Institutional Characteristics (IC)
OMB No. 1850-0582 v.32
Submitted by:
National Center for Education Statistics (NCES)
Institute of Education Sciences
U.S. Department of Education
February 2023
revised September 2023
Content
Institutional Characteristics Package 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections 1
Institutional Characteristics 2
Institution Identification Screens 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections 3
Institution Identification Instructions 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections 4
IC Header Screens 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections 5
IC Header Instructions 2023-24 through 2027-28 Data Collections 10
IC Header FAQs 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections 14
Institutional Characteristics Instructions 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections 31
Institutional Characteristics FAQ 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections 36
Institutional Characteristics |
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General |
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CoA FAQ 1 |
Transportation should be included in Other Expenses, as in previous years. |
Directions
Please review all information of the General Info and Web Addresses tabs and complete or make changes as needed.
Required fields are indicated with asterisks (*).
IMPORTANT: Make sure to view the page instructions found in the upper right hand corner of this page for important information about your institution's web page.
General Info
Institution Name |
Preloaded value |
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Official Name Change |
Reported value |
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Physical Location |
Reported value |
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City* |
Reported value |
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State* |
Dropdown menu |
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Zip Code* |
Reported value |
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Mailing Address (if different than physical) |
Reported value |
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City |
Reported value |
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State |
Reported value |
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Zip Code |
Reported value |
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General Information Telephone* |
Reported value |
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Employer ID Number (EIN) |
Unless you are an unincorporated sole proprietor who does not pay wages to employees, you must provide your institution's 9-digit Employer Identification Number (EIN)
If your institution has an EIN, please enter it in the field provided. Please double check preloaded numbers to make sure they are correct. |
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Radio button option |
Yes |
Reported value (if yes is selected) |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Unique Entity Identifiers |
If your institution has an assigned Unique Entity Identifiers (UEI). |
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Radio button option |
Yes. Please enter your institution’s UEI number(s). |
Reported values (if yes is selected) |
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Radio button option |
No. Please explain. |
Reported value (if no is selected) |
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Chief Administrator Name* |
Reported value |
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Chief Administrator Title* |
Reported value |
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Chief Administrator E-Mail Address* |
Reported value |
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Data Feedback Report E-Mail Address |
Two weeks after the keyholders are emailed an electronic copy of the Data Feedback Back Report, Institutional CEOs will be emailed the same copy. If there is an additional email address to which an electronic copy of the DFR should be sent, please enter it here. (Note: Please do not enter the Keyholder's email address.) |
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Reported value (if applicable) |
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Web Addresses |
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Admissions Office Web Address |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value |
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Financial Aid Office Web Address |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value |
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Online Application Web Address |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value |
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Net Price Calculator Web Address* |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value |
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Does your institution post tuition policies specifically related to Veterans and Military Servicemembers on a website?* |
Radio button option |
Yes. Please provide the URL |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value (if yes is selected) |
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Radio button option |
No. Please provide an explanation. |
Reported value (if no is selected) |
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Does your institution post the Student Right-to-Know student athlete graduation rates on a website?* |
Radio button option |
Yes. Please provide the URL |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value (if yes is selected) |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Disability Services Web Address* |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value |
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Institutional Identification
Required fields. A single asterisk (*) beside a field on a screen indicates a required entry.
General Information
Institution name and location. Provide the full name of the institution required to report to IPEDS. In addition, provide the physical location of the institution, including either the 5- or 9-digit ZIP Code, as it would appear in an institutional listing. DO NOT provide a Post Office box number in this field. If your institution's name has officially changed, enter the new name in the box provided.
Mailing address. If the mailing address differs from the physical location of the institution, provide the address to which correspondence should be mailed. This may be a P.O. Box or the address of a central, system, or corporate office, or a branch campus located elsewhere.
Telephone number. Enter the telephone number for general information inquiries.
Employer ID Number. Enter the Employer Identification Number (EIN), the 9-digit number assigned to the institution by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) for tax purposes.
Unique Entity Identifier number(s). Enter any Unique Entity Identifier numbers for your institution. These numbers are 9 digits in length. If your institution has more than one number, please enter as a comma separated list of numbers as indicated on the screen. If your institution does not have any UEI numbers, please provide an explanation. For more information about UEI numbers and the transition from DUNS numbers, please visit: https://www.gsa.gov/about-us/organization/federal-acquisition-service/office-of-systems-management/integrated-award-environment-iae/iae-systems-information-kit/unique-entity-identifier-update.
Name and title of institution's chief administrator. Provide the name, title, and email address of the chief administrator of the entity covered by this report (e.g., President, Chancellor, Provost, etc.).
Data Feedback Report e-mail address. If you would like the DFR to be sent to someone other than the Keyholder and CEO, please enter the e-mail address in the box.
Web Addresses
Web address(es). If your institution maintains a webpage, please enter or update the address. In addition, please enter or update webpage addresses for admissions, financial aid, and online applications when applicable. Please begin the URL with http:// or https://, and be sure to indicate where the address is case sensitive. Web addresses will be made available on College Navigator.
Required web addresses. Web addresses for the institution's net price calculator, disability services, and tuition policies specifically related to Veterans and Military Servicemembers must be entered. If the institution does not have a webpage for tuition policies specifically related to Veterans and Military Servicemembers, an explanation must be entered.
IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING INSTITUTIONAL WEBPAGES. The webpage reported to IPEDS must contain either the following information or links to the information from the reported page:
Student activities offered by the institution
Services offered by the institution for individuals with disabilities
Career and placement services offered by the institution to students during and after enrollment
Policies of the institution related to transfer of credit from other institutions
Overview
IC Header Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics Header survey component (IC Header). This survey was introduced to collect data that are key to reporting throughout the IPEDS data collection, and must be completed and locked before any other survey can be started.
The IC Header should be completed based on the current year. Some IC Header questions may require nothing more than a confirmation, if nothing has changed. Please make changes as necessary, and complete items that do need a response (enrollment questions).
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to provide NCES with accurate data about the institution. Please never hesitate to call the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568 and ask for help to make sure that you are reporting correctly!
Because of the importance of the IC Header data in determining the screens you will receive in other surveys, be sure to report correctly, and to contact the IPEDS Help Desk if you have ANY questions about what you need to report.
The IC Header data affect other survey components in the following ways:
The Educational Offerings question verifies your institution's inclusion in IPEDS.
The Control and Levels page is key to all survey components, especially to Finance (F) and Graduation Rates (GR). Additionally, this is important information for students, impacts many federal reports, and is used in placing institutions in appropriate net price groupings.
Calendar system selection impacts student charges data reported in Institutional Characteristics (IC), Fall Enrollment (EF) data, GR data, and Student Financial Aid (SFA) data related to the net price calculation.
Enrollment levels impact student charges in IC and enrollment categories in the EF survey component.
The Open Admission question determines whether the Admissions component will be required in the Winter collection.
The Academic Libraries expenses question determines whether the Academic Libraries component will be required in the Spring collection. This question is asked of degree-granting institutions only.
The operations question for new institutions determines reporting of 12-month Enrollment (E12).
The dual enrollment question will determine whether institutions report dual enrolled students in 12-month Enrollment (E12).
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reflect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prior-year reporting.
Changes in reporting
The following changes were made for the 2023-24 collection:
Added new screening question to determine the 12-month Enrollment (E12) reporting for high school students enrolled in college courses for credit
Rephrased “remedial education” terminology in survey materials to “developmental education,” including Glossary terms
Removed parenthetical references to “4 weeks” for text to read “1 month”
Added FAQ regarding including incarcerated students in reporting
Updated FAQ regarding experimental site participants
Resources:
To download survey materials package for this component: Survey Materials
If you have questions about completing the survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.
Part A – Educational Offerings
1. Which of the following types of for-credit instruction/programs are offered by your institution? [Check one or more] If your institution does not offer for-credit occupational, academic or continuing professional programs, you are not expected to complete this or any other IPEDS survey component. |
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Checkbox option |
Occupational, may lead to a certificate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential |
Checkbox option |
Academic, may lead to a certificate, degree, or diploma |
Checkbox option |
Continuing professional (postbaccalaureate only) |
Checkbox option |
Recreational or avocational (leisure) programs |
Checkbox option |
Adult basic or developmental instruction or high school equivalency |
Checkbox option |
Secondary (high school) |
Checkbox option |
Developmental |
Part B – Mission Statement
1. Provide the institution's mission statement or a web address (URL) where the mission statement can be found. Typed statements are limited to 2,000 characters or less. The mission statement will be available to the public on College Navigator. |
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Radio button option |
Mission Statement URL: |
Dropdown menu (http:// or https://) |
Reported value |
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Radio button option |
Mission Statement: |
Reported value |
Part B – Organization – Control and Levels
2. What is your institutional control or affiliation? Be sure to select the correct control for your institution. Errors on this question have an impact throughout the IPEDS surveys, in federal reporting, in net price groupings, and on your institutions' appearance to students. If you reported incorrectly in a previous year, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568 to correct the error. |
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Radio button option |
Public – Select primary and/or secondary controls below |
Primary control Dropdown menu |
Secondary control (if applicable) Dropdown menu |
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Radio button option |
Private for-profit |
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Radio button option |
Private not-for-profit independent (no religious affiliation) |
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Radio button option |
Private not-for-profit religious affiliation – select affiliation below |
Dropdown menu |
3. What award levels are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply] Award Levels reported should be completed based on the current year. When reporting award levels for subbaccalaureate certificates (levels 1a, 1b, 2, and 4), determine program length by the number of credit or clock hours.
The "Other" award level should not be used unless your program truly does not fit any of the other award levels. We expect very few institutions to fit the "Other" category.
