Higher Education: Institutions' Reported Data Collection Burden Is Higher than Estimated but Can Be Reduced through Increased Coordination. Report to Congressional Committees. GAO-10-871

Overview & Synopsis

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) is the federal government's core postsecondary data collection program. Approximately 6,800 postsecondary schools are required to complete annual IPEDS surveys on topics including enrollment, graduation rates, and finances. As policymakers have sought additional data to increase accountability in postsecondary education, the number and complexity of questions on the IPEDS surveys have increased. GAO (Government Accountability Office) was mandated to examine: (1) the time and cost burden for schools completing the IPEDS surveys, (2) options for reducing this burden, and (3) the potential benefits and challenges of collecting additional graduation rate data. To do this, GAO interviewed staff from 22 postsecondary schools, reviewed existing estimates of the IPEDS time and cost burden, interviewed officials at the Department of Education (Education) and Office of Management and Budget, and interviewed higher education associations and higher education software providers. GAO recommends that Education reevaluate official IPEDS burden estimates, communicate IPEDS training opportunities to a wider range of schools, and coordinate with education software providers to help improve the quality and reliability of IPEDS reporting features. Education agreed with GAO's recommendations and plans to address these issues. Appendices include: (1) Objectives, Scope, and Methodology; (2) Comments from the Department of Education; and (3) GAO Contact and Staff Acknowledgments. (Contains 4 tables, 5 figures, and 29 footnotes.)