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What is the Common Data Set (CDS)?

The Common Data Set (CDS) is a standardized set of data points that colleges and universities publish to provide detailed information about their admissions process, student demographics, academic offerings, and financial aid. It is a collaborative initiative among higher education institutions and publishers like the College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News & World Report to ensure accurate and comparable college data.

How the Common Data Set is Used in College Admissions

• Helps students and parents compare colleges based on objective data.
• Provides insights into a college’s selectivity, admission rates, and standardized test scores of admitted students.
• Offers detailed statistics on financial aid, enrollment demographics, and class sizes to assess affordability and fit.
• Used by education analysts and ranking organizations to evaluate institutional performance.
• Assists counselors and advisors in guiding students toward best-fit institutions.

Key Admission Data Points from the Common Data Set

1. General Institutional Information
   • School type (public, private, etc.)
   • Enrollment numbers (total and undergraduate)
   • Location and campus setting
2. Freshman Admission Data
   • Acceptance Rate – Number of applicants vs. admitted students
   • Early Decision (ED) & Early Action (EA) Statistics – How many apply and are accepted through these routes
   • GPA & Class Rank Data – Percentage of admitted students in the top 10%, 25%, or 50% of their high school class
3. Standardized Test Scores
   • SAT/ACT test scores of admitted students (25th and 75th percentile ranges)
   • Whether tests are required, optional, or not considered in admissions
4. Application & Admission Process
   • Required and recommended high school coursework
   • Factors considered in admission (GPA, extracurriculars, recommendations, essays, etc.)
   • Waitlist policies and number of students admitted off the waitlist
5. Transfer Admission Data
   • Transfer acceptance rate
   • Minimum GPA required for transfer students
   • Credits accepted from other institutions
6. Financial Aid & Cost Information
   • Tuition and fees, room & board costs
   • Percentage of students receiving grants or scholarships
   • Average financial aid package and student loan debt statistics
7. Enrollment & Demographics
   • Student body diversity (race, gender, international students)
   • Percentage of students from different geographic regions
   • Number of in-state vs. out-of-state students (for public universities)
8. Academic Offerings & Student Life
   • Faculty-to-student ratio
   • Popular majors and graduation rates
   • Availability of study abroad, internships, and undergraduate research
9. Retention & Graduation Rates
   • First-year student retention rate
   • 4-year, 5-year, and 6-year graduation rates

How to Access the Common Data Set

• Most colleges post their CDS on their institutional research website.
• Search “College Name Common Data Set” on Google.
• Use databases like BigFuture (College Board), College Navigator (NCES), and U.S. News & World Report to analyze data trends.