How to Build a Better List
by using the Common Data Set
College applications can be overwhelming—there’s so much information, so many rankings, and a lot of noise.
Parents and students can find key data points to compare schools, assess admissions chances, and make informed college decisions by using the Common Data Set.
The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative is a collaborative effort among data providers in the higher education community and publishers, as represented by the College Board, Peterson’s, and U.S. News & World Report. This collaboration aims to improve the quality and accuracy of information provided to all involved in a student’s transition into higher education, as well as to reduce the reporting burden on data providers. This standardized set of data points includes statistics on admissions, financial aid, academics, student life, and more.
Students don’t need to rely on marketing materials; they can use the CDS to research colleges and build a tailored list to compare schools side by side and find hidden gems — some schools with lower name recognition have superior outcomes.
Students may use CDS data to gauge admissions chances instead of relying on rankings, or assess financial fit early: if a school is stingy with aid, it may not be the best option.
The CDS is a free, powerful tool available to students and parents. The problem is that most students and parents don’t even know it exists, let alone how to use it to refine a college list.
Where to Find the Common Data Set: Colleges publish CDS data on their websites, but it’s often buried in institutional research pages. The CDS is most commonly a PDF file, occasionally an Excel file, and very rarely a web dashboard.
Some third-party tools (BigFuture, College Navigator, CollegeData.com) compile CDS data, but it’s best to check the source on the college’s website. Why? Because these aggregators often use older data, sometimes several years old. To be useful, students must be looking at the latest information.
PRO TIP: Use Google. Search “[College Name] Common Data Set [YEAR]” to easily find the latest version.
The Common Data Set is structured into different sections, each covering key aspects of a college or university.
Here’s a breakdown of the most useful data points:
Want to know your chances of admission? → Check Section C (First-Year Admissions)
Worried about financial aid? → Look at Section H (Financial Aid)
Interested in small class sizes? → Check Section I (Instructional Faculty & Class Size)
Trying to compare costs? → Review Section G (Annual Expenses)
“Do I need to submit test scores?” → Look at the percentage of students admitted without them
“How many students actually graduate?” → Check the 4-year and 6-year graduation rates
“Will I get merit scholarships?” → Compare the percentage of students who receive merit aid
