How does IPEDS collect data?

IPEDS Collect Data

How does IPEDS collect data? IPEDS stands for Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System. It is a system of interrelated surveys conducted annually by the U.S. Department of Education’s National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). IPEDS collects data from all primary providers of postsecondary education in the United States in areas such as enrollments, program completions, faculty, staff, and finances.

IPEDS collects data through a web-based data collection system. Each year, IPEDS has three collection periods: fall, winter, and spring. Each collection period has one or more surveys that institutions are required to complete. The surveys cover topics such as institutional characteristics, admissions, student financial aid, graduation rates, student outcomes, revenues and expenses, human resources, and academic libraries.

IPEDS provides survey materials for each collection period. Such as instructions, glossaries, forms, and templates. These materials help institutions prepare and submit their data accurately and consistently. IPEDS also provides data quality tools, such as edit checks and comparison reports, to help institutions verify and correct their data before submission.

How long has IPEDS been collecting data?

According to the web search results, IPEDS has been collecting data since 1993. The IPEDS program department of NCES was created in 1992 and began collecting data in 1993. IPEDS consists of twelve interrelated survey components that are collected over three collection periods (fall, winter, and spring) each year. IPEDS is the primary source of data on postsecondary education in the United States.

How can I access data collected by IPEDS?

There are different ways to access data collected by IPEDS, depending on your needs and preferences. Some of the options are:

1. IPEDS Data Collection System: This is the official website where institutions can submit their data to IPEDS. You can also access resources that will help with successful submission, such as instructions, glossaries, forms, and templates. You can also use data quality tools, such as edit checks and comparison reports, to verify and correct your data before submission.
2. IPEDS Use the Data: This is the website where you can access and analyze IPEDS data online. You can use various tools, such as Data Center, Trend Generator, College Navigator, and Data Feedback Report, to create tables, charts, reports, and comparisons of IPEDS data. You can also download data files and documentation for offline use.
3. IPEDS APIs: These are application program interfaces that allow you to access IPEDS data programmatically. You can use APIs to retrieve data from IPEDS surveys, variables, institutions, and years. You can also use APIs to download data files in various formats, such as CSV, JSON, or XML.
4. Coding Languages: These are programming languages that allow you to write code that will collect, clean, prepare, and analyze IPEDS data for you. Some of the popular coding languages for working with IPEDS data are Python, R, and Stata. You can find examples of code that will help you standardize IPEDS data access at your institution using these languages on GitHub or online articles.