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Data Catalog
IAS collects, tabulates and distributes a wide variety of data for internal and external purposes. For this website, data is defined as numbers or text that are not part of a written report or article. If you are looking for analyses of data or data that is accompanied by written explanation, you must go to Reports. Data is presented in various formats -- tables, web pages, documents, and databases. Some data can be accessed interactively over the web, some is available for download and some can be requested through Data Support.
Two broad categories of data are distinguished by their source. One is institutional data, collected from the University's mainframe computer systems -- ISIS, Human Resources, Facilities, Financial Accounting, and Sponsored Programs. The other is assessment data, collected from surveys, student learning assessments, and other sources.
Institutional Data
Institutional data is produced primarily by experienced and specialized SAS mainframe programmers. A vast array of institutional data is public and available through this website. This data is organized in four sections:
- Historical Data presents University institutional data over time, in the following areas: admission, degree, employees, enrollment, GPA, graduation rate, tuition and fees.
- The Data Digest presents the most frequently requested information about the University: history, admission, enrollment, academic progress of undergraduates, student fees and expenses, student financial aid, student housing, degree, alumni, employees, finance, libraries, facilities and hospitals.
- The Common Data Set
is an annual representation of the University of Virginia using
definitions and methods originally proposed by a consortium of
publishers and data providers
(see http://www.commondataset.org/).
This data is used primarily by the educational community and by college-guide publications, and contains the following: address information, enrollment, first-time, first-year admission and transfer admission figures, academic offerings, student life, annual expenses, financial aid, instructional faculty, class size, and degrees conferred. - Enrollment projections are approved by the Board of Visitors biennially in the spring of odd numbered years. They are also submitted to and approved by SCHEV. Both documents are presented here.
Much of the institutional data IAS produces is at the request of individual department chairs, deans or administrators and is not available through this website. If you cannot find the data you are looking for, or if you have a custom request for institutional data, please visit our Data Support section and fill out a web form. Administrators or faculty with a regular need for custom reports may be eligible to gain access to IAS' SAS Internet Query System, which allows authorized users to run their own, predefined reports. This system is available by special request only and must have the approval of the Director. In addition, the user must have a mainframe identification number and have undergone ISIS training.
Assessment Data
Assessment Data is gathered and catalogued in various formats. Much of this is survey data, collected by IAS survey researchers as well as external agencies. Other types of data, i.e. test scores for the University's SCHEV-mandated competency testing program, are compiled for assessment purposes. For this website, assessment data is organized into three sections:
- Survey data: IAS conducts its own surveys and assists outside agencies with surveys of faculty, current students, alumni, and other special constituencies. To learn more about IAS surveys, or to take a survey, go to the Surveys section of this site. If you need assistance with a survey, or the interpretation of survey results, please visit our Data Support section and fill out a web form. Some survey data is available to the public in table or other formats from this site, while other data will need to be requested through our Data Support section. The SPSS files in which the survey data is stored may be available for downloading in some circumstances. Survey specialists and researchers have written a number of reports analyzing survey results about the University. For the most recent articles, please visit our News section of the website. Other reports analyzing survey data may be found in our Reports section.
- Program Review data: Two types of data are collected for Program Review. The first is historical data, gathered from the University's mainframe computers. Reported for the previous five years, historical data includes comparisons with other departments undergoing program review at the same time, other schools within the University, and, in some instances, with peer institutions. The second type of Program Review data is gathered from Program Review surveys of faculty, current students, and alumni.
- Other assessment data is gathered by IAS for various purposes, including the State Council of Higher Education's Reports of Institutional Effectiveness (ROIE). Assessment data is also collected and tabulated for individual schools, programs, and administrative units.