Even though Teacher Preparation certificate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are considered subbaccalaureate undergraduate programs. Check the applicable award level 1a, 1b, 2, or 4, depending on the length of the Teacher Preparation program.
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Award Level |
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BELOW THE BACCALAUREATE: |
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1a |
Checkbox option |
Postsecondary
award, certificate, or diploma of |
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1b |
Checkbox option |
Postsecondary
award, certificate, or diploma of |
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2 |
Checkbox option |
Postsecondary
award, certificate, or diploma of |
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3 |
Checkbox option |
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4 |
Checkbox option |
Postsecondary
award, certificate, or diploma of |
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BACCALAUREATE AND ABOVE: |
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5 |
Checkbox option |
Bachelor's degree or equivalent |
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6 |
Checkbox option |
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7 |
Checkbox option |
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8 |
Checkbox option |
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17 |
Checkbox option |
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18 |
Checkbox option |
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19 |
Checkbox option |
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12 |
Checkbox option |
Other (please specify in context box below) |
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Checkbox option |
Yes, I confirm that I reviewed the award levels offered by my institution above. |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part B - Organization - Calendar System
Your response to the next question determines how your institution reports Institutional Characteristics student charges data in the fall, Student Financial Aid data in the winter, and Graduation Rates data in the winter. It also impacts the net price calculation in the Student Financial Aid survey.
If the calendar system differs from prior year or requires a change, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
4. What is the predominant calendar system at the institution? [Choose one] |
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Academic Year Reporting Method (Standard academic terms) Selecting one of the following calendar types determines that your institution will provide Student Financial Aid and Graduation Rates data based on a FALL COHORT, and student charges data for a full ACADEMIC YEAR. |
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Radio button option |
Semester |
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Radio button option |
Quarter |
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Radio button option |
Trimester |
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Radio button option |
4-1-4 or similar plan |
Program Reporting Method (Other calendar system) Selecting one of the following calendar types determines that your institution will provide Student Financial Aid and Graduation Rates data based on a FULL-YEAR COHORT, and student charges data by PROGRAM. |
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Radio button option |
Differs by program |
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Radio button option |
Continuous basis (every 2 weeks, monthly, or other period) |
Hybrid/Mixed Reporting Method (Standard academic terms, other academic calendar) Selecting the hybrid calendar type determines that your institution will provide Graduation Rates data based on a FULL-YEAR COHORT, student charges data for a full ACADEMIC YEAR, and Student Financial Aid data for students enrolling between August 1 and October 31. |
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Radio button option |
Hybrid (Other academic calendar) |
Part B - Organization - Student Enrollment
5. Does your institution enroll any of the following types of students?
Include all levels offered by your institution, even if there are no students currently enrolled at that level.
Responses to these questions determine which screens will be generated for reporting academic year tuition charges, and for reporting Fall Enrollment during the Spring collection. Additionally, checking Yes for full-time, first-time, degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students determines that your institution must report cost of attendance data (on the IC component) and Student Financial Aid data for these students.
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Full-time |
Part-time |
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Undergraduate (academic or occupational programs) |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes |
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First‑time, degree/certificate‑seeking undergraduate |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes |
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Graduate (not including doctor's‑professional practice) |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes |
7. For [year loaded based on institution level], did your institution have any full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students enrolled in programs at the baccalaureate level or below? If you answer Yes to this question, you will be required to provide Graduation Rates data for the [year loaded based on institution level] cohort in the winter collection. If you answer No to this question, indicate the reason you are not required to report Graduation Rates for the cohort year requested. If you reported any full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduates on the [year loaded based on institution level] Enrollment survey, the data will be preloaded below. |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Checkbox option |
This institution did not enroll full-time, first-time (undergraduate) students. |
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Checkbox option |
This institution did not offer programs at or below the baccalaureate level. |
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Checkbox option |
This institution was not in operation in [year loaded based on institution level]. |
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Radio button option |
Yes |
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Full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students from the [year loaded based on institution level] Enrollment survey (GR Cohort) |
Part B - Multi-institution or Multi-campus Organization
8. Multi-institution or multi-campus organization Is the institution part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution? Do NOT indicate a religious affiliation here; that information is collected separately. If you need assistance, contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568. You will not be able to lock your submission if this question is blank. |
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Radio button option |
No, this institution IS NOT a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution. |
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Radio button option |
Yes, this institution IS a part of a multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution. |
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If yes, select the name of the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution after clicking on 'Select System' below. |
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Select System |
Dropdown menu |
Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Open Admission
1. Does your institution have an open admission policy for all or most entering first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate-level students? If the only requirement for admission is a high school diploma or GED/other equivalent, your institution is still considered open admission. Institutions that require only an Ability to Benefit or similar test beyond the diploma/equivalent, and only reject a very small number of students based on the test, are also considered open admission. |
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If your institution does not have an open admission policy, you will be required to report Admissions component on your admissions procedures and admissions yield. |
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Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Library Access and Expenses [Applicable to degree-granting institutions only]
2. Does your institution have access to a library collection?
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Were your annual total library expenses for Fiscal Year 2022 greater than zero? |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes (receives Academic Libraries component) |
Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions - Levels of Enrollment Offered
3. Was your institution in operation during the academic year 2022-23?
Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions – Noncredit Education Offered
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4. Which of the following categories of noncredit education are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply] Note: Categories below may not be mutually exclusive. |
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Checkbox option |
Workforce Education |
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Checkbox option |
Contract Training/Customized Training |
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Checkbox option |
Developmental Education |
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Checkbox option |
Recreational/Avocational/Leisure/Personal Enrichment |
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Checkbox option |
Adult Basic Education |
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Checkbox option |
Adult High School Diploma or Equivalent |
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Checkbox option |
English as a Second Language |
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Checkbox option |
Continuing Professional Education |
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Checkbox option |
None of the above |
Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions – Dual Enrollment
5. Does your institution enroll high school students in college courses for credit? If you answer Yes to this question, you will be able to report the unduplicated count of high school students enrolled in college courses for credit on the 12-month Enrollment (E12) survey component during the Fall collection.
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Note: Within a dual enrollment program is defined as within an organized system with special guidelines that allows high school students to take college-level courses. The guidelines might have to do with entrance or eligibility requirements, funding, limits on course taking, etc. Outside a dual enrollment program is defined as high school students who simply enroll in credit courses through your institution, and are treated as regularly enrolled college students. |
IC Header Instructions 2023-24 through 2027-28 Data Collections
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Header Survey
Changes in Reporting
General instructions
Reporting Period for Institutional Characteristics Header
Context boxes
Coverage
Where to Get Help
Where the Data Will Appear
Reporting Directions
Part A - Educational Offerings
Part B - Organization
Mission Statement
Control and Award Levels
Calendar System
Enrollment Levels and GR cohort question
Multi-institution or Multi-campus Organization
Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open Admission
Library Expenses (degree-granting institutions only)
Level of Enrollment
Noncredit Education
Dual Enrollment
Part D - Branch Campus
Purpose of Survey
The primary purpose of the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics Header (IC-H) survey is to collect basic institutional data including control or affiliation, calendar system, and award levels. These data are key to accurate reporting as they are used to determine the reporting for other IPEDS surveys. Any errors in the IC-H survey can lead to further errors in the data reporting process, so please be very careful in reporting these data correctly and contact the IPEDS Help Desk (877.225.2568) if you have any questions.
Changes in reporting
The following changes were made for the 2023-24 collection:
Added new screening question to determine the 12-month Enrollment (E12) reporting for high school students enrolled in college courses for credit
Rephrased “remedial education” terminology in survey materials to “developmental education,” including Glossary terms
Removed parenthetical references to “4 weeks” for text to read “1 month”
Added FAQ regarding including incarcerated students in reporting
Updated FAQ regarding experimental site participants
General instructions
Reporting period covered
Institutional Characteristics Header (IC-H) covers data for the current year with two exceptions.
Cohort data in B7 refer to a past cohort and are used to set the Graduation Rates component (GR).
For new institutions, the question about prior year operation refers to the prior academic year and is used to determine the applicability of the 12-Month Enrollment (E12) component.
Context Boxes
Context boxes are provided to allow institutions to provide more information regarding survey component items. Note that some context boxes are posted on the College Navigator Website, which is the college search tool offered by NCES. NCES will review entries in these context boxes for applicability and appropriateness before posting them on the College Navigator Website, however, institutions should check grammar and spelling of their entries. Inappropriate or repetitive contexts will be deleted.
Coverage
Carefully read each question in the Institutional Characteristics Header (IC-H) survey to ensure that you are reporting data for the appropriate students. The student groups for which data are collected vary throughout the IC-H survey (e.g., undergraduate and graduate). In general, for each group, ensure that the guidelines below are met.
Who to Include (for all questions except for Part B, Question 5 – Noncredit education)
Students enrolled in courses creditable toward a diploma, certificate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential, including those enrolled in off-campus centers
High school students taking college courses for credit
Full-time students taking developmental courses IF the student is considered degree-seeking for the purpose of student financial aid determination
Students from overseas enrolled in U.S. courses for credit (e.g., online students, for all other than noncredit education question)
Students who are incarcerated (e.g., postsecondary prison education program)Graduate students enrolled for thesis credits, even when zero credits are awarded, as these students are still enrolled and seeking their degree
Who NOT to Include (for all questions except for Part B, Question 5 – Noncredit education)
Students enrolled exclusively in courses not creditable toward a recognized postsecondary credential (for all other than noncredit education question)
Students enrolled only in ESL programs (programs comprised exclusively of ESL courses)
Students enrolled exclusively in Continuing Education Units (CEUs; for all other than noncredit education question))
Students exclusively auditing classes
Residents or interns in Doctor's - professional practice (previously first-professional), since they have already received their Doctor's degree
Students studying abroad (e.g., at a foreign university) if their enrollment at the "home" institution is only an administrative record and the fee is nominal
Students enrolled in any branch campus located in a foreign country
Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Tutorials
You can consult the IPEDS Website's Trainings & Outreach page which contains several tutorials on IPEDS data collection, a self-paced overview of IPEDS tools, and other valuable resources.
