Common Data Set

Simmons University 2020-2021

The Common Data Set (CDS) initiative 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.

A1 - Address Information  
Name of College/University: Simmons University
Mailing Address: 300 The Fenway
City/State/Zip/Country: Boston, MA 02115 USA
Street Address (if different):  
City/State/Zip/Country:  
Main Phone Number: (617) 521-2000
WWW Home Page Address: www.simmons.edu
Admissions Phone Number: (617) 521-2051
Admissions Toll-Free Phone Number:  
Admissions Office Mailing Address: 300 The Fenway
City/State/Zip/Country: Boston, MA 02115 USA
Admissions Fax Number:  
Admissions E-mail Address: [email protected]
If there is a separate URL for your school’s online application, please specify: https://engage.simmons.edu/apply/?sr=3c325d57-1cc5-4998-9a18-574dd4412bd0
If you have a mailing address other than the above to which applications should be sent, please provide:  

A2 - Source of institutional control (Check only one):  
Public  
Private (nonprofit)
Proprietary  

A3 - Classify your undergraduate institution:  
Coeducational college  
Men's college  
Women's college

A4 - Academic year calendar: If your academic year has changed because of the COVID-19 pandemic, please indicate as other below.
Semester
Quarter  
Trimester  
4-1-4  
Continuous  
Differs by program (describe):  
Other (describe):  

A5 - Degrees offered by your institution:  
Certificate  
Diploma  
Associate  
Transfer Associate  
Terminal Associate  
Bachelor's
Postbachelor's certificate  
Master's
Post-master's certificate
Doctoral degree research/scholarship
Doctoral degree – professional practice
Doctoral degree -- other  

B1 - Institutional Enrollment - Men and Women

Provide numbers of students for each of the following categories as of the institution's official fall reporting date or as of October 15, 2020.

  • Note: Report students formerly designated as "first professional" in the graduate cells. For information on reporting study abroad students please see this link.
Undergraduates Full-Time Men Full-Time Women Part-Time Men Part-Time Women
Degree-seeking, first-time freshmen 0 442 0 4
Other first-year, degree-seeking 0 35 0 3
All other degree-seeking 0 1,130 0 117
Total degree-seeking 0 1,607 0 124
All other undergraduates enrolled in credit courses 0 2 0 11
Total undergraduates 0 1,609 0 135
Graduate Full-Time Men Full-Time Women Part-Time Men Part-Time Women
Degree-seeking, first-time 44 381 82 727
All other degree-seeking 157 959 231 1971
All other graduates enrolled in credit courses 0 1 10 57
Total graduate 201 1341 323 2755
Total all students 201 2,950 323 2,890
Total all undergraduates 1,744
Total all graduate 4620
GRAND TOTAL ALL STUDENTS 6,364

B2 - Enrollment by Racial/Ethnic Category

Provide numbers of undergraduate students for each of the following categories as of the institution's official fall reporting date or as of October 15, 2020.

  • Include international students only in the category "Nonresident aliens."
  • Complete the "Total Undergraduates" column only if you cannot provide data for the first two columns.
  • Report as your institution reports to IPEDS: persons who are Hispanic should be reported only on the Hispanic line, not under any race, and persons who are non-Hispanic multi-racial should be reported only under "Two or more races."
  Degree-Seeking
First-Time
First Year
Degree-Seeking
Undergraduates (include first-time first-year)
Total Undergraduates
(both degree- and non-degree-seeking)
Nonresident aliens 19 88 88
Hispanic/Latino 89 202 202
Black or African American, non-Hispanic 47 132 132
White, non-Hispanic 198 994 1,005
American Indian or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic 0 1 1
Asian, non-Hispanic 67 206 206
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic 0 0 0
Two or more races, non-Hispanic 20 69 69
Race and/or ethnicity unknown 6 39 41
TOTAL 446 1,731 1,744

B3 - Persistence

Number of degrees awarded by your institution from July 1, 2019, to June 30, 2020.  
Certificate/diploma  
Associate degrees  
Bachelor's degrees 512
Postbachelor's certificates  
Master's degrees 1679
Post-Master's certificates 52
Doctoral degrees – research/scholarship  
Doctoral degrees – professional practice 58
Doctoral degrees – other  

B4-B21: Graduation Rates

The items in this section correspond to data elements collected by the IPEDS Web-based Data Collection System's Graduation Rate Survey (GRS).

In the following section for bachelor's or equivalent programs, please disaggregate the Fall 2013 and Fall 2014 cohorts (formerly CDS B4-B11) into four groups:

  • Students who received a Federal Pell Grant*
  • Recipients of a subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant
  • Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan
  • Total (all students, regardless of Pell Grant or subsidized loan status)

*Students who received both a Federal Pell Grant and a subsidized Stafford Loan should be reported in the "Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant" column.

For each graduation rate grid below, the numbers in the first three columns for Questions A-G should sum to the cohort total in the fourth column (formerly CDS B4-B11).

For Bachelor's or Equivalent Programs

Please provide data for the Fall 2014 cohort if available. If Fall 2014 cohort data are not available, provide data for the Fall 2013 cohort.

Fall 2014 Cohort

    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan Total
(sum of 3 columns to the left)
A Initial 2014 cohort of first-time, full-time, bachelor's (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students 77 134 92 303
B Of the initial 2014 cohort, how many did not persist and did not graduate for the following reasons:
  • Deceased
  • Permanently Disabled
  • Armed Forces
  • Foreign Aid Service of the Federal Government
  • Official church missions
  • Report Total Allowable Exclusions
0 0 0 0
C Final 2014 cohort, after adjusting for allowable exclusions 77 134 92 303
D Of the initial 2014 cohort, how many completed the program in four years or less (by Aug. 31, 2018) 55 108 66 229
E Of the initial 2014 cohort, how many completed the program in more than four years but in five years or less (after Aug. 31, 2018 and by Aug. 31, 2019) 2 5 4 11
F Of the initial 2014 cohort, how many completed the program in more than five years but in six years or less (after Aug. 31, 2019 and by Aug. 31, 2020) 0 0 0 0
G Total graduating within six years (sum of lines D, E, and F) 57 113 70 240
H Six-year graduation rate for 2014 cohort (G divided by C) 74% 84% 76% 79%

Fall 2013 Cohort

    Recipients of a Federal Pell Grant Recipients of a Subsidized Stafford Loan who did not receive a Pell Grant Students who did not receive either a Pell Grant or a subsidized Stafford Loan Total
(sum of 3 columns to the left)
A Initial 2013 cohort of first-time, full-time, bachelor's (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students 96 123 120 339
B Of the initial 2013 cohort, how many did not persist and did not graduate for the following reasons:
  • Deceased
  • Permanently Disabled
  • Armed Forces
  • Foreign Aid Service of the Federal Government
  • Official church missions
  • Report Total Allowable Exclusions
0 0 0 0
C Final 2013 cohort, after adjusting for allowable exclusions 96 123 120 339
D Of the initial 2013 cohort, how many completed the program in four years or less (by Aug. 31, 2017) 69 94 81 244
E Of the initial 2013 cohort, how many completed the program in more than four years but in five years or less (after Aug. 31, 2017 and by Aug. 31, 2018) 7 9 9 25
F Of the initial 2013 cohort, how many completed the program in more than five years but in six years or less (after Aug. 31, 2018 and by Aug. 31, 2019) 1 2 1 4
G Total graduating within six years (sum of lines D, E, and F) 77 105 91 273
H Six-year graduation rate for 2013 cohort (G divided by C) 80% 85% 76% 81%
B21 Total transfers to four-year institutions:        

B22. Retention Rates

Report for the cohort of all full-time, first-time bachelor's (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered in Fall 2019 (or the preceding summer term).

