College Scorecard is the U.S.
Department of Education’s public website and data set that combines IPEDS institutional characteristics with federal aid, debt, completion, and earnings information for Title IV recipients.
How it works
Users search for an institution or program. The site returns key metrics drawn from the most recent available data. Downloadable files contain hundreds of variables keyed by Unit ID and, for program-level data, by CIP code. Documentation explains cohort definitions, suppression rules for small numbers, and the distinction between IPEDS and NSLDS sources.
Example: a student comparing three online bachelor’s programs in business sees each institution’s average net price, 150 percent graduation rate, median federal debt of completers, and median earnings ten years after entry. The earnings figure reflects Title IV recipients, not all graduates.
How it differs
College Navigator shows primarily IPEDS survey data and does not include earnings or detailed debt. IPEDS itself is the underlying survey system. Gainful-employment metrics use related data but apply regulatory thresholds that Scorecard does not enforce.
Common errors
Assuming Scorecard earnings represent all graduates rather than Title IV recipients. Comparing a Scorecard eight-year completion figure with an IPEDS 150 percent graduation rate without noting the different cohorts. Treating suppressed cells as zeros.
References
- 1. College Scorecard official siteConsumer tool merging IPEDS, NSLDS, and earnings
- 2. Scorecard data documentationVariable definitions and sources
College Scorecard is the U.S. Department of Education’s public website and data set that combines IPEDS institutional characteristics with federal aid, debt, completion, and earnings information for Title IV recipients.