The Common Data Set is a questionnaire developed by the College Board, in conjunction with universities and publishers, which standardizes core reporting metrics across U.S. universities.
The Common Data Set provides information on the following topics:
- A. General Information about the University of Arizona
- B. Enrollment and Persistence
- C. First-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Admission
- D. Transfer Admission
- E. Academic Offerings and Policies
- F. Student Life
- G. Annual Expenses - tuition, fees, room and board
- H. Financial Aid
- I. Instructional Faculty and Class Size, Student to Faculty ratio
- J. Undergraduate Degrees Conferred - by area of study
This nationally known survey is a useful tool for prospective students and their parents, as well as a means for universities to easily compare themselves with peer institutions. This questionnaire is used by various publishers as a primary data source for ranking and comparing undergraduate institutions.
Definitions of the terms used in the CDS are at the end of the .pdf files.