University Reports

Institutional data analytics are critical for ensuring transparency, accountability, and effective decision-making within higher education institutions. Federal and state agencies and organizations like the NCAA require institutions to submit data through various reporting frameworks. Below is a comprehensive overview of key federal and state reports—IPEDS, THECB CBM, The Common Data Set, and NCAA Graduation Rates—detailing their purposes and content.

Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

Overview:
The U.S. Department of Education developed the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS). It collects data from all U.S. colleges, universities, and technical and vocational institutions participating in federal student financial aid programs.

Purpose:

  • To provide a comprehensive picture of postsecondary education in the U.S.
  • To support higher education policy, planning, and decision-making.
  • To help institutions benchmark themselves against national averages and peer groups.

Content:

  • Enrollment Data: Information about the number of students (undergraduate, graduate) enrolled and their demographics.
  • Graduation Rates: Includes 4-year, 6-year, and transfer-out graduation rates data.
  • Faculty and Staff: Faculty counts by academic discipline and faculty-to-student ratios.
  • Financial Aid: Information about student financial aid, including federal, state, and institutional grants, loans, and work-study programs.
  • Institutional Finances: Revenue, expenditures, assets, and liabilities.
  • Retention Rates: Data on first-year student retention.
  • Program Data: Information on degree offerings, specialized programs (e.g., distance education), and accreditation.

Reporting Requirements:

  • Institutions must submit data annually to the U.S. Department of Education, typically covering data from the previous academic year.
  • IPEDS is critical for compliance with federal funding requirements and helps institutions maintain their eligibility for Title IV federal student aid programs.

Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) CBM Reports

Overview:
The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) is the state agency overseeing higher education in Texas. The CBM (CBM Reports) are a series of data reports that Texas higher education institutions must submit to THECB to comply with state mandates.

Purpose:

  • To monitor and improve the quality, access, and efficiency of higher education in Texas.
  • To collect standardized data to support state-level analysis and decision-making.

Key CBM Reports:

  • CBM 0C1 – Student Report: Contains student demographic and enrollment data.
  • CBM 0CS – Student Schedule Report: This report includes data about the institution’s courses, including course codes, sections, and enrollment.
  • CBM 004 – Degrees Awarded: Data on degrees awarded by the program, including the type of degree and the demographic characteristics of degree recipients.
  • CBM 008 – Faculty Report: This report includes faculty information associated with the classes reported.
  • CBM 009 – State Reporting of Degrees and Enrollment: Includes detailed data on program completions in specific fields of study.

Reporting Requirements:

  • Texas institutions must submit these reports periodically, often on a semester or annual basis.
  • These reports allow THECB to monitor institutional performance, evaluate compliance with funding conditions, and track Texas’ progress toward state educational goals.

Common Data Set (CDS)

Overview:
The Common Data Set (CDS) is a collaboration between the higher education community and publishers such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and others. It is a standardized set of data available to the public to help students, families, and researchers make informed decisions about higher education institutions.

Purpose:

  • To provide standardized information that allows for easier comparison across institutions.
  • To give transparency to data used in college rankings and educational assessments.

Content:

  • Enrollment and Admissions: This section includes information on first-year student demographics, test scores (e.g., SAT, ACT), and admissions policies (e.g., acceptance rates).
  • Student Retention and Graduation Rates: Data on first-year retention and 4- and 6-year graduation rates.
  • Costs and Financial Aid: Information on the cost of attendance, including tuition, fees, and room and board, as well as the percentage of students receiving financial aid and the types of assistance (e.g., grants, loans, scholarships).
  • Faculty and Class Size: Information on faculty demographics, student-to-faculty ratios, and class sizes.
  • Campus Life: Data on on-campus housing, student organizations, and student body demographics.
  • Outcomes: Career services, graduate school placement, and alumni satisfaction.

Reporting Requirements:

  • While the CDS is voluntary, many institutions participate, especially those subject to public scrutiny or ranked by national publications.
  • Institutions typically release this data annually, often at the start of each academic year.

NCAA Graduation Rates

Overview:
The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) requires schools to report graduation rates for student-athletes as part of its commitment to monitoring their academic success. This data is crucial for ensuring that student-athletes receive appropriate educational support.

Purpose:

  • To track the graduation success of student-athletes.
  • To ensure that student-athletes are balancing academic and athletic commitments effectively.
  • To comply with NCAA regulations and eligibility requirements.

Key Content:

  • Graduation Success Rate (GSR): This rate includes students who graduate within six years of initial enrollment. It considers transfers and excludes student-athletes who leave school in good academic standing (e.g., professional draft or other non-academic reasons).
  • Federal Graduation Rate (FGR): The standard graduation rate includes only students who graduate from the same institution where they enrolled.
  • Athlete Demographics: Graduation rates broken down by sport and demographics.

Reporting Requirements:

  • NCAA member institutions must report graduation rates for all student-athletes annually.
  • The NCAA uses the data to determine compliance with academic performance standards, such as the Academic Progress Rate (APR), and to assess student-athletes’ overall academic success.