Evan Castillo
Expertise
- Scholarly Article Reporting
- Free-Tuition Colleges
- Student Financial Aid
- College Closures
Education
- BA Journalism, BA Psychology, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Evan Castillo is a news reporter covering colleges and universities in North Carolina and beyond. He specializes in student-driven stories and speaks with researchers and university admins about studies regarding underserved populations.
Evan regularly updates our lists of colleges offering free tuition, recently closed colleges, and the largest donations to colleges and universities.
Evan joined BestColleges as an associate writer in 2022 after graduating from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he earned a BA in Journalism and a BA in Psychology. As a student, he covered university policy and student stories in the student newspaper, The Daily Tar Heel.
While at BestColleges, Evan’s work has been featured in multiple news outlets, such as AOL, the Charlotte Observer, the Washington Post, Forbes, and the Miami Herald, as well as by schools like Purdue University, Ohio State University, and Gonzaga University. Two research journals highlighted his list of colleges requiring the COVID-19 vaccine.
Read Evan Castillo's Latest Articles
Best Cities to Get a Job After Graduation
Looking for the best city to launch your career after college? A new ADP report ranks the top U.S. metro areas for graduates based on hiring rates, salary, and cost of living.
Tracking College Closures and Mergers
Close to 80 private nonprofit colleges closed or merged between 2020 and 2024. Find historical data about college closures and a list of closed colleges and mergers.
July 23, 2025
529 Plans Now Cover Trade Schools, Credentialing, and More Under New Federal Law
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act expands 529 plans beyond college to cover trade schools, credentialing programs, AP tests, tutoring, and workforce training, offering families more flexible, tax-free education savings options.
7 Best Trade School Jobs
Want to jump into a thriving career? We've highlighted the seven best trade school jobs based on salary and projected job growth.
July 21, 2025
Is Community College Free? Yes, in These States
Get an associate degree, certificates, or workforce training tuition-free in 34 states.
July 18, 2025