The initial cohort may be adjusted for students who departed for the following reasons:

  • Death
  • Permanent Disability
  • Service in the armed forces
  • Foreign aid service of the federal government
  • Official church missions
  • No other adjustments to the initial cohort should be made.
B22 For the cohort of all full-time bachelor's (or equivalent) degree-seeking undergraduate students who entered your institution as freshmen in Fall 2019 (or the preceding summer term), what percentage was enrolled at your institution as of the date your institution calculates its official enrollment in Fall 2020. 83.00%

C1-C2: Applications

C1

Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who applied 0
Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who applied 2905
Total first-time, first-year (freshman) men who were admitted 0
Total first-time, first-year (freshman) women who were admitted 2398
Total full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) men who enrolled 0
Total part-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) men who enrolled 0
Total full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) women who enrolled 451
Total part-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) women who enrolled 0
C2 - Freshman wait-listed students

Students who met admission requirements but whose final admission was contingent on space availability

  Yes No
Do you have a policy of placing students on a waiting list? X

If yes, please answer the questions below for Fall 2020 admissions:

WAITING LIST TOTAL
Number of qualified applicants offered a place on waiting list: N/A
Number accepting a place on the waiting list: N/A
Number of wait-listed students admitted: N/A
Is your waiting list ranked? Yes No
If yes, do you release that information to students? N/A
Do you release that information to school counselors? N/A

C3-C5: Admission Requirements

C3 - High school completion requirement

Check the appropriate box to identify your high school completion requirement for degree-seeking entering students:

High school diploma is required and GED is accepted X
High school diploma is required and GED is not accepted  
High school diploma or equivalent is not required  

C4 - Does your institution require or recommend a general college-preparatory program for degree-seeking students?

Require  
Recommend  
Neither require nor recommend X

C5 - Distribution of high school units required and/or recommended

Specify the distribution of academic high school course units required and/or recommended of all or most degree-seeking students using Carnegie units (one unit equals one year of study or its equivalent). If you use a different system for calculating units, please convert.

UnitsRequired Units Recommended
Total academic units 20
English 4
Mathematics 4
Science 3
Of these, units that must be
lab
Foreign language 3
Social studies 3
History 3
Academic electives  
Computer Science  
Visual/Performing Arts  
Other (specify)  

C6-C7: Basis for Selection

C6 - Do you have an open admission policy, under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with GED equivalency diplomas are admitted without regard to academic record, test scores, or other qualifications? If so, check which applies:

  Open admission policy as described above for all students
  Open admission policy as described above for most students, but - selective admission for out-of-state students
  Open admission policy as described above for most students, but - selective admission to some programs
  other (explain):

C7 - Relative importance of each of the following academic and nonacademic factors in your first-time, first-year, degree-seeking (freshman) admission decisions.

ACADEMIC Very Important Important Considered Not Considered
Rigor of secondary school record x      
Class rank x      
Academic GPA x      
Standardized test scores x      
Application Essay x      
Recommendation(s) x      
NONACADEMIC Very Important Important Considered Not Considered
Interview     x  
Extracurricular activities   x    
Talent/ability       x
Character/personal qualities       x
First generation       x
Alumni/ae relation       x
Geographical residence       x
State residency       x
Religious affiliation/commitment       x
Racial/ethnic status       x
Volunteer work     x  
Work experience     x  
Level of applicant's interest       x

C8: SAT and ACT Policies

Entrance exams

  Yes No
Does your institution make use of SAT, ACT, or SAT Subject Test scores in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants? x

C8A - If yes, place check marks in the appropriate boxes below to reflect your institution's policies for use in admission for Fall 2022.

ADMISSION Require Recommend Require for Some Consider if Submitted Not Used
SAT or ACT       x  
ACT Only       x  
SAT Only       x  
SAT and SAT Subject Tests or ACT       x  
SAT Subject Tests       x  

C8B - If your institution will make use of the ACT in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants for Fall 2022 please indicate which ONE of the following applies (regardless of whether the writing score will be used in the admissions process):

ACT with writing required  
ACT with writing recommended  
ACT with or without writing accepted x

C8B - If your institution will make use of the SAT in admission decisions for first-time, first-year, degree-seeking applicants for Fall 2022 please indicate which ONE of the following applies (regardless of whether the Essay score will be used in the admissions process):

SAT with Essay component required  
SAT with Essay component recommended  
SAT with or without Essay component accepted x

C8C - Please indicate how your institution will use the SAT or ACT essay component; check all that apply.

  SAT essay ACT essay
For admission    
For placement    
For advising x x
In place of an application essay    
As a validity check on the application process    
No college policy as of now    
Not using essay component    

C8D - In addition, does your institution use applicants' test scores for academic advising?

Yes x
No  

C8E

Latest date by which SAT or ACT scores must be received for fall-term admission 11/1, 12/1, 2/1
Latest date by which SAT Subject Test scores must be received for fall-term admission 11/1, 12/1, 2/1

C8F - If necessary, use this space to clarify your test policies (e.g., if tests are recommended for some students, or if tests are not required of some students):

For entry in Fall 2021, Simmons University is test optional for all undergraduate programs. This is just for the Fall 2021 term. A discission on all future terms will be made in the summer of 2021.

C8G Please indicate which tests your institution uses for placement (e.g., state tests):

SAT x
ACT x
SAT Subject Tests x
AP  
CLEP  
Institutional Exam  
State Exam (specify):  

C9-C12: Freshman Profile

Provide information for ALL enrolled, degree-seeking, full-time and part-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) students enrolled in Fall 2020, including students who began studies during summer, international students/nonresident aliens, and students admitted under special arrangements.

C9 - Percent and number of first-time, first-year (freshman) students enrolled in Fall 2020 who submitted national standardized (SAT/ACT) test scores.

  Percent Number
Submitting SAT Scores 89% 401
Submitting ACT Scores 11% 50

For each assessment listed below, report the score that represents the 25th percentile (the score that 25 percent of the freshman population scored at or below) and the 75th percentile score (the score that 25 percent scored at or above).

Assessment 25th Percentile 75th Percentile
SAT Composite 1080 1250
SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 540 640
SAT Math 520 610
ACT Composite 24 29
ACT Math 19 27
ACT English 23 29
ACT Writing 8 9

Percent of first-time, first-year (freshman) students with scores in each range:

Score Range SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing SAT Math
700-800 8.48% 4.49%
600-699 39.40% 30.42%
500-599 42.89% 53.37%
400-499 9.23% 11.72%
300-399 0.00% 0.00%
200-299 0.00% 0.00%
Totals should = 100% 100.00% 100.00%
Score Range SAT Composite
1400-1600 2.24%
1200-1399 36.16%
1000-1199 53.62%
800-999 7.48%
600-799 0
400-599 0
Totals should = 100% 100%
Score Range ACT Composite ACT English ACT Math
30-36 18.57% 25.71% 7.14%
24-29 58.57% 42.86% 47.14%
18-23 20.00% 24.29% 32.86%
12-17 2.86% 5.71% 12.86%
6-11 0.00% 1.43% 0.00%
Below 6 0.00% 0.00%
Totals should = 100% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

C10 - Percent of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who had high school class rank within each of the following ranges (report information for those students from whom you collected high school rank information)

Assessment Percent  
Percent in top tenth of high school graduating class 29%  
Percent in top quarter of high school graduating class 55%  
Percent in top half of high school graduating class 72% Top half +
Percent in bottom half of high school graduating class 28% bottom half = 100%
Percent in bottom quarter of high school graduating class 1'%  
Percent of total first-time, first-year (freshmen) students who submitted high school class rank: 49%  

C11 - Percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who had high school grade-point averages within each of the following ranges (using 4.0 scale). Report information only for those students from whom you collected high school GPA.

