The Common Data Set (CDS) began as a collaborative effort among guidebook publishers and the educational community to improve the accuracy and consistency of information among institutions of higher education. The goal of the CDS is to improve comparability of data reported by colleges and universities and ease the reporting burden for each institution by asking questions in a standard way on the numerous surveys.
Definitions and items conform to those most commonly used by institutions and agencies (including the U. S. Department of Education) that collect and report these data.
2011-2012 CDS
2010-2011 CDS
2009-2010 CDS
2008-2009 CDS
2007-2008 CDS
2006-2007 CDS
2005-2006 CDS