IPEDS Resource Page
The IPEDS Website's Reporting Tools page contains frequently asked questions, a link to data tip sheets, tutorials, taxonomies, information centers (e.g., academic libraries, average net price, human resources, race/ethnicity, etc.), and other valuable information.
Where the Data Will Appear
Data collected through IPEDS will be accessible at the institution and aggregate levels.
At the institution-level, data will appear in the:
College Navigator Website
IPEDS data center
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
College Affordability and Transparency Center Website
At the aggregate-level, data will appear in:
IPEDS First Looks
IPEDS Table Library
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
The Digest of Education Statistics
The Condition of Education
Reporting Directions
Part A - Educational Offerings
Responses on this screen verify inclusion of the institution on the NCES/IPEDS list of institutions and agencies that provide all types of postsecondary education. Postsecondary education is defined as the provision of a formal instructional program whose curriculum is designed primarily for students beyond the compulsory age for high school. This includes programs whose purpose is occupational, academic, or continuing professional education but excludes avocational and adult basic education programs.
If you select only avocational and/or adult basic education programs or ‘None of the above’, you will be contacted by IPEDS to confirm your exemption from IPEDS reporting.
Part B – Organization
Mission Statement
Provide your institution's mission statement or a web address (please select http:// or https://) where the statement can be found. Typed statements are limited to 2,000 characters. The mission statement will be available to the public on College Navigator.
Institutional Control or Affiliation
Indicate the appropriate control or affiliation under which the institution operates. If the institution has a religious affiliation, select the denomination from the list provided in the drop-down box. Public institutions must designate a primary control; identification of a secondary control is optional. If control of the institution differs from the prior year or requires a change, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
Correct reporting of control or affiliation is KEY to IPEDS reporting. Errors in reporting control or affiliation cause you to receive incorrect survey forms, misrepresent your institution to the public on College Navigator and other search tools that use IPEDS data, and place your institution in incorrect groups in IPEDS publications and on the College Affordability and Transparency Lists. If you do not know the control or affiliation of your institution, please call the Help Desk.
Award Levels
Check applicable award levels for all credit programs offered at the institution. Award levels are identified based on duration and/or awards.
Report using the number of CLOCK or CREDIT hours, as is appropriate to your calendar system (e.g., semester or quarter).
Award levels 1a and b, 2, and 4 differ by length of programs and refer to completions below the baccalaureate degree. Use the IPEDS designations, not institutionally defined designations, to describe these levels.
Award levels 3, 5, 7, 17, 18, and 19 indicate degree levels for which the institution is authorized to make recognized postsecondary credentials. Award levels 6 and 8 indicate certificate levels.
If you cannot classify an award within the award levels indicated on the screen, check award level 12 ("Other") and specify or describe the award in the context box. Because there are few programs that fall under "Other" please contact the Help Desk if you are considering selecting Level 12.
NOTE: Even though Teacher Preparation certificate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are considered subbaccalaureate undergraduate programs. Check the applicable award level 1a or b, 2, or 4, depending on the length of the Teacher Preparation program.
Calendar System
Indicate the predominant calendar system under which the institution operates. If programs are offered on more than one calendar, select the system under which most programs are offered. If there is no predominant calendar system at your institution, select the option that best characterizes your institution.
If your calendar system differs from the prior year or requires a change, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
Note: Calendar system selection determines reporting in many other IPEDS components. Be sure that the calendar system you select accurately represents your institution. Contact the IPEDS Help Desk if you are not sure which calendar system to select.
Standard academic terms (semesters, quarters, trimesters, 4-1-4)
Use a Fall cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report tuition and fees and cost information based on a full academic year.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled as of October 15, or the official Fall reporting date used by the institution.
For Student Financial Aid (aid awarded), report students enrolled in the prior 12-month period of July 1 – June 30, and the aid for an award year.
For Student Financial Aid (net price), report students enrolled in the prior 12-month period of July 1 – June 30, and the aid for an academic year.
Program-by-program or continuous enrollment basis
Use a full-year cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report tuition and fees and books and supplies information by program for the entire length of the program. For living expenses, report costs for 1 month. Note: Living expenses are only applicable to institutions with full-time, first-time students and are reported with the largest program.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled in the institution at any time between August 1 and October 31.
For Student Financial Aid (aid awarded), report students enrolled in the prior 12-month period of July 1 – June 30, and the aid for an award year.
For Student Financial Aid (net price), report students enrolled in the prior 12-month period of July 1 – June 30, and the aid for an academic year.
Hybrid academic calendar (If you are considering selecting the "Other academic calendar" option, please contact the Help Desk at 877.225.2568 so they can confirm the appropriateness of this calendar system for your institution.)
Use a full-year cohort for Graduation Rates.
Report Fall Enrollment using students enrolled in the institution at any time between August 1 and October 31.
Report tuition and fees and cost information based on a full academic year.
For Student Financial Aid (aid awarded), report students enrolled in the prior 12-month period of July 1 – June 30, and the aid for an award year.
For Student Financial Aid (net price), report students enrolled in the prior 12-month period of July 1 – June 30, and the aid for an academic year.
Student Enrollment
Enrollment of full- and part-time students
Indicate whether your institution enrolls any full-time or part-time students at the levels listed. Include all levels offered, even if there are not any students currently enrolled at that level.
Responses to those categories will determine the screens generated for reporting academic year tuition charges in the Institutional Characteristics survey during the Fall collection and enrollment data in the Fall Enrollment survey during the Spring collection.
Make sure to check "Yes" for full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students if applicable, as this determines that your institution will report cost information on Institutional Characteristics screens in Part D and Student Financial Aid information during the Winter collection.
Doctor's - professional practice [Applicable to 4-year institutions only]
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed Doctor's - professional practice programs. If your institution offers Doctor's -professional practice programs but does not offer any of the listed programs, indicate no.
GR cohort question
4-year institutions. Indicate if your institution had any full-time, first-time undergraduate students enrolled in programs at the baccalaureate level or below in the academic year indicated on the screen. If you indicate Yes, you must report Graduation Rates data in the Winter collection.
Less-than-4-year institutions. Indicate if your institution had any full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students enrolled in the academic year indicated on the screen. If you check Yes, you must report Graduation Rates data in the Winter collection.
Multi-institution or Multi-campus Organization
If applicable, select from the provided list the multi-institution or multi-campus organization that owns, governs, or controls the institution. If you do not see your multi-institution or multi-organization listed, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk.
A multi-institution or multi-campus organization includes organizations with two or more institutions or campuses.
Non-postsecondary education agencies that govern or control institutions include, but are not limited to, public school districts, art organizations, hospitals and other medical/health organizations.
Do not include:
coordinating systems single institution owner
single institution corporate name
single institution governing board consortia
associations
religious affiliation (requested in control question)
Part C - Other Survey Screening Questions
Open admission policy
Check Yes if your institution has an open admission policy.
If your institution requires only a high school diploma/equivalent and/or Ability to Benefit (or similar) test, and few students are not admitted based on the test, your institution is still considered open admission. For example, if you have students take the ATB test and allow 98% of those students to enroll, you are likely open admission. The 2% that were not admitted had unusual circumstances that kept them from being admitted.
Note: IPEDS does not have a set percentage to determine open admission. Please review your institution's admission policy or talk to someone in the admissions office if you are not sure whether your institution is open admission, or contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877.225.2568.
Library Access and Expenses (only applicable to degree-granting institutions) [Applicable to degree-granting institutions only]
Indicate whether the institution has access to a library collection and/or the annual total library expenses at your institution were greater than zero for Fiscal Year 2022. Fiscal Year 2022 is defined as the most recent 12-month period that corresponds to your institution's fiscal year that ends before October 1, 2022.
A library collection is defined as “comprising documents held locally and remote resources for which permanent or temporary access rights have been acquired. Access rights may be acquired by the library itself, by a consortium and/or through external funding. Acquisition is to be understood as securing access rights and including it in the library catalog, other library databases or discovery systems.”
Expenses include funds expended by the library (regardless of when received) from its regular budget and from all other known sources; e.g., research grants, special projects, gifts and endowments, and fees for services. Those libraries in consortia or those that share all their resources with another institution, please report whether the total annual library expenses at YOUR institution were greater than zero in Fiscal Year 2023.
If the institution does not have access to a library collection and the institution's library expenses are equal to 0, you will not be asked to complete the Academic Libraries (AL) component in the Spring.
Levels of Enrollment (new institutions only)
New institutions should indicate whether their institution was in operation during the prior academic year. If the response is "Yes", they should also indicate the levels that were offered.
Noncredit education
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the below types of noncredit education. Noncredit education is defined as “Courses or activities carrying no academic credit applicable toward a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential at the institution or within the postsecondary educational system.” Check all that apply; categories may not be mutually exclusive. If your institution does not offer noncredit education, please select ‘None of the above’.
Dual Enrollment
Indicate whether your institution enrolls high school students in college courses for credit. If ‘Yes’, indicate whether those students are enrolled:
Within a dual enrollment program OR
Outside a dual enrollment program
Note: Within a dual enrollment program is defined as within an organized system with special guidelines that allows high school students to take college-level
courses. The guidelines might have to do with entrance or eligibility requirements, funding, limits on course taking, etc.
