Where in the World Are the Peer Analysis System and Dataset Cutting Tool?

Announcing the Release of the IPEDS Data Center

Visit the IPEDS Data Center

What Is the IPEDS Data Center?
The IPEDS Data Center is a "one-stop-shop" for retrieving IPEDS data. It replaces the Peer Analysis System (PAS) and Dataset Cutting Tool (DCT), but maintains all of the functionality of those tools. It also has new features to improve users' experiences and serves as an entry point to the Executive Peer Tool (ExPT) and IPEDS Data Analysis System (DAS).

What's Improved?

• You can retrieve data on a single institution. No need to define a comparison group anymore just to retrieve data for a single institution. Try the new "Look up an institution" function to see a snapshot of data for an institution that is easy to view and print.
• You don't need a focus institution. You are not forced to select a focus institution, but you can if you want to do peer comparisons.
• You can use your Data Feedback Report comparison group. When doing peer comparisons, you can use the comparison group you submitted for your Data Feedback Report by selecting your institution as the "comparison institution" and using the "Saved Group" option.
• It's easier to navigate. You follow a 3-step process: (1) Select institutions; (2) Select variables; and, (3) Output results. Use the tabs at the top of the page to move from step to step. Detailed instructions included on pages will also help guide you.
• It's easier to select institutions. Try the new "by Group" option to select institutions by common institutional characteristics such as sector, state, Carnegie classification, and institutional size.
• You can switch between functions without losing data. If you select institutions and/or variables in one function, they are available in the other functions as well (as long as you don't click "Start Over"!).
• You can save your entire session. Use the "Save Session" option and save the session number to come back into the Data Center exactly where you left off.
• You can easily move across different data years when selecting variables for custom data files. Use "Download custom data files" to create a custom dataset and easily navigate across data years to select variables.

But I liked the old tools!
We know that it may take time and practice to get used to the changes, but in the end, we hope you will find the new Data Center easier to use. Don't forget that the IPEDS Data Tools Help Desk is available to assist you. Call 1-866-558-0658 or send an email to ipedstools@rti.org. Also, you will find a full user manual in the Data Center that you can download and read for more help. Finally, AIR will soon be offering training to help you learn the new tool on its IPEDS Training website at http://www.airweb.org/?page=819.

How Do I...?
Below is a crosswalk to help you transition to the new tool. For more detailed help and a graphical illustration of the changes, go to the "Assistance for Transitioning to the New IPEDS Data Center" document available in the IPEDS Resource Center on the IPEDS website: http://nces.ed.gov/ipeds/pdf/Transitioning_to_DataCenter.pdf.