Score Range Percent
Percent who had GPA of 4.0 26.22%
Percent who had GPA between 3.75 and 3.99 18.22%
Percent who had GPA between 3.50 and 3.74 23.11%
Percent who had GPA between 3.25 and 3.49 17.11%
Percent who had GPA between 3.00 and 3.24 8.00%
Percent who had GPA between 2.50 and 2.99 6.67%
Percent who had GPA between 2.0 and 2.49 0.67%
Percent who had GPA between 1.0 and 1.99 0.00%
Percent who had GPA below 1.0 0.00%
Totals should = 100% 100.00%

C12

Average high school GPA of all degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted GPA: 3.69
Percent of total first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted high school GPA: 100.00%

C13-C20: Admission Policies

C13 - Application Fee

If your institution has waived its application fee for the Fall 2021 admission cycle please select no.

  Yes No
Does your institution have an application fee? x  
Amount of application fee: 55  
  Yes No
Can it be waived for applicants with financial need? x  

If you have an application fee and an on-line application option, please indicate policy for students who apply on-line:

Same fee Free Reduced
  x  
  Yes No
Can on-line application fee be waived for applicants with financial need? x  

C14 - Application closing date

  Yes No
Does your institution have an application closing date?   x
  Date
Application closing date (fall)  
Priority Date  

C15 - Are first-time, first-year students accepted for terms other than the fall?

Yes No
x  

C16 - Notification to applicants of admission decision sent (fill in one only)

x On a rolling basis beginning (date): 15-Dec
  By (date):  
  Other:  

C17 - Reply policy for admitted applicants (fill in one only)

x Must reply by (date):  1-May  
  No set date    
  Must reply by May 1st or within    weeks if notified thereafter
  Other:    
  Yes, in full Yes, in part No
Refundable if student does not enroll?     x

C18 - Deferred admission

  Yes No
Does your institution allow students to postpone enrollment after admission? x  
If yes, maximum period of postponement: 1 year    

C19 - Early admission of high school students

  Yes No
Does your institution allow high school students to enroll as full-time, first-time, first-year (freshman) students one year or more before high school graduation?   x

C20 - Common Application

Question removed from CDS. (Initiated during 2006-2007 cycle)


C21-C22: Early Decision and Early Action Plans

C21 - Early Decision

  Yes No
Does your institution offer an early decision plan (an admission plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date and that asks students to commit to attending if accepted) for first-time, first-year (freshman) applicants for fall enrollment?   x
If 'yes,' please complete the following:  
First or only early decision plan closing date  
First or only early decision plan notification date  
Other early decision plan closing date  
Other early decision plan notification date  
For the Fall 2020 entering class:  
Number of early decision applications received by your institution  
Number of applicants admitted under early decision plan  
Please provide significant details about your early decision plan:  

C22 - Early action

  Yes No
Do you have a nonbinding early action plan whereby students are notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification date but do not have to commit to attending your college? x  
If 'yes,' please complete the following:  
Early action closing date 11/1, 12/1
Early action notification date 12/15, 1/15
  Yes No
Is your early action plan a 'restrictive' plan under which you limit students from applying to other early plans?   x
  • Include information for ALL enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first-year (freshman) students who submitted test scores.
  • Do not include partial test scores (e.g., mathematics scores but not critical reading for a category of students) or combine other standardized test results (such as TOEFL) in this item.
  • Do not convert SAT scores to ACT scores and vice versa.
  • If a student submitted multiple sets of scores for a single test, report this information according to how you use the data. For example:
    • If you consider the highest scores from either submission, use the highest combination of scores (e.g., verbal from one submission, math from the other).
    • If you average the scores, use the average to report the scores.
    • Deadline for housing deposit (MMDD): 1-May
    • Amount of housing deposit: 250

D1-D2: Fall Applicants

D1

 YesNo
Does your institution enroll transfer students? (If no, please skip to Section E)X 
If yes, may transfer students earn advanced standing credit by transferring credits earned from course work completed at other colleges/universities?X 

D2 - Provide the number of students who applied, were admitted, and enrolled as degree-seeking transfer students in Fall 2020.

 ApplicantsAdmitted ApplicantsEnrolled Applicants
Men000
Women014147
Total014147

D3-D11: Application for Admission

D3 - Indicate terms for which transfers may enroll:

FallX
Winter 
SpringX
SummerX
D4YesNo
Must a transfer applicant have a minimum number of credits completed or else must apply as an entering freshman?X 
If yes, what is the minimum number of credits and the unit of measure?16 

D5 - Indicate all items required of transfer students to apply for admission:

 Required of AllRecommended of AllRecommended of SomeRequired of SomeNot Required
High school transcriptX    
College transcript(s)X    
Essay or personal statementX    
Interview    X
Standardized test scores    X For Fall 2021 only
Statement of good standing from prior institution(s)    X
D6If a minimum high school grade point average is required of transfer applicants, specify (on a 4.0 scale):3.00 recommended
D7If a minimum college grade point average is required of transfer applicants, specify (on a 4.0 scale):3.00 recommended
D8List any other application requirements specific to transfer applicants: 

D9 - List application priority, closing, notification, and candidate reply dates for transfer students. If applications are reviewed on a continuous or rolling basis, place a check mark in the "Rolling admission" column.

 Priority DateClosing DateNotification DateReply DateRolling Admission
Fall6/18/31/rolling2 wks after adm 
Winter     
Spring11/11/5rolling2 wks after adm 
Summer4/15/10rolling2 wks after adm 
D10YesNo
Does an open admission policy, if reported, apply to transfer students? X
D11Describe additional requirements for transfer admission, if applicable:  

D12-D17: Transfer Credit Policies

D12Report the lowest grade earned for any course that may be transferred for credit:2.00
 NumberUnit Type
D13 - Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a two-year institution:80credits
D14 - Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred from a four-year institution:80credits
D15Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn an associate degree:N/A
D16Minimum number of credits that transfers must complete at your institution to earn a bachelor’s degree:43.00
D17Describe other transfer credit policies: 

D18-D22: Military Service Transfer Credit Policies

D18 - Does your institution accept the following military/veteran transfer credits:

 YesNo
American Council on Education (ACE)X 
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)X 
DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)X 
 NumberUnit Type
D19 - Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on military education evaluated by the American Council on Education (ACE):80 
D20 - Maximum number of credits or courses that may be transferred based on Department of Defense supported prior learning assessments (College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or DANTES Subject Standardized Tests (DSST)):80 
D21YesNo
Are the military/veteran credit transfer policies published on your website?X 

If yes, please provide the URL where the policy can be located: https://www.simmons.edu/student-life/student-support-resources/veterans

D22 - Describe other military/veteran transfer credit policies unique to your institution:

E1 Special study options

Identify those programs available at your institution. Refer to the glossary for definitions.

