Appendix B
Descriptions of Datasets Used in the Committee’s Analyses
ACS—American Community Survey is the annual, nationally representative household survey conducted by the US Census Bureau. The ACS serves as the “annual census” and is sufficiently large to allow for analysis of relatively small geographies.
B&B—Baccalaureate and Beyond, 2008/09, is a nationally representative survey of college graduates in 2008 and 2009 produced by the National Center for Education Statistics. It provides detailed course taking and employment information on graduates.
CPS—Current Population Survey is the monthly, nationally representative household survey conducted by the US Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. CPS is the principal labor market survey produced by the federal government.
IPEDS—The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System is a detailed annual data file produced by the National Center for Education Statistics reporting degree awards by field and degree level for all accredited colleges and universities in the United States. Numerous additional institutional characteristics are also available.
NAICS—NAICS is the North American Industrial Classification System—the standard used by federal statistical agencies and economists to classify businesses according to the products they produce and their industry.
NSCG—National Survey of College Graduates is the irregular survey of 4-year degree holders by the National Science Foundation. NSCG collects information on educational and job experiences and particularly focuses on the science and engineering workforce.
OES—Occupational Employment Statistics are the Bureau of Labor Statistics’ annual estimates of employment and earnings by detailed occupation. OES is produced from an establishment survey, rather than from a household survey.