Outside a dual enrollment program is defined as high school students who simply enroll in credit courses through your institution and are treated as regularly enrolled college students.
Your response to this question will determine the screen generated for reporting 12-month unduplicated count of high school students enrolled in college courses for credit in the 12-month Enrollment (E12) survey component during the Fall collection.
Part D - Branch campus
For branch campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.
IC Header FAQs 2023-24 through 2024-25 Data Collections
General |
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1 |
If my institution offers an award level but currently does not have any students enrolled at that level how should I report?
You should indicate all levels of awards that your institution is authorized to grant. |
2 |
Can I change my Institutional Characteristics Header data during the winter or spring surveys if I made a mistake in the fall?
It is important to report IC Header data correctly the first time, as changes to this component affect all of the other surveys. If you made an error that impacts your ability to respond appropriately to other components, call the Help Desk at 877-225-2568, and they will change the necessary data. For example, if you indicated that you do not enroll any full-time, first-time students (thus no GRS or SFA surveys are generated), you may correct your answer so that you can complete this survey. |
3 |
In what award level category should Teachers Preparation certificates be reported?
Even though Teacher Preparation certificate programs may require a bachelor's degree for admission, they are considered subbaccalaureate undergraduate programs, and students in these programs are undergraduate students. |
4 |
My institution has a system office. Does the system office need to complete an Institutional Characteristics - Header survey?
Any system or central office that employs 15 or more full-time staff OR has its own budget (and therefore must report IPEDS Finance data) must also complete the Institutional Characteristics - Header survey. The administrative office must indicate all types and levels of instruction and programs offered at all of the institutions in its system. This will ensure that each institution in the system is represented. |
5 |
Should my institution, which is participating as a U.S. Department of Education experimental site, include experimental site participants in IPEDS reporting?
No, exclude experimental site participants from reporting. |
6 |
Should incarcerated students be included in reporting?
Include all students enrolled for credit even if enrolled at off-campus locations (e.g., federal or state penal institution). This includes, but is not limited to, students enrolled for credit in a recognized prison education program (PEP). |
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) survey component. This component collects important information about your institution's student services and student charges. Answer questions about services and costs for the 2023-24 academic year unless instructed to report for a different period.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clarifications to make sure that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reflect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prior-year reporting.
Changes in reporting:
The following changes were made for the 2023-24 collection:
Removed temporary guidance in response to Coronavirus Pandemic
Rephrased “room and board” terminology in survey materials to “food and housing,” including Glossary terms
Rephrased “remedial education” terminology in survey materials to “developmental education,” including Glossary terms
Removed parenthetical references to “4 weeks” and/or “4.33 weeks” for text to read “1 month”
Added FAQ regarding including incarcerated students in reporting
Updated FAQ regarding experimental site participants
Added FAQ #4 and #5 regarding the expenses included in cost of attendance section
Removed the dual enrollment option for Part B, Question 1
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or fix, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL definitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR’, or 'PROGRAM' as defined by IPEDS.
Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials
If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.
Part A - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families? |
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Checkbox option |
Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program) |
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Checkbox option |
Credit for military training |
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Checkbox option |
Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families |
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Checkbox option |
Recognized student veteran organization |
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Checkbox option |
Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding |
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Checkbox option |
None of the above |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part B - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply] |
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Checkbox option |
Credit for life experiences |
Checkbox option |
Advanced placement (AP) credits |
Checkbox option |
None of the above |
2. Special Learning Opportunities What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply] |
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Checkbox option |
ROTC |
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Checkbox option |
Army |
Checkbox option |
Navy |
Checkbox option |
Air Force |
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Checkbox option |
Marine option |
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Checkbox option |
Study abroad |
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Checkbox option |
Weekend/evening courses or programs |
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Checkbox option |
Undergraduate research (co-curricula) |
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Checkbox option |
Teacher certification (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level) Do not include certifications to teach at the postsecondary level. |
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Checkbox option |
Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization |
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Checkbox option |
Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization |
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Checkbox option |
This institution is approved by the state for the initial certification or licensure of teachers |
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Checkbox option |
Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities |
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Checkbox option |
None of the above |
3. If your institution grants a bachelor's degree or higher but does not offer a full 4-year program of study at the undergraduate level, how many years of completed college-level work are required for entrance? [Applicable to 4-year institutions only] |
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Number of years |
Dropdown menu |
Part B – Student Services – Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply] |
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Checkbox option |
Academic/career counseling services |
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Checkbox option |
Employment services for current students |
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Checkbox option |
Placement services for program completers |
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Checkbox option |
On-campus dependent care |
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Checkbox option |
None of the above |
5. Which of the following academic library resources or services does your institution provide? [Check all that apply] |
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Checkbox option |
Physical facilities |
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Checkbox option |
An organized collection of printed materials |
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Checkbox option |
Access to digital/electronic resources |
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Checkbox option |
A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials |
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Checkbox option |
Established library hours |
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Checkbox option |
Access to library collections shared with other institutions |
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Checkbox option |
None of the above |
6a. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution. |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes [Check all that apply] |
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Checkbox option |
Tuition guarantee |
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Checkbox option |
Prepaid tuition plan |
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Checkbox option |
Tuition payment plan |
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Checkbox option |
Other (specify in box below) |
6b. Indicate whether or not your institution participates in a Promise program.
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part B – Student Services – Distance Education
7. Please indicate at what level(s) your institution does or does not offer distance education courses and/or distance education programs. Check all that apply. |
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Distance education courses |
Distance education programs |
Does not offer Distance Education |
Undergraduate level |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
Graduate level [Applicable to 4-year institutions] |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs? |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes |
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Part B – Student Services – Disability Services
9. Please indicate the percentage of all undergraduate students enrolled during Fall 2022 who were formally registered as students with disabilities with the institution's office of disability services (or the equivalent office). |
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Radio button option |
3 percent or less |
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Radio button option |
More than 3 percent |
Reported value (if more than 3% is selected) |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part C - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students required to live on campus or in institutionally-controlled housing? |
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If you answer Yes to this question, you will not be asked to report off-campus food and housing in the price of attendance (C11).
This is only a screening question, and your response does not show up on College Navigator.
If you make any exceptions to this rule, and have even one full-time, first-time student living off-campus, please answer No so that this does not cause conflicts with the Student Financial Aid survey. Making changes to the SFA component is very difficult and may lead to inaccurate reporting for your institution. |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule |
2. Does your institution charge different tuition for in-district, in-state, or out-of-state students? [Applicable to academic reporters only all institutions] |
If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to report tuition amounts for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state students.
Please only select Yes if you really charge different tuition rates, or you will be reporting the same numbers 3 times.
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Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes, please check all tuition rates charged by your institution |
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Checkbox option |
In-district |
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Checkbox option |
In-state |
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Checkbox option |
Out-of-state |
3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (on-campus and/or off-campus)? |
If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to specify a housing capacity, and to report a housing charge or a combined food and housing charge (C10).
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Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes |
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Specify housing capacity for academic year 2023-24 |
Reported value (if yes) |
4. Do you offer food or meal plans to your students? |
If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to report a food charge or combined food and housing charge (C10). |
Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes - Enter the number of meals per week for the meal plan with the largest number of meals available |
Reported value (if this option is selected) |
Radio button option |
Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card) |
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Part C - Undergraduate Student Charges
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount. |
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Amount |
Prior year |
Undergraduate application fee |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
5. Charges to full-time undergraduate students for the full academic year 2023-24 [in-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns only applicable to institutions with breakdowns] Please be sure to report an average tuition that includes all students at all levels (1st year, 2nd year, etc.). |
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In-district |
Prior year |
In-state |
Prior year |
Out-of-state |
Prior year |
All full-time undergraduates |
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Average tuition |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
6. Per credit hour charge for part-time undergraduate students [in-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns only applicable to institutions with breakdowns] Please be sure to report an average per credit tuition that includes all students at all levels (1st year, 2nd year, etc.). Do not include fees. |
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In-district |
Prior year |
In-state |
Prior year |
Out-of-state |
Prior year |
Per credit hour charge |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
[Applicable to 4-year institutions] Please do not include tuition for Doctor’s Degree – Professional Practice programs. Data for those programs are collected separately.
