What is the Common Data Set—and How Do You Use It for College Planning?
If you’re helping a high school student research colleges, you’ve probably run into a lot of promotional language: small class sizes, holistic admissions, vibrant campus life. But when it’s time to move from broad impressions to specific, strategic choices, there’s one underused tool that can help: the Common Data Set (CDS).
The Common Data Set is a goldmine of clear, consistent, and comparable college data—and it’s one of the best-kept secrets in the college planning process.
What is the Common Data Set (CDS)?
The Common Data Set is a standardized report produced by colleges and universities each year. It provides detailed answers to frequently asked questions from families, counselors, and rankings organizations. Because nearly all accredited colleges participate, you can use it to directly compare schools in an apples-to-apples format.
Each school’s CDS includes data about:
- College admissions criteria (GPA, test scores, acceptance rates)
- Enrollment, demographics, and class size
- Most popular majors and degrees awarded
- Tuition, cost of attendance, and financial aid
- Student life, housing, and retention
- Graduation rates and transfer policies
It’s usually available as a PDF or Excel file on the college’s Institutional Research page. A simple Google search like “[College Name] Common Data Set” will usually get you there.
Why the Common Data Set Matters for College Planning
1. Transparency About What Colleges Really Value
The CDS tells you exactly what each school considers important in admissions—from GPA and test scores to extracurriculars and interviews. If a college lists class rank as “not considered,” you know you can take that off your worry list.
2. It Cuts Through Marketing Hype
Forget vague promises of “a holistic review.” The CDS gives you hard numbers: how many students were accepted, how many submitted test scores, and what those scores looked like.
3. Smarter College List Building
When students compare GPA ranges, test scores, and admit rates, they can confidently categorize schools as reach, match, or likely. This data-backed strategy helps prevent disappointment and ensures balance.
4. True Cost of Attendance
The CDS breaks down average financial aid awards and out-of-pocket costs. Want to know what percentage of students receive need-based aid or how much merit aid is given? It’s all in Section H.
How to Read the Common Data Set Without Getting Overwhelmed
Each CDS is organized into sections labeled A through J. You don’t have to read the entire document—just focus on the most relevant parts. Here’s where to look:
- Enrollment and Demographics
- Number of undergraduates
- In-state vs. out-of-state percentages
- Diversity stats
- First-Time, First-Year Admissions
- Mid-50% test scores (SAT/ACT)
- Admit rate by gender
- Factors considered in the application process
- Student Life
- Housing policies and percent of students living on campus
- Financial Aid
- Percent receiving aid, average award size, work-study availability
- Class Size & Faculty
- Student-faculty ratio
- Percent of classes with fewer than 20 students
Pro tip: Use CTRL+F (or Command+F) to search for keywords like “GPA,” “aid,” or “class size.”
Where to Find a College’s Common Data Set
Most colleges don’t link the CDS from their admissions page, but it’s publicly available. Search: “[College Name] Common Data Set site:.edu”
Examples:
- University of Washington CDS
- University of Colorado Boulder CDS
- Tufts University CDS
If you can’t find one, ask your school counselor or contact the admissions office.
How We Use the Common Data Set with Families
When we work with students—especially rising 9th and 10th graders—we use the CDS to:
- Reverse-engineer a college’s expectations (GPA, course rigor, testing, etc.)
- Build a four-year academic plan that aligns with a student’s goals
- Show how admissions decisions work in reality—not just in theory
- Help families identify colleges that are aspirational and ones that are achievable
- Start honest conversations about cost and value
The CDS gives students and families agency. They can stop guessing what matters and start planning with clarity.
Final Thoughts: Using the Common Data Set as a Power Tool
It’s one of the most powerful, practical tools available to students and families navigating college admissions. It replaces rumors with facts, guesswork with strategy, and anxiety with direction.
If your teen has a dream school but says, “I don’t know where to start,” the CDS is where we begin.
Want help interpreting a Common Data Set or using it to plan your student’s path? Schedule a free consultation or reach out—we’re here to guide the journey with data, heart, and a clear map forward.
How to Use the Common Data Set (Step-by-Step)
Step 1: Understand What the CDS Is
The Common Data Set is a standardized report that nearly every college publishes each year. It includes detailed info about:
- Admissions data (acceptance rate, GPA, test scores)
- Academic offerings
- Financial aid and scholarships
- Student demographics
- What matters most in admissions decisions
Think of it as the fine print behind college websites and brochures. It tells you what’s really going on.
Step 2: Find a College’s Common Data Set
To find the CDS for a specific school:
- Go to Google
- Search: “University of [School Name] Common Data Set 2024-2025” (Use the most recent year available.)
- Look for a link ending in .pdf or hosted on an .edu site
Example search: University of Washington Common Data Set 2024-2025
If you don’t see it on the first page of results, try searching “[College Name] Institutional Research site”
Step 3: Know What to Look For
Here’s where to go in the CDS and why it matters:
First-Year Admissions: This is gold for backward planning. You can compare your stats to those of admitted students and plan accordingly.
- Acceptance Rate
- GPA Ranges
- Test Scores (SAT/ACT)
- What’s “Very Important” vs. “Considered”
Financial Aid: Helps families understand whether a school is generous with aid—or not.
- Average need-based aid
- % of students receiving merit scholarships
- What kind of aid is available
Enrollment by Major: Gives you insight into whether a program is competitive or crowded.
- Total enrollment
- Majors with the most students
Section D – Transfers
- Useful if you’re considering transferring later (like from a community college or between 4-year schools)
Why This Matters for College Planning
When families start with the CDS, they:
- Get clear, unbiased info straight from the source
- Set realistic targets based on actual data—not rumors
- Learn how to build a balanced college list
- Understand how to strategically present themselves in applications
Bonus: Questions to Ask After Reading a CDS
- Am I in range academically for this school?
- Is this school a “reach,” “target,” or “likely” for me?
- What are they valuing in admissions?
- Do they give merit aid, and how much?
Resources to Explore the Common Data Set (CDS)
- IPEDS College Navigator (U.S. Dept. of Education): A great tool to view CDS-style data across U.S. colleges in an easy-to-use interface
Call to Action
Want help interpreting the Common Data Set for your student? This is one of our favorite tools when we start working with families. Let’s demystify the process—together.
