Higher-Ed Analytics & Consulting

Financial benchmarking and policy analysis for colleges and universities

Identify emerging challenges, benchmark performance against peers, and uncover policy opportunities using audit-level data.

Audit-level data AI-driven benchmarking Policy insights
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Proven Across the Sector

Experience spanning 170+ higher-education institutions

We have supported engagements involving 170+ higher-education institutions, either through direct partnerships with schools or through our partners.

Baylor Ohio Wesleyan Wooster Ursinus FuturED Finance Rize Education NACUBO Lycoming College Doane University Small College Consulting A Big 3 Consulting Firm Minnesota Head Start Baylor Ohio Wesleyan Wooster Ursinus FuturED Finance Rize Education NACUBO Lycoming College Doane University Small College Consulting A Big 3 Consulting Firm Minnesota Head Start

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Which path is right for you?

Choose the product based on your role and the kind of decisions you need to make.

Financial Compass

Go here if you want to do high-level benchmarking yourself.

Best for people who want self-serve access to financials, operational metrics, and AI-generated insight reports that summarize a college's performance relative to peers and the sector.

  • College advisors
  • Executive recruiters
  • Faculty
  • Analysts and institutional researchers
  • Students, families, and other stakeholders tracking financial and operational health

Start with Financial Compass for broad benchmarking, AI insights, and fast institutional comparison →
Strategic Compass

Go here if you need deeper benchmarking and expert support for your institution or client.

Best for institutional leaders who need more detailed and rigorous benchmarking and analysis and consulting support to inform policy decisions.

  • Presidents, provosts, and cabinet members
  • CFOs, finance teams, and administrators
  • Board members and trustees
  • Higher-education consultants
  • Leaders weighing policy changes, performance gaps, future scenarios, or consulting support

Start with Strategic Compass for detailed benchmarking and decision support →

Our Solutions

Data-driven tools for decisive action.

Data Access & Benchmarking

The Financial Compass

A self-serve benchmarking platform for broad institutional comparison. Explore harmonized financial and operational data, review peer performance quickly, and surface AI-generated takeaways without needing a custom engagement.

  • Benchmark against peers in seconds
  • Flag financial risks early
  • Dive into detailed institutional profiles
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Strategic Insight & Advisory

Strategic Compass

A detailed and rigorous benchmarking and advisory offering for leaders making policy and strategy decisions. Go beyond broad comparison with deeper peer analysis, forward-looking modeling, and expert support tailored to your institution or client.

  • ML-driven "True Peer" selection
  • Predictive performance modeling
  • Policy impact & cost-benefit analysis
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About

Expertise in analytics, policy, and finance.

The Team

Matthew Hendricks

Founder & CEO

Matthew Hendricks is a data analytics and consulting expert who specializes in using AI and data tools to help clients make better policy and business decisions. He has served as an economics professor and holds a PhD in Applied Economics.

Matthew Pearson

Partner

Matthew Pearson has worked for over three decades in higher education finance, both as an investment banker and as an advisor, with deep experience supporting not-for-profit organizations.

Our Story

We believe powerful analytics should not be reserved for organizations with the deepest pockets. Too many institutions have the data needed to improve outcomes, yet remain unable to unlock its value because of limited budgets, staff, or specialized expertise.

Our Mission

Our mission is to democratize advanced analytics. We provide high-impact, accessible solutions that allow leaders to make smarter, faster, and more confident decisions regardless of size or budget.

Why Institutions Hire PDS

  • Current data infrastructure built from audited financials, IRS Form 990s, and sector-specific sources.
  • Higher-ed policy fluency, not generic analytics consulting.
  • Clear translation from benchmark findings to strategic decisions and board-level action.

Contact

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