The Common Data Set (CDS) 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." (commondataset.org)

CDS contains data organized in the following sections:

1. General Information
2. Enrollment & Persistence
3. First-Time, First-Year (Freshman) Admission
4. Transfer Admission
5. Academic Offerings and Policies
6. Student Life
7. Annual Expenses
8. Financial Aid
9. Instructional Faculty and Class Size
10. Disciplinary Areas of Degrees Offered