At a session on how to access data at the National Center for Education Statistics, reporters learned about ways to find relatively up-to-date information through the IPEDS data base, which currebtly has reports from close to 7,000 schools, for the school year 2007-08.
They also learned about the QuickStats database, which surveys an estimated 117,000 every four years to get an overview about the lives of America's college students.
David Radwin, of MPR Associates, showed how the IPEDS data -- updated annually -- provides information by race, gender, age, and full- or part-time status. It also has graduatuon rates, financial aid statistics, faculty salaries, tuition and fees, and the estimated cost for a year on campus.
For parents ans students looking at colleges, he advised that they consult NCES' College Navigator site.
The IPEDs data base allows users to enter search criteria that allows comparisons between institutions. He compared Stanford to UC Berkeley on Pell grants, which he said was the best marker for low-income students. His search found that 12 percent of Stanford's students received Pell grants, compared to 31 percent for UC Berkeley.
Anyone seeking help using the data base should contact Aurora D'Amico, at 202-502-7334 or aurora.d'amico@ed.gov. The IPEDS help desk is at 866-558-0658. They have free webinars that can help you use the data.
Another source of online data can be found at the site of the Institute for College Access and Success.
-- David McKay Wilson
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