How it Works
Understanding the Common Data Set and how to use our dashboard
What is the Common Data Set?
The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative is a collaborative effort among higher education institutions, The College Board, Peterson's, and U.S. News & World Report. It establishes standardized data items and definitions to ensure consistent, comparable data about colleges and universities.
Each year, participating colleges complete the CDS survey, providing detailed information about their admissions process, enrolled students, academic offerings, student life, and financial aid. This data is used by:
- College ranking publications
- Guidebook publishers
- Students and families researching colleges
- High school counselors
- Educational researchers
Available Metrics
Admissions
Applications received, acceptance rates, yield rates, and early decision/action statistics
Test Scores
SAT and ACT score distributions, including 25th, 50th, and 75th percentile ranges
Costs
Tuition, fees, room and board, and total cost of attendance breakdowns
Financial Aid
Percentage receiving aid, average aid packages, need-based grants, and net price
Demographics
Enrollment totals, racial/ethnic breakdowns, and geographic distribution
How to Use the Dashboard
Select a School
Browse our collection of universities on the home page and click on any school to view its detailed dashboard.
Explore the Data
View interactive charts showing historical trends across admissions, test scores, costs, financial aid, and demographics.
Analyze Trends
Compare data across multiple years to understand how metrics have changed over time at each institution.
Make Informed Decisions
Use the data to inform your college search and application strategy with accurate, up-to-date information.
Data Sources & Accuracy
All data on College Statistics is extracted directly from official Common Data Set reports published by each institution. We do not modify, interpolate, or estimate any values. If data is unavailable for a particular year or metric, it will be clearly indicated.
Our current coverage includes:
- 26 universities (more coming soon!)
- 8-10 years of data per school: Academic years 2016-2017 through 2025-2026
- 50+ data points per school per year
We continuously work to add more schools and verify data accuracy. If you notice any discrepancies, please contact us.