have to jump between multiple department websites just to compare schools. Your agent takes the raw data from the Department of Education's API and presents it as answers to natural questions. Whether you need a list of every school near 90210, or specific details on program costs for a certain major, your agent handles the query and pulls the official records right into your chat window. Because this MCP is hosted on Vinkius, you access all US college data through one connection point, so you don't have to manage multiple data sources. It’s like having an expert education consultant available 24/7, grounding every piece of information in verified public records. ## Tools ### get_college_details Retrieves the complete profile data for a single, specific college using its unique ID. ### get_fields_of_study Gets detailed information about academic programs or fields of study offered at an institution. ### list_colleges_by_city Lists all colleges and universities located within a specified city boundary. ### list_colleges_by_state Retrieves a comprehensive list of schools for an entire state. ### list_colleges_by_zip Lists colleges and universities that are geographically close to a provided ZIP code. ### search_colleges Performs a general search across all US college records by name or keyword. ## Prompt Examples **Prompt:** ``` Search for schools named 'Harvard' using College Scorecard API. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved several matches for Harvard. Notable entries include Harvard University in Cambridge, MA. Would you like the enrollment details or the official school website link? ``` **Prompt:** ``` List colleges in the state of 'NY'. ``` **Response:** ``` I've retrieved the list of schools in New York. Notable entries include NYU, Columbia, and Cornell. I can provide the specific ID and city for each if you'd like. ``` **Prompt:** ``` What is the student size for school ID 166027? ``` **Response:** ``` I've identified school ID 166027 as Harvard University. The latest student body size is approximately 7,500 undergraduates. Would you like the full program and cost metadata for this school? ``` ## Capabilities ### Search for schools by location Find and list thousands of colleges based on a specific state, city, or ZIP code. ### Get full school profiles Retrieve detailed metadata for any single college using its unique ID. ### Audit academic programs Check the specific fields of study offered by an institution to understand their curriculum offerings. ### Analyze tuition and costs Pull official data on a school's costs, helping with financial planning for higher education. ### Perform general searches Search across the entire database of US colleges by name or keyword. ## Use Cases ### Mapping local academic opportunities A counselor needs to show parents all available schools within 5 miles of a specific neighborhood. They ask the agent, and it uses `list_colleges_by_zip` to generate an immediate list of viable options. ### Verifying institutional scale A researcher needs to know if Harvard University (ID 166027) has seen a change in student body size. They run `get_college_details` and get the latest official enrollment metadata for immediate comparison. ### Comparing niche programs A parent wants to know about marine biology programs at several colleges. Instead of searching site by site, they use `get_fields_of_study` to query that specific major across multiple institutions. ### Broad market research An administrator needs a quick list of all potential partners in the Midwest. They run `list_colleges_by_state` for 'IL' and get a comprehensive list to start cross-functional outreach. ## Benefits - When you need to know schools in a region, use `list_colleges_by_state` or `list_colleges_by_city`. This gets you lists of institutions without manual map searches. - Need to compare two universities? Run `get_college_details` on both IDs. You'll get side-by-side data points, including enrollment size and location. - For program research, use `get_fields_of_study`. It lets you drill down into specific majors—not just the college name—to confirm academic offerings. - Cost planning is simple. The MCP provides cost analysis data directly when querying schools, so you don't have to piece together tuition from multiple sources. - If you only know a rough area, `list_colleges_by_zip` finds nearby options automatically. It narrows down your search field instantly. ## How It Works The bottom line is that you talk to the MCP through your client, and it handles all the complex data requests behind the scenes. 1. Subscribe to this MCP and provide your Data.gov API Key. 2. Connect your preferred agent (Claude, Cursor, etc.) using Vinkius. 3. Ask your agent a natural language question, like 'List all schools in Texas offering engineering programs.' ## Frequently Asked Questions **How do I find all colleges in California? (list_colleges_by_state)** You use `list_colleges_by_state`. This tool pulls every official school record for that state, giving you a complete list to work with. **Can I get program cost details using get_fields_of_study? (get_fields_of_study)** While `get_fields_of_study` confirms the existence of an academic field, running `get_college_details` will give you the full financial metadata needed for cost analysis. **What if I only know a ZIP code? (list_colleges_by_zip)** Use `list_colleges_by_zip`. This tool searches the official database and returns all institutions located near that specific postal code, saving you manual research. **Which tool do I use for general school searches? (search_colleges)** For a broad search based on names or keywords across the entire US database, use `search_colleges`. It's designed to cast a wide net of initial possibilities. **What is the required format when using `get_college_details`?** You must provide a valid, unique college ID. The tool requires this specific identifier to pull comprehensive data for one institution only. This method ensures you get accurate records without needing a name or location search first. **What happens if I run many searches using `list_colleges_by_city`?** The MCP handles rate limits automatically, but excessive calls may require pausing your agent. For bulk data needs, structure your queries into batches to maintain consistent performance and avoid hitting usage caps. **How should I handle complex searches when using `search_colleges`?** For optimal results, refine your search terms with specific keywords. If the initial search returns too many options, use a follow-up tool like listing by state or zip code to narrow down your focus. **Does `get_college_details` return all fields of study information?** It returns full metadata for the college, which includes details about its programs. However, if you only need a specific field's cost structure, running `get_fields_of_study` separately is more direct. **How do I find my College Scorecard API Key?** Register for a free API Key at [**Data.gov**](https://api.data.gov/signup/). Your key will be displayed instantly and sent via email. Copy and paste it below. **Can the agent filter by school state?** Yes. Use the `list_colleges_by_state` tool providing the 2-letter ISO state code (e.g., 'CA' for California). Your agent will return all matching schools in that state instantly. **Is student body size data provided?** Yes. The school records retrieved by your agent include the latest official student size (enrollment) for undergraduate programs where available.