Classification of Instructional Programs is the federal taxonomy of academic disciplines and programs maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics.
How it works
When a new program is created, the institution assigns a CIP code based on the predominant subject matter. Completions, enrollment in some surveys, and financial-aid data are reported under that code. Changes in program content may require a code change. Scorecard aggregates data by four-digit CIP for many displays to protect privacy and increase cell size.
Example: an online Bachelor of Science in Nursing is coded 51.3801. Completions and, where available, debt and earnings data for that program appear under the registered nursing CIP category on College Scorecard, separate from other health programs at the same institution.
How it differs
The institution’s internal major code or catalog name is not the CIP code. Career clusters or occupational classifications (such as SOC codes) describe jobs, not instructional programs. A CIP code does not indicate delivery mode; distance-education status is reported separately.
Common errors
Assigning a CIP code based on marketing language rather than curriculum content. Assuming two programs with similar names at different institutions share the same CIP code. Using a two-digit CIP when program-level analysis requires six digits.
References
- 1. NCES CIP taxonomyStandard program classification
- 2. College Scorecard field of studyCIP used for program-level data
Classification of Instructional Programs is the federal taxonomy of academic disciplines and programs maintained by the National Center for Education Statistics.