   
   
x Accelerated program
  Cooperative education program
x Cross-registration
x Distance learning
x Double major
  Dual enrollment
  English as a Second Language (ESL)
x Exchange student program (domestic)
  External degree program
x Honors Program
x Independent study
x Internships
x Liberal arts/career combination
x Student-designed major
x Study abroad
x Teacher certification program
  Weekend college
  Other (specify):

E2 Has been removed from the CDS.

E3 - Areas in which all or most students are required to complete some course work prior to graduation:

  Arts/fine arts
  Computer literacy
  English (including composition)
x Foreign languages
  History
  Humanities
  Mathematics
  Philosophy
  Sciences (biological or physical)
  Social science
x Other (describe):

Students must take one course from four key content areas (aesthetic, literary and artistic; global cultural; scientific inquiry; social and historical); and one quantitative literacy course. All of which could be split among any of the departments.

F1 - Percentages of first-time, first-year (freshman) degree-seeking students and degree-seeking undergraduates enrolled in Fall 2020 who fit the following categories:

  First-time, first-year (freshman) students All Undergraduates
Percent who are from out of state (exclude international/nonresident aliens from the numerator and denominator) 37% 37%
Percent of men who join fraternities 0% 0%
Percent of women who join sororities 0% 0%
Percent who live in college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing 3% 5%
Percent who live off campus or commute 97% 95%
Percent of students age 25 and older 0% 8%
Average age of full-time students 18 20
Average age of all students (full- and part-time) 18 21

F2 - Activities offered. Identify those programs available at your institution.

X Campus Ministries
X Choral groups
X Concert band
X Dance
X Drama/theater
X International Student Organization
X Jazz band
X Literary magazine
  Marching band
X Model UN
X Music ensembles
X Musical theater
  Opera
  Pep band
X Radio station
X Student government
X Student newspaper
  Student-run film society
X Symphony orchestra
  Television station
X Yearbook

F3 - ROTC (program offered in cooperation with Reserve Officers' Training Corps)

  On Campus At Cooperating Institution Name of Cooperating Institution
Army ROTC is offered:   X Boston University
Naval ROTC is offered:      
Air Force ROTC is offered:      

F4 - Housing: Check all types of college-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing available for undergraduates at your institution.

  Coed dorms
  Men's dorms
X Women's dorms
  Apartments for married students
  Apartments for single students
X Special housing for disabled students
  Special housing for international students
  Fraternity/sorority housing
  Cooperative housing
  Theme housing
X Wellness housing
  Other housing options (specify):

G0

Please provide the URL of your institution's net price calculator: https://collegecostcalculator.org/simmons.

Provide 2021-2022 academic year costs of attendance for the following categories that are applicable to your institution.

X Check here if your institution's 2021-2022 academic year costs of attendance are not available at this time and provide an approximate date (i.e., month/day) when your institution's final 2021-2022 academic year costs of attendance will be available:

G1

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS First-Year Undergraduates
Tuition: $40,850 $40,850
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS First-Year Undergraduates
Tuition: In-district    
Tuition: In-state (out-of-district):    
Tuition: Out-of-state:    
Tuition: Non-resident alien    
FOR ALL INSTITUTIONS First-Year Undergraduates
Required Fees $974 $974
Room and Board (on-campus): $14,022 $14,022
Room Only (on-campus):    
Board Only (on-campus meal plan):    

Comprehensive tuition and room and board fee (if your college cannot provide separate tuition and room and board fees):

Other:

G2 Minimum Maximum
Number of credits per term a student can take for the stated full-time tuition. 12 18
    Minimum Maximum
G3 Do tuition and fees vary by year of study (e.g., sophomore, junior, senior)?   X
G4 Do tuition and fees vary by undergraduate instructional program? X  

If yes, what percentage of full-time undergraduates pay more than the tuition and fees reported in G1?

G5 - Provide the estimated expenses for a typical full-time undergraduate student:

  Residents Commuters
(living at home)
Commuters
(not living at home)
Books and supplies: $1,280 $1,280 $1,280
Room only:      
Board only:      
Room and board total*     $14,022
Transportation: $850 $850 $850
Other expenses: $1,700 $1,700 $1,700

* If your college cannot provide separate room and board figures for commuters not living at home

G6- Undergraduate per-credit-hour charges (tuition only):

PRIVATE INSTITUTIONS: $1,277.00    
PUBLIC INSTITUTIONS:
In-district:
In-state (out-of-district):
Out-of-state:
     
NONRESIDENT ALIENS: $1,277.00    

H1

  2020-2021 estimated 2019-2020 Final
Indicate the academic year for which data are reported for items H1, H2, H2A, and H6 below: X (as of 12/15/20)  
  Federal methodology (FM) Institutional methodology (IM) Both FM and IM
Which needs-analysis methodology does your institution use in awarding institutional aid? (Formerly H3) X    
Scholarships/Grants Need-based
(Include non-need-based aid use to meet need.)
Non-need-based
(Exclude non-need-based aid use to meet need.)
Federal $3,079,456 $0
State all states, not only the state in which your institution is located $527,356 $0
Institutional: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants, awarded by the college, excluding athletic aid and tuition waivers (which are reported below). $27,448,336 $11,467,896
Scholarships/grants from external sources (e.g. Kiwanis, National Merit) not awarded by the college $545,715 $108,944
Total Scholarships/Grants $31,600,864 $11,576,840
Self-Help Need-based
(Include non-need-based aid use to meet need.)
Non-need-based
(Exclude non-need-based aid use to meet need.)
Student loans from all sources (excluding parent loans) $3,596,817 $5,992,131
Federal Work-Study $1,807,192  
State and other (e.g., institutional) work-study/employment (Note: Excludes Federal Work-Study captured above.) $0 $0
Total Self-Help $5,404,009 $5,992,131
Parent Loans $0 $1,248,793
Tuition Waivers
Note: Reporting is optional. Report tuition waivers in this row if you choose to report them. Do not report tuition waivers elsewhere.
$11,200 $127,665
Athletic Awards $0 $0

H2 Number of Enrolled Students Awarded Aid

List the number of degree-seeking full-time and less-than-full-time undergraduates who applied for and were awarded financial aid from any source.

  • Aid that is non-need-based but that was used to meet need should be counted as need-based aid.
  • Numbers should reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1.
  • In the chart below, students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time freshmen should also be counted as full-time undergraduates.
  • Do NOT include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    First-time Full-time Freshmen Full-time Undergrad
(Incl. Fresh)
Less Than
Full-time
Undergrad
A Number of degree-seeking undergraduate students (CDS Item B1 if reporting on Fall 2020 cohort) 441 1609 134
B Number of students in line a who applied for need-based financial aid 422 1337 90
C Number of students in line b who were determined to have financial need 371 1156 83
D Number of students in line c who were awarded any financial aid 371 1155 83
E Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based scholarship or grant aid 371 1155 80
F Number of students in line d who were awarded any need-based self-help aid 295 909 72
G Number of students in line d who were awarded any non-need-based scholarship or grant aid 59 186 1
H Number of students in line d whose need was fully met (exclude PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) 97 289 4
I On average, the percentage of need that was met of students who were awarded any need-based aid. Exclude any aid that was awarded in excess of need as well as any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) 90.8% 84.0% 54.2%
J The average financial aid package of those in line d. Exclude any resources that were awarded to replace EFC (PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) $ 32,866 $ 30,076 $ 13,284
K Average need-based scholarship and grant award of those in line e $ 30,338 $ 26,467 $ 10,770
L Average need-based self-help award (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f $ 4,677 $ 5,633 $ 3,864
M Average need-based loan (excluding PLUS loans, unsubsidized loans, and private alternative loans) of those in line f who were awarded a need-based loan $ 2,652 $ 3,725 $ 2,860

H2A - Number of Enrolled Students Awarded Non-need-based Scholarships and Grants

List the number of degree-seeking full-time and less-than-full-time undergraduates who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid.

