Common Data Set
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. See Data Definitions for more information.
