Unit ID is the unique six-digit numeric identifier assigned by IPEDS to each postsecondary institution.
How it works
NCES assigns a Unit ID when an institution first enters the IPEDS universe. All subsequent survey submissions for that institution use the same identifier. Public data files include the Unit ID in every record. Crosswalks exist between Unit ID and other identifiers such as OPEID. When institutions merge or separate, NCES publishes guidance and, when necessary, new or retired Unit IDs so that longitudinal files can be constructed accurately.
Example: a researcher downloads IPEDS graduation-rate and College Scorecard earnings files. Matching on Unit ID correctly pairs the graduation rate of institution 123456 with its median earnings, even if the institution’s name appears with slight variations in the two files. The same Unit ID is used whether the student population is primarily on-campus or primarily online.
How it differs
OPEID is the identifier used by Federal Student Aid for Title IV participation and can differ in structure and campus aggregation from Unit ID. A FICE code was an earlier identifier that has been superseded. Internal student-information-system IDs are not interchangeable with Unit ID.
Common errors
Matching institutions by name alone when combining data sets. Assuming one Unit ID represents every campus of a multi-campus system. Using an outdated Unit ID after a merger or separation without checking the IPEDS crosswalk.
References
- 1. IPEDS UNITIDUnique institution identifier
- 2. College Scorecard data documentationUNITID as primary key
Unit ID is the unique six-digit numeric identifier assigned by IPEDS to each postsecondary institution.