7. Charges to full-time graduate students for the full academic year 2023-24 [Applicable to 4-year institutions only] [in-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns only applicable to institutions with breakdowns] Please be sure to report an average tuition that includes all students at all levels (1st year, 2nd year, etc.). |
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In-district |
Prior year |
In-state |
Prior year |
Out-of-state |
Prior year |
Average tuition |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
8. Per credit hour charge for part-time graduate students [Applicable to 4-year institutions only] [in-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns only applicable to institutions with breakdowns] Please be sure to report an average per credit tuition that includes all graduate students (NOT doctor’s degree-professional practice students). Do not include fees. |
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In-district |
Prior year |
In-state |
Prior year |
Out-of-state |
Prior year |
Per credit hour charge |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Part C - Student Charges - Graduate, Doctor's-Professional Practice Tuition [Applicable to 4-year institutions only] [in-state and out-of-state breakdowns only applicable to institutions with breakdowns]
9. List the typical tuition and required fees for a full-time doctor's-professional practice student in any of the selected programs for the full academic year 2023-24. DO NOT include food and housing charges. |
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In-state |
Out-of-state |
1. Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
2. Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
3. Medicine (M.D.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
4. Optometry (O.D.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
5. Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
6. Pharmacy (Pharm.D.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
7. Podiatry (Pod.D., D.P., or D.P.M.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
8. Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
9. Law (J.D.): |
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Tuition amount |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Part C - Student Charges - Food and Housing [Applicable to degree-granting institutions only]
10. What are the typical food and housing charges for a student for the full academic year 2023-24? If your institution offers food or housing at no charge to students, enter zero. If you report food and housing separately, leave the combined charge blank. If you report a combined charge, leave the food and housing charges blank. |
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Food and housing charges |
Amount |
Prior year |
Housing charge (Double occupancy) |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Food charge (Maximum plan) |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Combined food and housing charge (Answer only if you CANNOT separate food and housing charges.) |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part C – Student Charges – Cost of Attendance
11. Cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate students: [in-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns applicable to institutions with varied tuition only] These numbers are carried forward to the Student Financial Aid and used in net price calculations. Please enter the amounts requested below for each Cost of Attendance (COA) category. These data will be made available to the public on College Navigator. You must complete all information if your institution participates in any Title IV financial aid programs (e.g., Federal Pell Grant, Federal Direct Loans). Books and supplies; food and housing; and other expenses cost estimates are those reported to the U.S. Department of Education and used by the financial aid office to determine financial need. Please work with the financial aid office at your institution to make sure the values reported are correct. |
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Notes:
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If the 2023-24 tuition and/or fees as reported on this page for full-time, first-time students are covered by a tuition guarantee program, check the applicable box(es) under 'Tuition Guarantee'. Additionally, please indicate the maximum % increase that is guaranteed. These numbers are expected to be fairly small. Please contact the Help Desk if you are confused about these values and how to report them. |
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Charges for full academic year |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
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Published tuition and required fees: |
Tuition Guarantee (check only if applicable to entering students in 2023-4) |
Guaranteed increase % |
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In-district |
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Tuition |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Checkbox option |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Checkbox option |
Reported value |
Tuition + fees total |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
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In-state |
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Tuition |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Checkbox option |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Checkbox option |
Reported value |
Tuition + fees total |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
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Out-of-state |
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Tuition |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Checkbox option |
Reported value |
Required fees |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
Checkbox option |
Reported value |
Tuition + fees total |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
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Books and supplies |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
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On-campus: |
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Food and housing |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
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Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
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Food and housing and other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
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Off-campus (not with family): |
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Food and housing |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
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Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
|
|
Food and housing and other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
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|
Off-campus (with family): |
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Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Reported value |
|
|
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part D - Athletic Association [Applicable to degree-granting institutions only]
1. Is this institution a member of a national athletic association? |
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Radio button option |
No |
|
Radio button option |
Yes [Check all that apply] |
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|
Checkbox option |
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) |
|
Checkbox option |
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
Other |
2. If this institution is a member of the NCAA or NAIA, specify the conference FOR EACH SPORT using the pull-down menu. |
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Sport |
NCAA or NAIA member |
Conference |
|||
Football |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Basketball |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Baseball |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Cross country and/or track |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Overview
Institutional Characteristics Overview
Welcome to the Institutional Characteristics (IC) survey component. This component collects important information about your institution's student services and student charges. Answer questions about services and costs for the 2023-24 academic year unless instructed to report for a different period.
Much of the data reported on IC appear on College Navigator, which is updated once after IC data have been reviewed. Thus, errors may stay on College Navigator for a full year.
Additionally, the cost of attendance data are used to calculate the net price of attendance in the Student Financial Aid component. This has important implications for what students see about your institution, and also for the College Affordability and Transparency Center's lists. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
Remember, it is the responsibility of the keyholder to submit accurate data about the institution. Please contact the IPEDS Help Desk for clarifications to make sure that you are reporting correctly.
Data Reporting Reminder:
Report data to accurately reflect the time period corresponding with the IPEDS survey component, even if such reporting is seemingly inconsistent with prior-year reporting.
Changes in reporting:
The following changes were made for the 2023-24 collection:
Removed temporary guidance in response to Coronavirus Pandemic
Rephrased “room and board” terminology in survey materials to “food and housing,” including Glossary terms
Rephrased “remedial education” terminology in survey materials to “developmental education,” including Glossary terms
Removed parenthetical references to “4 weeks” and/or “4.33 weeks” for text to read “1 month”
Added FAQ regarding including incarcerated students in reporting
Updated FAQ regarding experimental site participants
Added FAQ #4 and #5 regarding the expenses included in cost of attendance section
Removed the dual enrollment option for Part B, Question 1
Common Errors
Quality control reviews of past IC data indicate frequently made errors. Please review the common errors below to ensure accurate reporting.
Part C, question 8 should only be marked 'YES' if your institution is EXCLUSIVELY distance education. Do not mark 'YES' if your courses/programs are also available in person.
Do not try to outsmart fatal errors; this is falsifying data. Contact the Help Desk to override, or fix, the data.
Make sure you understand ALL definitions before responding to questions. For example, make sure that you are reporting for an 'ACADEMIC YEAR’, or 'PROGRAM' as defined by IPEDS.
Resources:
To download the survey materials for this component: Survey Materials
If you have questions about completing this survey, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 1-877-225-2568.
Part A - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
1. Which of the following are available to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families? |
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|
Checkbox option |
Yellow Ribbon Program (officially known as Post-9/11 GI Bill, Yellow Ribbon Program) |
|
Checkbox option |
Credit for military training |
|
Checkbox option |
Dedicated point of contact for support services for veterans, military servicemembers, and their families |
|
Checkbox option |
Recognized student veteran organization |
|
Checkbox option |
Member of Department of Defense Voluntary Educational Partnership Memorandum of Understanding |
|
Checkbox option |
None of the above |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part B - Student Services - Special Learning Opportunities
1. Does your institution accept any of the following? [Check all that apply] |
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|
ð |
Checkbox option |
ð Credit for life experiences |
Checkbox option |
ð Advanced placement (AP) credits |
Checkbox option |
ð None of the above |
2. Special Learning Opportunities What types of special learning opportunities are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply] |
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Checkbox option |
ROTC |
|
|||||||
|
Checkbox option |
Army |
Checkbox option |
Navy |
Checkbox option |
Air Force |
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|
|
|
Checkbox option |
Marine option |
|
|
|||
Checkbox option |
Study abroad |
|
|||||||
Checkbox option |
Weekend/evening courses or programs |
|
|||||||
Checkbox option |
Undergraduate research (co-curricula) |
|
|||||||
Checkbox option |
Teacher certification (for the elementary, middle school/junior high, or secondary level) Do not include certifications to teach at the postsecondary level. |
|
|||||||
|
Checkbox option |
Students can complete their preparation in certain areas of specialization |
|
||||||
|
Checkbox option |
Students must complete their preparation at another institution for certain areas of specialization |
|
||||||
|
Checkbox option |
This institution is approved by the state for the initial certification or licensure of teachers |
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Checkbox option |
Comprehensive transition and postsecondary program for students with intellectual disabilities |
|
|||||||
Checkbox option |
None of the above |
|
3. If your institution grants a bachelor's degree or higher but does not offer a full 4-year program of study at the undergraduate level, how many years of completed college-level work are required for entrance? [Applicable to 4-year institutions only] |
|
Number of years |
Dropdown menu |
Part B – Student Services – Other Student Services
4. Which of the following selected student services are offered by your institution? [Check all that apply] |
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|
Checkbox option |
Academic/career counseling services |
|
Checkbox option |
Employment services for current students |
|
Checkbox option |
Placement services for program completers |
|
Checkbox option |
On-campus dependent care |
|
Checkbox option |
None of the above |
5. Which of the following academic library resources or services does your institution provide? [Check all that apply] |
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|
Checkbox option |
Physical facilities |
|
Checkbox option |
An organized collection of printed materials |
|
Checkbox option |
Access to digital/electronic resources |
|
Checkbox option |
A staff trained to provide and interpret library materials |
|
Checkbox option |
Established library hours |
|
Checkbox option |
Access to library collections shared with other institutions |
|
Checkbox option |
None of the above |
6a. Indicate whether or not any of the following alternative tuition plans are offered by your institution. |
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Radio button option |
No |
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|
Radio button option |
Yes [Check all that apply] |
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|
Checkbox option |
Tuition guarantee |
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|
Checkbox option |
Prepaid tuition plan |
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|
Checkbox option |
Tuition payment plan |
|
|
Checkbox option |
Other (specify in box below) |
|
6b. Indicate whether or not your institution participates in a Promise program.
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes [Check all that apply] |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part B – Student Services – Distance Education
7. Please indicate at what level(s) your institution does or does not offer distance education courses and/or distance education programs. Check all that apply. |
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|
Distance education courses |
Distance education programs |
Does not offer Distance Education |
Undergraduate level |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
Graduate level [Applicable to 4-year institutions] |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
Checkbox option |
8. Are all the programs at your institution offered exclusively via distance education programs? |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes |
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Part B – Student Services – Disability Services
9. Please indicate the percentage of all undergraduate students enrolled during Fall 2022 who were formally registered as students with disabilities with the institution's office of disability services (or the equivalent office). |
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Radio button option |
3 percent or less |
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|
Radio button option |
More than 3 percent |
Reported value (if more than 3% is selected) |
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You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part C - Student Charges Questions
1. Are all full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students required to live on campus or in institutionally-controlled housing? |
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If you answer Yes to this question, you will not be asked to report off-campus food and housing in the price of attendance (C7).
This is only a screening question, and your response does not show up on College Navigator.
