About IPEDS

IPEDS is the core postsecondary education data collection program for NCES. Data are collected from all primary providers of postsecondary education in the country in areas including enrollments, program completions, graduation rates, faculty, staff, finances, institutional prices, and student financial aid. These data are made available on our website to students, researchers and others.

• Types of Institutions Covered
• Description of the Information Collected
• History of IPEDS

IPEDS defines postsecondary education as a formal program designed primarily for students beyond the ‘compulsory’ high school age.

This includes programs whose purpose is academic, vocational, or continuing professional education, and excludes avocational and adult basic education programs.

• IC - Institutional Characteristics
• C - Completions
• E12 - 12 Month Enrollment
• HR - Human Resources
• EF - Fall Enrollment
• F - Finance
• SFA - Student Financial Aid
• GRS - Graduation Rates

The IPEDS program was completely redesigned for the 2000-01 academic year, when the data collection was converted from a paper-based to a fully web-based system. The universe of postsecondary institutions was divided into two basic groups: those institutions with Program Participation Agreements (PPAs) and all others.

• Institutions with PPAs are required to complete IPEDS and the office of Federal Student Aid will take appropriate action against non-completers.
• Institutions that do not have PPAs may voluntarily complete the IPEDS online surveys, but there is no requirement to do so.