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Survey Component Overview
The purpose of the Fall Enrollment component of IPEDS is to collect enrollment data on all students enrolled for credit in courses/programs that could lead to awards ranging from postsecondary certificates of less than 1 year to doctoral degrees. Fall enrollment data are collected by level of student, attendance status, race/ethnicity, and gender. In addition, the Fall Enrollment component collects data on the institution's undergraduate entering class, first-time student retention rates, and the student-to-faculty ratio. Every other year data on enrollment by nine selected fields of study are collected, as is residency of first-time degree/certificate-seeking undergraduate students. In opposite years, enrollment by student age is collected.
Data Collection Period
- December 4, 2024 – April 2, 2025 for IPEDS Keyholders
- December 4, 2024 – April 16, 2025 for IPEDS Coordinators
Fall Enrollment (EF)
Related Content
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Fall Enrollment (EF) First-Time Students
Report first-time, degree- or certificate-seeking students accurately in IPEDS Fall Enrollment, including summer entrants and advanced standing.
All Levels • On-Demand Tutorial • <1 Hour
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Fall Enrollment (EF) Who To Include
Understand which students to include in IPEDS Fall Enrollment reporting, ensuring accurate counts of enrolled-for-credit individuals.
All Levels • On-Demand Tutorial • <1 Hour
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Fall Enrollment (EF) Edit Explanations and Context Boxes
Learn how to use edit explanations and context boxes in IPEDS Fall Enrollment reporting to clarify data and provide context.
All Levels • On-Demand Tutorial • <1 Hour
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Fall Enrollment (EF) Fall VS. 12-Month Enrollment
Understand the differences between Fall Enrollment and 12-Month Enrollment in IPEDS to ensure accurate reporting across survey components.
All Levels • On-Demand Tutorial • <1 Hour
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Fall Enrollment (EF) Retention Rates - Less-Than Four-Year Institutions
Understand how to accurately report first-time student retention rates for less-than-four-year institutions in the IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey.
All Levels • On-Demand Tutorial • <1 Hour
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Fall Enrollment (EF) Retention Rates - Four-Year Institutions
Learn how to report first-time bachelor's degree-seeking student retention rates in IPEDS Fall Enrollment, including allowable exclusions and inclusions.
All Levels • On-Demand Tutorial • <1 Hour
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Fall Enrollment (EF) Distance Education
Understand how to accurately report distance education enrollment in the IPEDS Fall Enrollment survey, including student location classifications.
All Levels • On-Demand Tutorial • <1 Hour
You’ve reached a page related to work funded by the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES) under a contract that expired October 2025. To explore additional IPEDS training and resources, visit the AIR IPEDS Training Center.