The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative is a collaborative effort between publishers and the educational community , developed to improve the quality and accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student's transition into higher education, as well as to reduce the reporting burden on data providers. The CDS provides a common format for supplying information to publishers such as the College Board, Peterson's and U.S. News & World Report. The data reported for the CDS are based upon fall semester information and are contained in the bookmarks which are located on the left side of the PDF report. They are as follows:
CDS-A: General information
CDS-B: Enrollment and persistence
CDS-C: First-Time, first-year freshman admission
CDS-D: Transfer admission
CDS-E: Academic offerings and policies
CDS-F: Student life
CDS-G: Annual expenses
CDS-H: Financial aid
CDS-I: Instructional faculty and class size
CDS-J: Degrees conferred
Common Data Set Reports
