Dataset

The dataset includes past statistics as well as results projected for 2005 through 2016. The institutions include branch campuses and schools accredited by the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools and institutions that were eligible to participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs. Beginning in 1996 (2000 for this table), data reflect a new classification of institutions; this classification includes some additional, primarily 2-year, colleges and excludes a few institutions that did not award degrees.

Format

The Statistical Abstract files are distributed by the US Census Department as Microsoft Excel files. These files have data mixed with notes and references, multiple tables per sheet, and, worst of all, the table headers are not easily matched to their rows and columns.

A few files had extraneous characters in the title. These were corrected to be consistent. A few files have a sheet of crufty gibberish in the first slot. The sheet order was shuffled but no data were changed.

The tables that were changed (this is table 271):

0166 0257 0362 0429 0445 0446 0459 0461 0462 0464 0465 0466 0467
0469 0479 0480 0481 0482 0483 0484 0485 0486 0487 0559 0628 0629
1144 1227 1231

This dataset consists of a table of 53 rows and 12 columns.

As of fall (686 represents 686,000). Covers universities, colleges, professional schools, junior and teachers colleges, both publicly and privately controlled, regular session. Includes estimates for institutions not reporting. See also Appendix III

Footnotes:

1. Branch campuses counted according to
   actual status, e.g., 2-year branch in 2-year category.
2. Beginning 1974, number of institutions includes count of
   branch campuses.
3. Due to revised survey procedures, data
   beginning 1986 are not comparable with previous years.
4. Beginning 1996 data reflect a new classification of institutions; this classification includes
   some additional, primarily 2-year, colleges and excludes a few institutions
   that did not award degrees.
5. Due to revised survey methods, data beginning 1987 not comparable
   with previous years.
6. Beginning 1974, branch campuses counted according to
   actual status, e.g., 2-year branch in 2-year category; previously
   a 2-year branch included in university category.
7. Includes unclassified students. (Students taking courses for
   credit, but are not candidates for degrees.)
8. Due to revised survey procedures, data beginning in 1990 are not
   comparable with previous years.
9. Beginning 1980, includes schools accredited
   by the National Association of Trade and Technical Schools.
   See footnote 1 for information pertaining to data beginning 1996.