  • Numbers should reflect the cohort awarded the dollars reported in H1.
  • In the chart below, students may be counted in more than one row, and full-time freshmen should also be counted as full-time undergraduates.
  • Do NOT include any aid related to the CARES Act or unique to the COVID-19 pandemic.
    First-time
Full-time
Freshmen
Full-time
Undergrad
(Incl. Fresh.)
Less Than
Full-time
Undergrad
N Number of students in line a who had no financial need and who were awarded institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid (exclude those who were awarded athletic awards and tuition benefits) 67 424 6
O Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based scholarship and grant aid awarded to students in line n $ 24,345 $ 21,957 $ 16,220
P Number of students in line a who were awarded an institutional non-need-based athletic scholarship or grant      
Q Average dollar amount of institutional non-need-based athletic scholarships and grants awarded to students in line p      

Note: These are the graduates and loan types to include and exclude in order to fill out CDS H4 and H5.

  • Include:
    • 2020 undergraduate class: all students who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020.
    • Only loans made to students who borrowed while enrolled at your institution.
    • Co-signed loans.
  • Exclude
    • Students who transferred in.
    • Money borrowed at other institutions.
    • Parent loans
    • Students who did not graduate or who graduated with another degree or certificate (but no bachelor's degree).
    • Any aid related to the CARE Act or unique the COVID-19 pandemic.

H4

Provide the number of students in the 2020 undergraduate class who started at your institution as first-time students and received a bachelor's degree between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020. Exclude students who transferred into your institution. 329

H5 - Number and percent of students in class (defined in H4 above) borrowing from federal, non-federal, and any loan sources, and the average (or mean) amount borrowed.

  • The "Average per-undergraduate-borrower cumulative principal borrowed," is designed to provide better information about student borrowing from federal and nonfederal (institutional, state, commercial) sources.
  • The numbers, percentages, and averages for each row should be based only on the loan source specified for the particular row. For example, the federal loans average (row b) should only be the cumulative average of federal loans and the private loans average (row e) should only be the cumulative average of private loans.
  Source/Type of Loan Number in the class (defined in H4 above) who borrowed from the types of loans specified in the first column Percent of the class (defined above) who borrowed from the types of loans specified in the first column (nearest 1%) Average per-undergraduate-borrower cumulative principal borrowed from the types of loans specified in the first column (nearest $1)
A Any loan program: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized, institutional, state, private loans that your institution is aware of, etc. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans. 238 72.34% $34,973
B Federal loan programs: Federal Perkins, Federal Stafford Subsidized and Unsubsidized. Include both Federal Direct Student Loans and Federal Family Education Loans. 237 72.04% $23,706
C Institutional loan programs. 0 0.00% $0
D State loan programs. 0 0.00% $0
E Private student loans made by a bank or lender. 67 20.36% $40,378

Aid to Undergraduate Degree-seeking Nonresident Aliens

  • Report numbers and dollar amounts for the same academic year checked in item H1

H6 - Indicate your institution's policy regarding institutional scholarship and grant aid for undergraduate degree-seeking nonresident aliens:

Institutional need-based scholarship or grant aid is available  
Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available x
Institutional scholarship or grant aid is not available  
Institution's own financial aid form  
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE  
International Student's Financial Aid Application  
International Student's Certification of Finances  
Other (specify):  

Process for First-Year/Freshman Students

H8 - Check off all financial aid forms domestic first-year (freshman) financial aid applicants must submit:

FAFSA x
Institution's own financial aid form  
CSS/Financial Aid PROFILE  
State aid form  
Noncustodial PROFILE  
Business/Farm Supplement  
Other (specify):  

H9 - Indicate filing dates for first-year (freshman) students:

Priority date for filing required financial aid forms: 1-Dec
Deadline for filing required financial aid forms: 1-May
No deadline for filing required forms (applications processed on a rolling basis)  

H10 - Indicate notification dates for first-year (freshman) students (answer a or b):

a) Students notified on or about (date):   
b) Students notified on a rolling basis:  
Yes x
No  
If yes, starting date: 16-Dec

H11

Indicate reply dates:  
Students must reply by (date):  
or within _______ weeks of notification.  

Types of Aid Available

Please check off all types of aid available to undergraduates at your institution:

H12 - Loans

Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans X
Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans X
Direct PLUS Loans X
Federal Perkins Loans  
Federal Nursing Loans  
State Loans  
College/university loans from institutional funds X
Other (specify):  

H13 - Need Based Scholarships and Grants

Federal Pell X
SEOG X
State scholarships/grants X
Private scholarships X
College/university scholarship or grant aid from institutional funds X
United Negro College Fund  
Federal Nursing Scholarship  
Other (specify):  

H14 - Check off criteria used in awarding institutional aid. Check all that apply.

  Non-Need Based Need-Based
Academics X  
Alumni affiliation X  
Art  
Athletics  
Job skills  
ROTC  
Leadership  
Minority status  
Music/drama  
Religious affiliation  
State/district residency  

H15

If your institution has recently implemented any major financial aid policy, program, or initiative to make your institution more affordable to incoming students such as replacing loans with grants, or waiving costs for families below a certain income level please provide details below:

  Yes No
Are these policies related to the COVID-19 pandemic?    

I-1. - Please report the number of instructional faculty members in each category for Fall 2020.

Include faculty who are on your institution's payroll on the census date your institution uses for IPEDS/AAUP.

    Full-Time Part-Time Total
A Total number of instructional faculty 225 648 873
B Total number who are members of minority groups 53 125 178
C Total number who are women 166 587 753
D Total number who are men 59 61 120
E Total number who are nonresident aliens (international) 3 0 3
F Total number with doctorate, or other terminal degree 161 134 295
G Total number whose highest degree is a master's but not a terminal master's 46 264 310
H Total number whose highest degree is a bachelor's 1 21 22
I Total number whose highest degree is unknown or other (Note: Items f, g, h, and i must sum up to item a.) 17 229 246
J Total number in stand-alone graduate/professional programs in which faculty teach virtually only graduate-level students 21 227 248

Student to Faculty Ratio

Fall 2020 Student to Faculty ratio 9 to 1
(based on 3502 students and 392 faculty).

