An overview of the Common Data Set, its connection to Seattle University, a breakdown of sections, and download links.
The Common Data Set was designed to serve as the standard set of information collected by a number of different survey bodies such as U.S. News and World Report, Peterson's Guide, the College Guide and others. It includes sections that detail enrollment, financial aid, admissions, and class size.
The Common Data Set Initiative describes itself as...
The Common Data Set initiative is a collaborative effort among data providers in the higher education community and publishers as represented by the College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News & World Report. The combined goal of this collaboration is to improve the quality and accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student’s transition into higher education, as well as to reduce the reporting burden on data providers.
The CDS is a set of standards and definitions of data items rather than a survey instrument or set of data represented in a database. Each of the higher education surveys conducted by the participating publishers incorporates items from the CDS as well as unique items proprietary to each publisher. Consequently, the publishers’ surveys differ in that they utilize varying numbers of items from the CDS.
Those who report data for their colleges are urged to abide by the definitions and the cohorts specified when answering CDS items. They are also urged to use the answers to CDS items when responding to the numerous survey requests they receive, by distributing photocopies of their answers, posting them on their websites, or by other effective means.
CommonDataSet.org [How to attribute?]
More information can be found at their website at commondataset.org, including their goals, standards, and updates.
The Common Data Set Initiative is driven by CollegeBoard, U.S. News & World, and Peterson's. Commondataset.org highlights that...
College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News provide significant outreach opportunities to schools that participate in their annual survey efforts. The information provided by schools is used in both print and web products that are produced by each publisher.
These publications reach several key markets which help to attract potential students to your school. The markets include the consumer market where these books can be purchased in bookstores like Barnes & Noble or on websites like Amazon.com; the library market where these titles appear in public libraries and high school libraries; and in the guidance counselor market where high school counselors use these books in their advising roles in helping students achieve their dream of a college education.
In addition to printed media these same publishers post your school’s data on their websites and partner with organizations that license this information and provide more outreach for your school.
The data discovered in these surveys help students discover Seattle University, and by providing this information, Seattle University staff and faculty can gain insight into data that attracts prospective students.
The Common Data Set is broken into the following sections.