Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS)

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System(Opens in a new window) (IPEDS) is the postsecondary-level data collection program of the National Center for Education Statistics(Opens in a new window) (NCES), a part of the research operation of the US Department of Education. All postsecondary institutions in the US that participate in any federal financial assistance program (i.e., federal financial aid) are required to report IPEDS data. IPEDS is an important tool in the development and assessment of postsecondary education policy in the US.

How Does Berklee Collect Data?

IPEDS data are collected by NCES through a series of annual surveys completed in collaboration with the appropriate area of the institution and submitted by Institutional Research and Assessment. Data are collected throughout the year, according to the IPEDS Data Collection Schedule(Opens in a new window). The various sections of the surveys are outlined in the table below.

What Data Are Reported?

The IPEDS surveys collect data pertaining to student and institutional demographics, finances, financial aid, retention and graduation, and institutional resources. The data are verified by NCES and then made publicly available through the College Navigator(Opens in a new window). 

Institutional Characteristics

Data collected in the Institutional Characteristics survey provide general information about the institution.

Admissions

The admissions component collects basic information on the selection process including requirements for admission and admissions yields.

Fall Enrollment

Fall enrollment data are collected for all students enrolled including the number of students by level, race/ethnicity, and gender; residence; age; and student-to-faculty ratio.

12-Month Enrollment

12-month enrollment data are collected for undergraduate and graduate levels. The 12-month reporting period is July 1–June 30. Data includes unduplicated headcounts by level of student, race/ethnicity, and gender.

Cost

Student cost information is collected in fall and winter. Data is used for Cost of Attendance estimates and to calculate an Average Net Price for first-time, full-time undergraduate students. 

150 Percent Graduation Rates

Graduation rates data are collected for full-time, first-time degree and certificate-seeking undergraduate students. Six-year graduation rates are available by race/ethnicity and gender.

200 Percent Graduation Rates

Graduation rates data are collected for full-time, first-time, degree- and certificate-seeking undergraduate students. Numbers of students who completed within their program’s normal time to completion, 150 percent of normal time, and 200 percent of normal time are used to calculate the graduation rates.

Completions

Completions data are collected for award levels ranging from postsecondary certificates of less than one year to doctoral degrees. Data includes degree completions by level, length of program, race/ethnicity, and gender.

Outcome Measures

The Outcome Measures component collects outcomes data from degree-granting institutions on different student cohorts. The component collects a status update eight years after the cohort enters the institution if they received the degree or did not receive the degree.

Student Financial Aid

Financial aid and military benefits are collected for students. Data includes information to calculate the annual average net price of college attendance.

Finance

This component collects data related to the financial condition of the institution. Data collected includes: revenue by source; expenses by function; assets and liabilities; and scholarships and fellowships.

Human Resources

Data collected includes the number of employees by primary occupational activity, faculty status, gender, and race/ethnicity.

Academic Libraries

The Academic Libraries component collects basic information on library collections, expenditures, and services.

General Information

IPEDS Data Feedback Report (DFR)

An annual report that graphically summarizes selected institutional data and compares the data with peer institutions.