Undergraduate Class Size

Number of Class Sections with Undergraduates Enrolled

I-2 - Undergraduate Class Size (provide numbers)

  2-9 10-19 20-29 30-39 40-49 50-99 100+ Total
CLASS SECTIONS 64 171 123 40 18 1 0 417
CLASS SUB-SECTIONS 56 47 33 1 0 0 0 137

I-3

J1- Degrees conferred between July 1, 2019 and June 30, 2020

Category Diploma/Certificates Associate Bachelor's
Agriculture     0%
Natural resources and conservation     1%
Architecture      
Area, ethnic, and gender studies     0%
Communication/journalism     6%
Communication technologies      
Computer and information sciences     4%
Personal and culinary services      
Education      
Engineering      
Engineering technologies      
Foreign languages, literatures, and linguistics      
Family and consumer sciences     0%
Law/legal studies      
English     4%
Liberal arts/general studies      
Library science      
Biological/life sciences     7%
Mathematics and statistics     0%
Military science and military technologies      
Interdisciplinary studies     7%
Parks and recreation     8%
Philosophy and religious studies      
Theology and religious vocations      
Physical sciences     1%
Science technologies      
Psychology     4%
Homeland Security, law enforcement, firefighting, and protective services      
Public administration and social services     4%
Social sciences      5%
Construction trades      
Mechanic and repair technologies      
Precision production      
Transportation and materials moving      
Visual and performing arts     3%
Health professions and related programs     42%
Business/marketing     5%
History     1%
Other      
TOTAL (should = 100%) 0.00% 0.00% 100.00%

All definitions related to the financial aid section appear at the end of the Definitions document.

Items preceded by an asterisk (*) represent definitions agreed to among publishers which do not appear on the CDS document but may be present on individual publishers' surveys.

*Academic advisement: Plan under which each student is assigned to a faculty member or a trained adviser, who, through regular meetings, helps the student plan and implement immediate and long-term academic and vocational goals.

Accelerated program: Completion of a college program of study in fewer than the usual number of years, most often by attending summer sessions and carrying extra courses during the regular academic term.

Admitted student: Applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting program at your institution.

*Adult student services: Admission assistance, support, orientation, and other services expressly for adults who have started college for the first time, or who are re-entering after a lapse of a few years.

American Indian or Alaska Native: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of North and South America (including Central America) and maintaining tribal affiliation or community attachment.

Applicant (first-time, first year): An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has been notified of one of the following actions: admission, nonadmission, placement on waiting list, or application withdrawn (by applicant or institution).

Application fee: That amount of money that an institution charges for processing a student's application for acceptance. This amount is not creditable toward tuition and required fees, nor is it refundable if the student is not admitted to the institution.

Asian: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of the Far East, Southeast Asia, or the Indian subcontinent, including, for example, Cambodia, China, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Pakistan, the Philippine Islands, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Associate degree: An award that normally requires at least two but less than four years of full-time equivalent college work.

Bachelor's degree: An award (baccalaureate or equivalent degree, as determined by the Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education) that normally requires at least four years but not more than five years of full-time equivalent college-level work. This includes ALL bachelor's degrees conferred in a five-year cooperative (work-study plan) program. (A cooperative plan provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government; thus, it allows students to combine actual work experience with their college studies.) Also, it includes bachelor's degrees in which the normal four years of work are completed in three years.

Black or African American: A person having origins in any of the black racial groups of Africa.

Board (charges): Assume average cost for 19 meals per week or the maximum meal plan.

Books and supplies (costs): Average cost of books and supplies. Do not include unusual costs for special groups of students (e.g., engineering or art majors), unless they constitute the majority of students at your institution.

Calendar system: The method by which an institution structures most of its courses for the academic year.

Campus Ministry: Religious student organizations (denominational or nondenominational) devoted to fostering religious life on college campuses. May also refer to Campus Crusade for Christ, an interdenominational Christian organization.

*Career and placement services: A range of services, including (often) the following: coordination of visits of employers to campus; aptitude and vocational testing; interest inventories, personal counseling; help in resume writing, interviewing, launching the job search; listings for those students desiring employment and those seeking permanent positions; establishment of a permanent reference folder; career resource materials.

Carnegie units: One year of study or the equivalent in a secondary school subject.

Certificate: See Postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma.

Class rank: The relative numerical position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated by the high school on the basis of grade-point average, whether weighted or unweighted.

College-preparatory program: Courses in academic subjects (English, history and social studies, foreign languages, mathematics, science, and the arts) that stress preparation for college or university study.

Common Application: The standard application form distributed by the National Association of Secondary School Principals for a large number of private colleges who are members of the Common Application Group.

*Community service program: Referral center for students wishing to perform volunteer work in the community or participate in volunteer activities coordinated by academic departments.

Commuter: A student who lives off campus in housing that is not owned by, operated by, or affiliated with the college. This category includes students who commute from home and students who have moved to the area to attend college.

Clock hour: A unit of measure that represents an hour of scheduled instruction given to students. Also referred to as contact hour.

Continuous basis (for program enrollment): A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that enroll students at any time during the academic year. For example, a cosmetology school or a word processing school might allow students to enroll and begin studies at various times, with no requirement that classes begin on a certain date.

Cooperative education program: A program that provides for alternate class attendance and employment in business, industry, or government.

Cooperative housing: College-owned, -operated, or -affiliated housing in which students share room and board expenses and participate in household chores to reduce living expenses.

*Counseling service: Activities designed to assist students in making plans and decisions related to their education, career, or personal development.

Credit: Recognition of attendance or performance in an instructional activity (course or program) that can be applied by a recipient toward the requirements for a degree, diploma, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential.

Credit course: A course that, if successfully completed, can be applied toward the number of courses required for achieving a degree, diploma, certificate, or other recognized postsecondary credential.

Credit hour: A unit of measure representing an hour (50 minutes) of instruction over a 15-week period in a semester or trimester system or a 10-week period in a quarter system. It is applied toward the total number of hours needed for completing the requirements of a degree, diploma, certificate, or recognized postsecondary credential.

Cross-registration: A system whereby students enrolled at one institution may take courses at another institution without having to apply to the second institution.

Deferred admission: The practice of permitting admitted students to postpone enrollment, usually for a period of one academic term or one year.

Degree: An award conferred by a college, university, or other postsecondary education institution as official recognition for the successful completion of a program of studies.

Degree-seeking students: Students enrolled in courses for credit who are recognized by the institution as seeking a degree or recognized postsecondary credential. At the undergraduate level, this is intended to include students enrolled in vocational or occupational programs.

Differs by program (calendar system): A calendar system classification that is used by institutions that have occupational/vocational programs of varying length. These schools may enroll students at specific times depending on the program desired. For example, a school might offer a two-month program in January, March, May, September, and November; and a three-month program in January, April, and October.

Diploma: See Postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma.

Distance learning: An option for earning course credit at off-campus locations via cable television, internet, satellite classes, videotapes, correspondence courses, or other means.

Doctor's degree-research/scholarship: A Ph.D. or other doctor's degree that requires advanced work beyond the master's level, including the preparation and defense of a dissertation based on original research, or the planning and execution of an original project demonstrating substantial artistic or scholarly achievement. Some examples of this type of degree may include Ed.D., D.M.A., D.B.A., D.Sc., D.A., or D.M, and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

Doctor's degree-professional practice: A doctor's degree that is conferred upon completion of a program providing the knowledge and skills for the recognition, credential, or license required for professional practice. The degree is awarded after a period of study such that the total time to the degree, including both pre-professional and professional preparation, equals at least six full-time equivalent academic years. Some of these degrees were formerly classified as “first-professional” and may include: Chiropractic (D.C. or D.C.M.); Dentistry (D.D.S. or D.M.D.); Law (L.L.B. or J.D.); Medicine (M.D.); Optometry (O.D.); Osteopathic Medicine (D.O); Pharmacy (Pharm.D.); Podiatry (D.P.M., Pod.D., D.P.); or, Veterinary Medicine (D.V.M.), and others, as designated by the awarding institution.

