Common Data Set

The Common Data Set (CDS) is a standard set of questions used by college guidebook publishers to collect commonly requested statistics about colleges and universities.? Questions and definitions used by the U.S. Department of Education in its college surveys are a guide in the development of CDS items. CDS items undergo broad review by secondary schools and two-and four-year colleges. The following content is contained in each year's CDS:

  • General Information

  • Enrollment and Persistence

  • First-Time, First-Year (Freshman Admission

  • Transfer Admission

  • Academic Offerings and Policies

  • Student Life

  • Annual Expenses

  • Financial Aid

  • Instructional Faculty and Class Size