If you make any exceptions to this rule, and have even one full-time, first-time student living off-campus, please answer No so that this does not cause conflicts with the Student Financial Aid survey. Making changes to the SFA component is very difficult and may lead to inaccurate reporting for your institution. |
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Radio button option |
No |
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Radio button option |
Yes, and we do not make ANY (even one) exceptions to this rule |
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3. Does your institution offer institutionally-controlled housing (on-campus and/or off-campus)? |
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If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to specify a housing capacity, and to report a housing charge or a combined food and housing charge (C10).
|
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Radio button option |
No |
|
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Radio button option |
Yes |
|
|
|
Specify housing capacity for academic year 2023-24 |
Reported value (if yes) |
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4. Do you offer food or meal plans to your students? |
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If you answer Yes to this question, you will be expected to report a food charge or combined food and housing charge (C10). |
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Radio button option |
No |
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|
Radio button option |
Yes - Enter the number of meals per week for the meal plan with the largest number of meals available |
Reported value (if this option is selected) |
|
Radio button option |
Yes - Number of meals per week can vary (e.g., students charge meals against a meal card) |
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Part C - Student Charges - Number of programs
5. How many programs are offered at your institution? Be sure not to report single courses, report only full programs. If you do not know what a program is, review the definition in the glossary or call the Help Desk. |
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|
|
Number of programs |
Reported value |
Part C – Student Charges – Cost of Attendance
7. Cost of attendance for entering students: Please enter the amounts requested below for each Cost of Attendance (COA) category. These data will be made available to the public on College Navigator. If your institution participates in any Title IV programs (e.g., Pell, Direct Loans), you must provide all information. Estimates of expenses for books and supplies; food and housing; and other expenses are those from the COA report used by the financial aid office in determining financial need. Please confirm with your institution’s financial aid office the correct values for these COA categories, as its staff are most familiar with federal guidance (e.g., Federal Student Aid Handbook) and professional standards in determining COA. |
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Notes:
If the institution charges and application fee, indicate the amount.
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You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part C - Student Charges - Cost of Attendance - Calculated values
7. Cost of attendance - Calculated values [In-district, In-state, and Out-of-State breakdowns applicable to institutions reporting varying tuition only] Please review the numbers below for accuracy. If something looks incorrect, please go to the previous page and make sure all of the numbers reported on that page are correct. If you still do not think the numbers are correct, please contact the IPEDS Help Desk at 877-225-2568. |
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CIP CODE OF LARGEST PROGRAM BY ENROLLMENT |
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TITLE OF LARGEST PROGRAM BY ENROLLMENT |
|
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Published student charges for the entire program |
2020-21 |
2021-22 |
2022-23 |
2023-24 |
Tuition and required fees |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Books and supplies |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
|
||||
On-campus: |
||||
Food and housing |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Food and housing and other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Off-campus (not with family): |
||||
Food and housing |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Food and housing and other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Off-campus (with family): |
||||
Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
|
||||
Published student charges for an academic year |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Tuition and required fees |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Books and supplies |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
|
||||
On-campus: |
||||
Food and housing |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Food and housing and other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Off-campus (not with family): |
||||
Food and housing |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Food and housing and other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Off-campus (with family): |
||||
Other expenses |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Prior year value |
Calculated value |
Part C - Student Charges - Program Data
8. Please list your second through sixth largest programs by enrollment and provide the requested information for each program. To enter a CIP code and program title, click on the select button, and then click on the program from the list provided. Choosing clear will remove the CIP code and title. Report the tuition and fees and the cost of books and supplies for the TOTAL LENGTH OF THE PROGRAM. Books and supplies include books, course materials, supplies, and equipment. Also report the length of the entire program in terms of clock or credit hours and provide the number of months it takes a full-time student to complete the entire program.
Note: The “largest” programs are determined by enrollment size and NOT program length. Use total enrollment size from the last reporting year, as the total current year enrollment is unknown. Enrollment includes students enrolled for credit regardless of their full-time/part-time status or if they are Title IV eligible.
Do not skip lines when reporting programs. Your 2nd largest program should be listed as 2nd, your 3rd as 3rd, etc.
|
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|
CIP Code |
Tuition and required fees |
Cost of books and supplies |
Total length of program |
Program Measurement |
# of months to complete |
||||
1st |
|
Carried forward |
Carried forward |
Carried forward |
Carried forward |
Carried forward |
Carried forward |
Carried forward |
|||
Title |
Carried forward |
||||||||||
2nd |
select clear |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Radio button option |
Clock hours |
Radio button option |
Credit hours |
Reported value |
|
Title |
Reported value |
||||||||||
3rd |
select clear |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Radio button option |
Clock hours |
Radio button option |
Credit hours |
Reported value |
|
Title |
Reported value |
||||||||||
4th |
select clear |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Radio button option |
Clock hours |
Radio button option |
Credit hours |
Reported value |
|
Title |
Reported value |
||||||||||
5th |
select clear |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Radio button option |
Clock hours |
Radio button option |
Credit hours |
Reported value |
|
Title |
Reported value |
||||||||||
6th |
select clear |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Reported value |
Radio button option |
Clock hours |
Radio button option |
Credit hours |
Reported value |
|
Title |
Reported value |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part C - Student Charges - Food and Housing [Applicable to degree-granting institutions]
10. What are the typical food and housing charges for a student for the full academic year 2023-24? If your institution offers food or housing at no charge to students, enter zero. If you report food and housing separately, leave the combined charge blank. If you report a combined charge, leave the food and housing charges blank. |
||
Food and housing charges |
Amount |
Prior year |
Housing charge (Double occupancy) |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Food charge (Maximum plan) |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
Combined food and housing charge (Answer only if you CANNOT separate food and housing charges.) |
Reported value |
Prior year value |
You may use the box below to provide additional context for the data you have reported above. Context notes will be posted on the College Navigator website. Therefore, you should write all context notes using proper grammar (e.g., complete sentences with punctuation) and common language that can be easily understood by students and parents (e.g., spell out acronyms).
Part D - Athletic Association [Applicable to degree-granting institutions]
1. Is this institution a member of a national athletic association? |
||
Radio button option |
No |
|
Radio button option |
Yes [Check all that apply] |
|
|
Checkbox option |
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) |
|
Checkbox option |
National Junior College Athletic Association (NJCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
United States Collegiate Athletic Association (USCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
National Christian College Athletic Association (NCCAA) |
|
Checkbox option |
Other |
2. If this institution is a member of the NCAA or NAIA, specify the conference FOR EACH SPORT using the pull-down menu. |
|||||
Sport |
NCAA or NAIA member |
Conference |
|||
Football |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Basketball |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Baseball |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Cross country and/or track |
Radio button option |
No |
Radio button option |
Yes-Specify |
Dropdown menu (if yes is selected) |
Purpose of Institutional Characteristics Survey
Changes in Reporting
General Instructions
Context Boxes
Coverage
Where to Get Help
Where the Data Will Appear
Reporting Directions
Part A - Services and Programs for Servicemembers and Veterans
Part B - Student Services
Part C - Student Charges
Part D - Athletic Association
Part E - Branch Campus
Purpose of Survey
The primary purpose of the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (IC) component is to collect basic institutional information including student services and athletic association. IC also collects student charges data including tuition for different levels and cost data for first-time, full-time students either for programs or for an academic year. This includes tuition and fee data as well as information on the estimated cost of attendance budgets for students based on living situations (on-campus or off-campus). The cost numbers are also used in the SFA survey during the Winter collection to calculate net price of attendance.
Changes in reporting:
The following changes were made for the 2023-24 collection:
Removed temporary guidance in response to Coronavirus Pandemic
Rephrased “room and board” terminology in survey materials to “food and housing,” including Glossary terms
Rephrased “remedial education” terminology in survey materials to “developmental education,” including Glossary terms
Removed parenthetical references to “4 weeks” and/or “4.33 weeks” for text to read “1 month”
Added FAQ regarding including incarcerated students in reporting
Updated FAQ regarding experimental site participants
Added FAQ #4 and #5 regarding the expenses included in cost of attendance section
Removed the dual enrollment option for Part B, Question 1
General instructions
Context Boxes
Context boxes are provided to allow institutions to provide more information regarding survey component items. Note that some context boxes are posted on the College Navigator Website, which is the college search tool offered by NCES. NCES will review entries in these context boxes for applicability and appropriateness before posting them on the College Navigator Website; institutions should check grammar and spelling of their entries.
Coverage
Carefully read each question in the Institutional Characteristics survey to ensure you are reporting data for the appropriate students. The student groups for which data are collected vary throughout the IC survey (e.g., undergraduate and graduate). In general, for each group, ensure that the guidelines below are met.
A. Who to include
Students enrolled in courses creditable toward a diploma, certificate, degree, or other recognized postsecondary credential.
Students enrolled in courses that are part of a vocational or occupational program, including those enrolled in off-campus centers.
High school students taking college courses for credit under their classification as recorded by the institution.
Full-time students taking developmental courses if the student is considered degree-seeking for the purpose of student financial aid determination.
Students from overseas enrolled in U.S. courses (e.g., online students).
Students who are incarcerated (e.g., postsecondary prison education program).
Graduate students enrolled for thesis credits, even when zero credits are awarded, as these students are still enrolled and seeking their degree.
B. Who NOT to include
Students enrolled exclusively in courses not creditable toward a recognized postsecondary credential or the completion of a vocational program.
Students taking Continuing Education Units (CEUs) unless they are also enrolled in courses creditable toward a degree or other recognized postsecondary credential.
Students exclusively auditing classes.
Residents or interns in Doctor's - professional practice fields since they have already received their Doctor's degree.
Any student studying abroad (e.g., at a foreign university) if their enrollment at this institution is only an administrative record and the fee is nominal.
Students enrolled in any branch campus located in a foreign country.
Where to Get Help with Reporting
IPEDS Help Desk
Phone: (877) 225-2568
E-mail: [email protected]
Web Tutorials
You can consult the IPEDS Website's Trainings & Outreach page which contains several tutorials on IPEDS data collection, a self-paced overview of IPEDS tools, and other valuable resources.