Doctor's degree-other: A doctor's degree that does not meet the definition of a doctor's degree - research/scholarship or a doctor's degree - professional practice.

Double major: Program in which students may complete two undergraduate programs of study simultaneously.

Dual enrollment: A program through which high school students may enroll in college courses while still enrolled in high school. Students are not required to apply for admission to the college in order to participate.

Early action plan: An admission plan that allows students to apply and be notified of an admission decision well in advance of the regular notification dates. If admitted, the candidate is not committed to enroll; the student may reply to the offer under the college's regular reply policy.

Early admission: A policy under which students who have not completed high school are admitted and enroll full time in college, usually after completion of their junior year.

Early decision plan: A plan that permits students to apply and be notified of an admission decision (and financial aid offer if applicable) well in advance of the regular notification date. Applicants agree to accept an offer of admission and, if admitted, to withdraw their applications from other colleges. There are three possible decisions for early decision applicants: admitted, denied, or not admitted but forwarded for consideration with the regular applicant pool, without prejudice.

English as a Second Language (ESL): A course of study designed specifically for students whose native language is not English.

Exchange student program-domestic: Any arrangement between a student and a college that permits study for a semester or more at another college in the United States without extending the amount of time required for a degree. See also Study abroad.

External degree program: A program of study in which students earn credits toward a degree through independent study, college courses, proficiency examinations, and personal experience. External degree programs require minimal or no classroom attendance.

Extracurricular activities (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admissions process given for participation in both school and nonschool-related activities of interest to the college, such as clubs, hobbies, student government, athletics, performing arts, etc.

First-time student: A student attending any institution for the first time at the level enrolled. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended a postsecondary institution for the first time at the same level in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing (college credit earned before graduation from high school).

First-time, first-year (freshman) student: A student attending any institution for the first time at the undergraduate level. Includes students enrolled in the fall term who attended college for the first time in the prior summer term. Also includes students who entered with advanced standing (college credits earned before graduation from high school).

First-year student: A student who has completed less than the equivalent of 1 full year of undergraduate work; that is, less than 30 semester hours (in a 120-hour degree program) or less than 900 clock hours.

Freshman: A first-year undergraduate student.

*Freshman/new student orientation: Orientation addressing the academic, social, emotional, and intellectual issues involved in beginning college. May be a few hours or a few days in length; at some colleges, there is a fee.

Full-time student (undergraduate): A student enrolled for 12 or more semester credits, 12 or more quarter credits, or 24 or more clock hours a week each term.

Geographical residence (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admission process given to students from a particular region, state, or country of residence.

Grade-point average (academic high school GPA): The sum of grade points a student has earned in secondary school divided by the number of courses taken. The most common system of assigning numbers to grades counts four points for an A, three points for a B, two points for a C, one point for a D, and no points for an E or F. Unweighted GPA's assign the same weight to each course. Weighting gives students additional points for their grades in advanced or honors courses.

Graduate student: A student who holds a bachelor's or equivalent, and is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level.

*Health services: Free or low cost on-campus primary and preventive health care available to students.

High school diploma or recognized equivalent: A document certifying the successful completion of a prescribed secondary school program of studies, or the attainment of satisfactory scores on the Tests of General Educational Development (GED), or another state-specified examination.

Hispanic or Latino: A person of Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin, regardless of race.

Honors program: Any special program for very able students offering the opportunity for educational enrichment, independent study, acceleration, or some combination of these.

Independent study: Academic work chosen or designed by the student with the approval of the department concerned, under an instructor's supervision, and usually undertaken outside of the regular classroom structure.

In-state tuition: The tuition charged by institutions to those students who meet the state's or institution's residency requirements.

International student: See Nonresident alien.

International student group: Student groups that facilitate cultural dialogue, support a diverse campus, assist international students in acclimation and creating a social network. 

Internship: Any short-term, supervised work experience usually related to a student's major field, for which the student earns academic credit. The work can be full- or part-time, on- or off-campus, paid or unpaid.

*Learning center: Center offering assistance through tutors, workshops, computer programs, or audiovisual equipment in reading, writing, math, and skills such as taking notes, managing time, taking tests.

*Legal services: Free or low cost legal advice for a range of issues (personal and other).

Liberal arts/career combination: Program in which a student earns undergraduate degrees in two separate fields, one in a liberal arts major and the other in a professional or specialized major, whether on campus or through cross‑registration.

Master's degree: An award that requires the successful completion of a program of study of generally one or two full-time equivalent academic years of work beyond the bachelor's degree. Some of these degrees, such as those in Theology (M.Div., M.H.L./Rav) that were formerly classified as "first-professional", may require more than two full-time equivalent academic years of work.

Minority affiliation (as admission factor): Special consideration in the admission process for members of designated racial/ethnic minority groups.

*Minority student center: Center with programs, activities, and/or services intended to enhance the college experience of students of color.

Model United Nations: A simulation activity focusing on conflict resolution, globalization, and diplomacy. Assuming roles as foreign ambassadors and “delegates,” students conduct research, engage in debate, draft resolutions, and may participate in a national Model UN conference.

Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Hawaii, Guam, Samoa, or other Pacific Islands.

Nonresident alien: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis and does not have the right to remain indefinitely.

*On-campus day care: Licensed day care for students' children (usually age 3 and up); usually for a fee.

Open admission: Admission policy under which virtually all secondary school graduates or students with GED equivalency diplomas are admitted without regard to academic record, test scores, or other qualifications.

Other expenses (costs): Include average costs for clothing, laundry, entertainment, medical (if not a required fee), and furnishings.

Out-of-state tuition: The tuition charged by institutions to those students who do not meet the institution's or state's residency requirements.

Part-time student (undergraduate): A student enrolled for fewer than 12 credits per semester or quarter, or fewer than 24 clock hours a week each term.

*Personal counseling: One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals for students who want to explore personal, educational, or vocational issues.

Post-baccalaureate certificate: An award that requires completion of an organized program of study requiring 18 credit hours beyond the bachelor's; designed for persons who have completed a baccalaureate degree but do not meet the requirements of academic degrees carrying the title of master.

Post-master's certificate: An award that requires completion of an organized program of study of 24 credit hours beyond the master's degree but does not meet the requirements of academic degrees at the doctoral level.

Postsecondary award, certificate, or diploma: Includes the following three IPEDS definitions for postsecondary awards, certificates, and diplomas of varying durations and credit/contact/clock hour requirements:

Less Than 1 Academic Year: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in less than 1 academic year (2 semesters or 3 quarters) or in less than 900 clock hours by a student enrolled full-time.

At Least 1 But Less Than 2 Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 1 but less than 2 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 30 but less than 60 credit hours, or in at least 900 but less than 1,800 clock hours.

At Least 2 But Less Than 4 Academic Years: Requires completion of an organized program of study at the postsecondary level (below the baccalaureate degree) in at least 2 but less than 4 full-time equivalent academic years, or designed for completion in at least 60 but less than 120 credit hours, or in at least 1,800 but less than 3,600 clock hours.

Private institution: An educational institution controlled by a private individual(s) or by a nongovernmental agency, usually supported primarily by other than public funds, and operated by other than publicly elected or appointed officials.

Private for-profit institution: A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives compensation, other than wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk.

