Feb. 14 2024, Published 3:49 p.m. ET
When Alex Boylan won Season 2 of CBS’s hit show The Amazing Race, his life changed forever. Now, more than 20 years later, he’s using the power of television to change the lives of so many others with The College Tour, an Amazon-streaming series that brings the campus right to your living room.
Created by Boylan and his fellow executive producers Lisa Hennessy, one of the original members of Mark Burnett Productions and a driving force behind the creation of some of reality’s most beloved TV series, and Survivor: Pearl Islands fan-favorite turned travel- host Burton Roberts, The College Tour takes the viewer right to campus, giving every day people access to higher education like never before, without having to spend money or time traveling there.
“Touring colleges can be cost-prohibitive for so many families, and what this show does is equalize the playing field, by taking the burden of cost out of the equation,” said Boylan.
“Each episode you go to a different school and meet 10 students who share their unique, and diverse experiences about life on campus. It’s the ultimate tool for students and their families. It’s college, but like you’ve never seen it before,” he added.
With 150 episodes and counting, The College Tour navigates its way across America, bringing you everything from small schools in Alaska to large state schools in California, private schools in Indiana, HBCUs, Hispanic Serving Institutions, Community Colleges and more
“No two colleges are alike, and our show helps each student find the school that is right for them,” added Boylan. “This is TV that truly matters.”
With the upcoming release of their 11th Season on Amazon, and their recently launched spin-off series The College Tour en Espanol, which helps Spanish-Speaking students find their pathway to higher education, Boylan and his team are breaking down barriers and harnessing the power of storytelling for a better world.
In addition to Amazon, all episodes of The College Tour are available for free on their website along with a myriad of free resources designed to take the stress out of the search. They have digital series ranging in topics from Dorm Tours and Navigating Financial to Ask Admissions. Along with the supplemental resources, including free video-based classes to help narrow down the search based on your own interests and requirements, a comprehensive blog, and a Tour Page for every college in the country.
When choosing the right college, Boylan recommends that students keep these four key factors in mind; location, majors, school size and campus culture.
“College is the journey of a lifetime, and I am so excited to play a role in this epic adventure through education,” Boylan said.