IPEDS Resource Page
The IPEDS Website's Reporting Tools page contains frequently asked questions, a link to data tip sheets, tutorials, taxonomies, information centers (e.g., academic libraries, average net price, human resources, race/ethnicity, etc.), and other valuable information.
Where the Reported Data Will Appear
Data collected through IPEDS will be accessible at the institution and aggregate levels.
At the institution-level, data will appear in the:
College Navigator Website
IPEDS Use the Data portal
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
College Affordability and Transparency Center Website
At the aggregate-level, data will appear in:
IPEDS Data Explorer
IPEDS Data Feedback Reports
The Digest of Education Statistics
The Condition of Education
Reporting Directions
Part A - Services for Military Servicemembers, Veterans, and Eligible Family Members
Services and Programs for Military Servicemembers and Veterans
Indicate which of the following are offered to veterans, military servicemembers, or their families.
For the Post-9/11 Bill Yellow Ribbon Program, please choose this only if the Yellow Ribbon Program is available at your institution.
Part B - Student Services
Special learning opportunities
Special credit
Indicate if your institution accepts credit earned prior to admission through any of the sources listed.
Special learning opportunities
Indicate if the listed special learning opportunities are offered by your institution. Teacher certification refers to pre-K through 12; if the institution only
provides certification for some levels (e.g., elementary only and not secondary), be sure to indicate that only certain levels are offered.
Years of study required for entry (Not applicable to less-than-4-year institutions)
If the institution limits entrance to students who have completed certain academic requirements, select the years of study required for entry. For example,
upper division only schools may require 2 years (60 credits) of study prior to admittance, and schools that offer only graduate programs may require
bachelor's degrees or 4 years of study for entrance.
Student services
Other Student services
Indicate which of the listed services are offered by your institution.
Library
Indicate whether your institution offers any of the listed resources or services. If none of the listed resources/services apply, select "None of the above".
Alternative tuition plans
Indicate if your institution offers any alternative tuition plans. Use the context box on the bottom of the page to provide details about tuition plans for
College Navigator. Please provide only factual information, context boxes are reviewed and inappropriate information (such as marketing information) will
be removed.
Promise program
Indicate if your institution participates in any Promise programs. Promise programs are residency-based scholarship programs for high school graduates at
selected postsecondary institutions. Programs may have additional requirements beyond residency and can be either a first-dollar or last-dollar benefit.
Distance education
Indicate the levels at which your institution offers distance education courses and/or distance education programs. Check all options that apply.
Distance education uses one or more technologies to deliver instruction to students who are separated from the instructor and to support regular and substantive interaction between the students and the instructor synchronously or asynchronously.
Requirements for coming to campus for orientation, testing, or academic support services do not exclude a course from being classified as distance education. Technologies used for instruction may include the following: Internet; one-way and two-way transmissions through open broadcasts, closed circuit, cable, microwave, broadband lines, fiber optics, satellite or wireless communication devices; audio conferencing; and video cassette, DVDs, and CD-ROMs, if the cassette, DVDs, and CD-ROMs are used in a course in conjunction with the technologies listed above.
Distance education course
A course in which the instructional content is delivered exclusively via distance education.
Distance education program
A program for which all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.
Distance education levels
Indicate whether you offer distance education courses and/or programs at the undergraduate level and/or graduate level. Please check all that apply. If you do not offer distance education courses and/or programs, please select “Does not offer distance education" at the undergraduate and/or graduate level.
Exclusively distance education programs
Indicate whether or not ALL programs offered by your institution are delivered exclusively via distance education, meaning all the required coursework for program completion is able to be completed via distance education courses.
Disabilities
Please indicate the percentage of all undergraduate students enrolled during the time period indicated who were formally registered as students with disabilities with the institution's office of disability services (or the equivalent office). This may include students with physical or learning disabilities, as well as other types of disabilities. If greater than 3% of students are registered as having a disability, you will need to indicate a percentage (up to 2 decimal places).
Please use the context box on the page to provide information, such as the webpage for your disability services website.
Part C - Student Charges
Screening questions
If you responded to questions regarding full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students in the Institutional Characteristics Header survey, your institution will be required to answer all the questions.
On-campus or institutionally-controlled off-campus housing requirement
Indicate if ALL full-time, first-time degree/certificate-seeking students are required to live on campus or in institutionally-controlled off-campus housing. If you make ANY exceptions, you should not select this as a requirement, as this will cause inconsistencies in your reporting between this section and the Student Financial Aid survey calculation of net price.
This question is a screening question and does not appear on College Navigator. Please respond correctly.
Tuition based on residence [Applicable to public institutions only] [Applicable to academic reporting institutions only]
Indicate if the institution charges a different price for students from in-district, in-state, or out-of-state. If you select yes, indicate which of the tuition rates listed are charged by your institutions.
Institutionally-controlled housing
Indicate if the institution provides institutionally-controlled housing (either on- or off-campus) and if so, specify the housing capacity.
Meal plans
Indicate if the institution offers food or meal plans to students. If the institution offers fixed meal plans, provide the number of meals per week for the maximum plan available. Institutions will be asked to report the food charges or combined food and housing charges on later screens.
Tuition and fees for undergraduate students (academic year reporters) (Part C – Undergraduate Student Charges) [Applicable to academic reporting institutions only] [In-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns applicable to public institutions only]
Undergraduate students include:
Students who have not attained a bachelor's degree;
Students in bachelor's degree programs that require at least 4 years but fewer than 6 years of college work; or
Students in occupational or general study programs requiring 1, 2, or 3 years of college work that are designed to prepare students for immediate employment or to provide general education rather than to serve as the first 1, 2, or 3 years of a bachelor's degree program.
Undergraduate application fee
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount. An application fee is the amount of money that an institution charges for processing a
student's application for admittance to the institution. This amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
Tuition and required fees for undergraduate students
This tuition value differs from cost of attendance as it is the average tuition and fees for ALL undergraduate students and all levels (1st year, 2nd year, etc.). It is possible that this number will be different from the cost of attendance that you will report if you have first-time, full-time students.
Since tuition and required fees and food and housing charges may be different for varying groups of full-time undergraduate students at an institution, adhere to the following rules regarding reporting:
Report the average tuition and required fees for the full academic year charged to in-district, in-state, and out-of-state students. If you selected ‘yes’ for the screening question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even if two are the same. If they are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different tuitions.
If the institution charges tuition on a per-credit-hour basis, estimate average tuition based on the average full-time credit-hour load for an entire academic year.
When reporting required fees, include all fixed sum charges that are REQUIRED of a majority of students.
Do not include any charges that are clearly optional.
Per-credit-hour charges for part-time undergraduate students
Enter the average dollar amount your institution charges to part-time undergraduate students per credit hour of instruction. Do not include fees. If you selected ‘yes’ for the screening question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even if two are the same. If they are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different tuition amounts.
Tuition and fees for graduate students (Part C – Graduate Student Charges) [Applicable to 4-year institutions only] [In-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns applicable to public institutions only] [Applicable to academic year reporting institutions only]
Graduate students include any student who holds a bachelor's degree or equivalent and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level. These students may or may not be enrolled in graduate programs.
Graduate application fee
If the institution charges an application fee, indicate the amount. An application fee is the amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for admittance to the institution. This amount is not creditable toward tuition or required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.
Tuition and required fees for graduate students
Since tuition and required fees may be different for varying groups of full-time graduate students at an institution, adhere to the following rules regarding reporting:
Do not include doctor’s-professional practice tuition. This will be collected separately.
Report the average tuition and required fees charged to full-time graduate students for the full academic year. If you selected ‘yes’ for the screening question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even if two are the same. If they are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different tuitions.
When reporting required fees, include all fixed sum charges that are REQUIRED of a majority of students.
Do not include any charges that are clearly optional.
Per-credit-hour charges for part-time graduate students
Enter the dollar amount the institution most frequently charges to part-time graduate students per credit hour of instruction. Do not include fees. If you selected ‘yes’ for the screening question that you charge different tuitions for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state, provide amounts in all columns even if two are the same. If they are all the same, go back to the screening question that asks about this and indicate that you do not charge different tuitions.
Doctor's - professional practice tuition and fees [Applicable to 4-year institutions only] [In-state and out-of-state breakdowns applicable to public institutions only] [Applicable to academic year reporting institutions only]
Report the tuition and fees (if applicable, for both in- and out-of-state) for students in the selected professional practice programs.
Number of programs (program reporters only) [Applicable to program reporting institutions only]
Provide the total number of occupational programs offered by your institution. A program is a combination of courses and related activities organized for the attainment of broad educational objectives as described by the institution. Please do not count single courses as a program.
Food and Housing (Part C – Food and Housing) [Applicable to degree-granting institutions only]
Institutions that offer institutionally-controlled housing (either on- or off- campus) will be required to answer the questions in this section.
Report the typical housing charge for the full academic year (as indicated on screen) for a full-time student sharing a room with one other student. Report the food or meal plan charge based on the maximum meal plan available for the full academic year (as indicated on screen) to a full-time student. Report a combined food and housing charge only if food and housing charges cannot be separated.
Academic year reporters cost of attendance for full-time, first-time undergraduate students (Part C – Cost of Attendance) [In-district, in-state, and out-of-state breakdowns applicable to public institutions only] [Applicable to academic year reporting institutions only]
If you made errors in the prior year reporting, you will need to make changes in the Student Financial Aid component in the Winter. Revisions or changes to costs can ONLY be made in the Student Financial Aid component and not in the prior year revision system.
This question requires working with your student financial aid office.