Private nonprofit institution: A private institution in which the individual(s) or agency in control receives no compensation, other than wages, rent, or other expenses for the assumption of risk. These include both independent nonprofit schools and those affiliated with a religious organization.

Proprietary institution: See Private for-profit institution.

Public institution: An educational institution whose programs and activities are operated by publicly elected or appointed school officials, and which is supported primarily by public funds.

Quarter calendar system: A calendar system in which the academic year consists of three sessions called quarters of about 12 weeks each. The range may be from 10 to 15 weeks. There may be an additional quarter in the summer.

Race/ethnicity: Category used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions of anthropological origins. A person may be counted in only one group.

Race/ethnicity unknown: Category used to classify students or employees whose race/ethnicity is not known and whom institutions are unable to place in one of the specified racial/ethnic categories.

Recognized Postsecondary Credential: Includes both Title IV eligible degrees, certificates, and other recognized postsecondary credentials. Any credential that is received after completion of a program that is eligible for Title IV federal student aid. Credentials that are awarded to recognize an individual's attainment of measurable technical or industry/occupational skills necessary to obtain employment or advance within an industry occupation. (Generally based on standards developed or endorsed by employers or industry associations).

Religious affiliation/commitment (as admission factor): Special consideration given in the admission process for affiliation with a certain church or faith/religion, commitment to a religious vocation, or observance of certain religious tenets/lifestyle.

*Religious counseling: One-on-one or group counseling with trained professionals for students who want to explore religious problems or issues.

*Remedial services: Instructional courses designed for students deficient in the general competencies necessary for a regular postsecondary curriculum and educational setting.

Required fees: Fixed sum charged to students for items not covered by tuition and required of such a large proportion of all students that the student who does NOT pay is the exception. Do not include application fees or optional fees such as lab fees or parking fees.

Resident alien or other eligible non-citizen: A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who has been admitted as a legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident alien status (and who holds either an alien registration card [Form I-551 or I-151], a Temporary Resident Card [Form I-688], or an Arrival-Departure Record [Form I-94] with a notation that conveys legal immigrant status, such as Section 207 Refugee, Section 208 Asylee, Conditional Entrant Parolee or Cuban-Haitian).

Room and board (charges)—on campus: Assume double occupancy in institutional housing and 19 meals per week (or maximum meal plan).

Secondary school record (as admission factor): Information maintained by the secondary school that may include such things as the student's high school transcript, class rank, GPA, and teacher and counselor recommendations.

Semester calendar system: A calendar system that consists of two semesters during the academic year with about 16 weeks for each semester of instruction. There may be an additional summer session.

Student-designed major: A program of study based on individual interests, designed with the assistance of an adviser.

Study abroad: Any arrangement by which a student completes part of the college program studying in another country. Can be at a campus abroad or through a cooperative agreement with some other U.S. college or an institution of another country.

*Summer session: A summer session is shorter than a regular semester and not considered part of the academic year. It is not the third term of an institution operating on a trimester system or the fourth term of an institution operating on a quarter calendar system. The institution may have 2 or more sessions occurring in the summer months. Some schools, such as vocational and beauty schools, have year-round classes with no separate summer session.

Talent/ability (as admission factor): Special consideration given to students with demonstrated talent/abilities in areas of interest to the institution (e.g., sports, the arts, languages, etc.).

Teacher certification program: Program designed to prepare students to meet the requirements for certification as teachers in elementary, middle/junior high, and secondary schools.

Transfer applicant: An individual who has fulfilled the institution's requirements to be considered for admission (including payment or waiving of the application fee, if any) and who has previously attended another college or university and earned college-level credit.

Transfer student: A student entering the institution for the first time but known to have previously attended a postsecondary institution at the same level (e.g., undergraduate). The student may transfer with or without credit.

Transportation (costs): Assume two round trips to student's hometown per year for students in institutional housing or daily travel to and from your institution for commuter students.

Trimester calendar system: An academic year consisting of 3 terms of about 15 weeks each.

Tuition: Amount of money charged to students for instructional services. Tuition may be charged per term, per course, or per credit.

*Tutoring: May range from one-on-one tutoring in specific subjects to tutoring in an area such as math, reading, or writing. Most tutors are college students; at some colleges, they are specially trained and certified.

Unit: a standard of measurement representing hours of academic instruction (e.g., semester credit, quarter credit, clock hour).

Undergraduate: A student enrolled in a four- or five-year bachelor's degree program, an associate degree program, or a vocational or technical program below the baccalaureate.

*Veteran's counseling: Helps veterans and their dependents obtain benefits for their selected program and provides certifications to the Veteran's Administration. May also provide personal counseling on the transition from the military to a civilian life.

*Visually impaired: Any person whose sight loss is not correctable and is sufficiently severe as to adversely affect educational performance.

Volunteer work (as admission factor): Special consideration given to students for activity done on a volunteer basis (e.g., tutoring, hospital care, working with the elderly or disabled) as a service to the community or the public in general.

Wait list: List of students who meet the admission requirements but will only be offered a place in the class if space becomes available.

Weekend college: A program that allows students to take a complete course of study and attend classes only on weekends.

White: A person having origins in any of the original peoples of Europe, the Middle East, or North Africa.

*Women's center: Center with programs, academic activities, and/or services intended to promote an understanding of the evolving roles of women.

Work experience (as admission factor): Special consideration given to students who have been employed prior to application, whether for relevance to major, demonstration of employment-related skills, or as explanation of student's academic and extracurricular record.

Financial Aid Definitions

External scholarships and grants: Scholarships and grants received from outside (private) sources that students bring with them (e.g., Kiwanis, National Merit scholarships). The institution may process paperwork to receive the dollars, but it has no role in determining the recipient or the dollar amount awarded.

Financial aid applicant: Any applicant who submits any one of the institutionally required financial aid applications/forms, such as the FAFSA.

Indebtedness: Aggregate dollar amount borrowed through any loan program (federal, state, subsidized, unsubsidized, private, etc.; excluding parent loans) while the student was enrolled at an institution. Student loans co-signed by a parent are assumed to be the responsibility of the student and should be included.

Institutional scholarships and grants: Endowed scholarships, annual gifts and tuition funded grants for which the institution determines the recipient.

Financial need: As determined by your institution using the federal methodology and/or your institution's own standards.

Need-based aid: College-funded or college-administered award from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify. This includes both institutional and non-institutional student aid (grants, jobs, and loans).

Need-based scholarship or grant aid: Scholarships and grants from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must have financial need to qualify.

Need-based self-help aid: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, federal, or other sources for which a student must demonstrate financial need to qualify.

Non-need-based scholarship or grant aid: Scholarships and grants, gifts, or merit-based aid from institutional, state, federal, or other sources (including unrestricted funds or gifts and endowment income) awarded solely on the basis of academic achievement, merit, or any other non-need-based reason. When reporting questions H1 and H2, non-need-based aid that is used to meet need should be counted as need-based aid.

Note: Suggested order of precedence for counting non-need money as need-based:

  1. Non-need institutional grants
  2. Non-need tuition waivers
  3. Non-need athletic awards
  4. Non-need federal grants
  5. Non-need state grants
  6. Non-need outside grants
  7. Non-need student loans
  8. Non-need parent loans
  9. Non-need work

Non-need-based self-help aid: Loans and jobs from institutional, state, or other sources for which a student need not demonstrate financial need to qualify.

Work study and employment: Federal and state work study aid, and any employment packaged by your institution in financial aid awards.