I'm Ryan Clark, and I’ve dedicated my career to helping families like yours navigate the complex world of college admissions and financial aid. As a college planning expert, best-selling author, and speaker, my mission is to make the process easier, more affordable, and far less stressful.

My journey into college consulting began with a personal realization—I saw firsthand how overwhelming and expensive higher education can be. As the son of a teacher and a small business owner, I experienced the financial strain families face when trying to afford college. That’s why I made it my goal to develop strategies that help students get into the right schools while ensuring families pay wholesale instead of retail for tuition.

Over the past 17+ years, I’ve helped thousands of families across the U.S. save an average of $40,000 to $60,000 per child in college costs. My unique approach blends admissions expertise with financial planning, ensuring students find schools that are the right academic, social, and financial fit.

I earned my MBA from Queens University in Charlotte and a degree in Marine Systems Engineering from the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. Before founding Clark College Consulting, I worked with Fortune 500 companies like SeaLand and General Electric and served as a Lieutenant in the U.S. Naval Reserve. I bring this analytical, results-driven mindset to every family I work with.