Institutions with standard academic terms (semesters, quarters, trimesters, or 4-1-4 or hybrid institutions) should provide cost information for in-district, in-state, and out-of-state students for the FULL ACADEMIC YEAR in the columns indicated. The numbers reported for tuition; fees; books and supplies; food and housing; and other expenses must match the amounts used by your financial aid office for determining eligibility for student financial assistance. . You will not be able to lock your submission without these data.
Report BOTH tuition and fees, separately. Please report accurately as these numbers are used in the calculation of net price during the Student Financial Aid survey. Net price appears to the public in College Navigator, including the College Affordability and Transparency Center, as mandated in accordance with Sec. 111 of the Higher Education Opportunity Act of 2008 (HEOA).
Indicate whether the tuition and/or fees reported are covered by a tuition guarantee plan. If they are, but it is not a flat rate, please provide the
guaranteed maximum rate of increase.
Food and Housing:
If your institution housing but does not offer food or meal plans, refer to your institution’s cost of attendance budgets from your financial aid office to report an estimate of how much students would spend on food.
If your institution offers food or meal plans but does not offer housing, refer to your institution’s cost of attendance budgets from your financial aid office to report an estimate of how much students would spend on housing.
Program reporters cost of attendance (Part C – Cost of Attendance) [Applicable to program reporting institutions only]
Institutions with no full-time, first-time students will report the six largest programs on one page, and should follow the directions under ‘Reporting the next 5 largest programs’ to report these data. For public institutions, report the in-state or in-district costs if applicable.
Reporting the largest program by enrollment
Errors can be corrected in the Student Financial Aid component in the Winter.
This question requires working with your student financial aid office.
The “largest” programs are determined by enrollment size and NOT program length. Use total enrollment size from the last reporting year, as the total
current year enrollment is unknown. Enrollment includes students enrolled for credit regardless of full-time/part-time status or if they are Title IV eligible.
This section asks questions about the largest program by enrollment your institution has offered for entering students. Institutions that provided data for
the largest program in the prior year will see pre-loaded data (when CIP code has changed, you will need to update the CIP with an appropriate CIP). If the
largest program has changed, check the box provided and indicate a different program. You will be required to enter data for all 4 years as indicated on
the screen.
To enter or change the largest program
Select the CIP category code from the first drop-down box and title from the second drop-down box. If you need to restore the pre-loaded information, click the reset button at bottom of the screen.
Provide the total length of program in clock or credit hours and in weeks (as completed by a student attending full-time).
Provide the total length of the academic year, as used to calculate your Pell budget, in clock or credit hours and in weeks.
Enter an application fee (if applicable).
Provide amounts for tuition and fees, books and supplies; food and housing; and other expenses FOR THE TIME PERIOD INDICATED (either for the length of the program, or for 1 month). These are the amounts used by your financial aid office for determining eligibility for student financial assistance.
Note: Programs of English as a second language and GED courses are not to be included in IPEDS. Institutions should report their largest program based on enrollment size.
Reporting the next 5 largest programs by enrollment
This section asks questions about the next 5 largest programs by enrollment your institution offers for entering students (or, if you have no full-time, first-time students, the 6 largest programs).
Only if reporting 6 largest programs because you do not have full-time, first-time students, enter an application fee (if applicable).
Select the CIP category code from the first drop-down box and title from the second drop-down box. If you need to restore the pre-loaded information, click the reset button at bottom of the screen.
Enter the tuition and required fees charged for the entire length of the program.
Enter the cost of books and supplies for the program, which may include course materials and equipment for some institutions.
Report the full length of the program and indicate whether the length of the entire program is measured in clock or credit hours.
Report the number of months it takes a full-time student to complete the program.
Part D - Athletic Association
Indicate if the institution is a member of a national athletic association.
For institutions belonging to NCAA or NAIA, select the conference (by sport) from the pull-down menu provided.
Part E - Campus information
For campuses, refer to the instructions on the appropriate screen.
General |
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1 |
What is the purpose of the Institutional Characteristics survey?
The primary purpose of the IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (IC) survey is to collect basic institutional information including student services and athletic association. IC also collects student charges data including tuition for different levels and cost data for first-time, full-time students either for programs or for an academic year. This includes tuition and fee data as well as information on the estimated student budgets for students based on living situations (on-campus or off-campus). The cost numbers are also used in the SFA survey during the spring collection to calculate net price of attendance. |
2 |
What institutions are included in IPEDS?
IPEDS gathers information from every college, university, and technical and vocational institution that participates in the federal student financial aid programs. The Higher Education Act of 1965, as amended, requires that institutions that participate in federal student aid programs report data on enrollments, program completions, graduation rates, faculty and staff, finances, institutional prices, and student financial aid. |
3 |
Can I change my Institutional Characteristics data during the winter or spring surveys if I made a mistake in the fall?
No, you cannot change your IC data in the winter or spring, except in rare circumstances. Due to processing and the size of the database, it is difficult to make changes once a survey is closed. It is the responsibility of the institution's keyholder to report these data correctly in the fall, as they do impact other surveys (e.g., Student Financial Aid). |
4 |
Where can I find my accrediting agency information since it is no longer collected in IPEDS?
The Office of Postsecondary Education (OPE) website: OPE Accreditation database at https://ope.ed.gov/accreditation/. |
5 |
Are U.S. jurisdictions or territories (like Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, etc.) considered in the U.S. for distance education location reporting?
Yes, students located in a U.S. jurisdiction while they are enrolled in distance education courses should be reported as located in the U.S. |
6 |
We offer courses that combine distance education and traditional teaching methods (“hybrid” courses). How should students enrolled in these courses be counted in the distance education portion of Fall Enrollment?
Hybrid courses are not considered by IPEDS as distance education. Students enrolled in “hybrid” courses should be reported as “not enrolled in any distance education courses.” |
7 |
Should my institution, which is participating as a U.S. Department of Education experimental site, include experimental site participants in IPEDS Institutional Characteristics (IC) student counts and cost of attendance amounts? No. Exclude experimental site participants from cost of attendance student counts and amounts reported on the IC survey component. |
8 |
Should incarcerated students be included in IC reporting?
Include all students enrolled for credit even if enrolled at off-campus locations (e.g., federal or state penal institution). This includes, but is not limited to, students enrolled for credit in a recognized prison education program (PEP). |
Student Charges |
|
1 |
When determining the dormitory capacity, should we include off campus housing reserved for graduate and/or married students?
Yes, if the institution is providing the housing and the students pay “rent” or “ housing fees” to the institution. |
2 |
Our institution offers several meal plans. Which plan should I report?
You should report the meal plan that offers the maximum number of meals per week. If your institution offers an unlimited number of meals, enter 99. |
3 |
For academic year tuition reporters, what is the difference between the undergraduate tuition and fees charges in Part D question 5, and the tuition and fees charges in Part D question 11?
The tuition and fees reported in question 5 are the average amounts charged to all full-time undergraduate students; the tuition and fees in question 11 represent the average amounts charged to full-time, first-time undergraduate students. The data in question 13 should be provided by your financial aid office as these are the amounts used to determine students’ cost of attendance. |
4 |
How do I calculate or determine “average tuition”?
If your institution charges tuition on a per-credit-hour basis, then you should estimate average tuition based on the average full-time credit hour load for an entire academic year. If you have different charges for different programs at the undergraduate or graduate levels, calculate the “average” tuition using the amount that a typical student would expect to pay. BE SURE TO REPORT TUITION FOR THE ENTIRE ACADEMIC YEAR! |
Cost of Attendance |
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1 |
How do I know what amounts to report for food and housing and other expenses for institutionally-controlled housing both on and off campus?
Report the food and housing amounts used by your financial aid office for determining student budgets. The other expenses are the amount of money estimated by the financial aid office needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings. Do not include tuition, required fees, books, course materials, supplies, or equipment required for a program of study with other expenses. |
2 |
How do I know what amounts to report for food and housing and other expenses for off campus?
You should enter the amount for a typical full-time student living off campus with family or not with family used by the financial aid office to determine the student budget. |
3 |
Do I have to report off campus living expenses?
Yes, if your institution does not require all of full-time, first-time students to live on campus (or makes ANY exceptions to this policy). |
4 |
What costs should be included in books and supplies?
Books and supplies typically include books, course materials, supplies, and equipment required of all students in the same course of study. It may include the documented rental or cost of a computer as determined by the institution. See the IPEDS Glossary for additional information. Please work with the financial aid office to make sure costs are assigned to the correct period for IPEDS reporting purposes. |
5 |
What are living expenses?
Living expenses typically include food and housing costs for students attending the at least half time regardless of the student’s living arrangements. There are exceptions to this rule. Please work with the financial aid office to report these data items to IPEDS. Note: Food and housing are the same as room and board. |
6 |
What are “other expenses”?
This is the amount of money, estimated by the financial aid office, that is needed by a student to cover expenses such as laundry, transportation, entertainment, and furnishings. |
7 |
What IC data are included on the College Navigator website?
The Institutional Characteristics information that is made available on College Navigator includes special learning opportunities, student services, tuition and required fees, food and housing charges, books and supplies, and other expenses. The best way to see what information is available about your institution is to look up your institution on College Navigator. |
8 |
If my institution offers food or housing, but not both, how should I report this on the Cost of Attendance page?
In this case, the “ food and housing” value must include both the known value and an estimate for the unknown value. Inclusion of both meal cost and housing cost is necessary to generate a total cost of attendance, which is subsequently needed for Net Price calculations. For example, if the institution offers meals but no housing, in the “on-campus food and housing” field they would need to enter a total that includes the cost of the meal plan plus an estimate of housing (such as a housing cost similar to that of off-campus housing). |
File Type | application/vnd.openxmlformats-officedocument.wordprocessingml.document |
Author | Lawley, Tara |
File Modified | 0000-00-00 |
File Created | 2023-09-15 |