The Common Data Set (CDS) is a set of well-defined data items
that are used to share standard information about a college or university.
Definitions for each data item are located at the bottom of the CDS
document. Since the early 1990s, four major publishers (the College Board,
Peterson's, U.S. News & World Report, and Wintergreen/Orchard House)
have collaborated with the Association for Institutional Research (AIR)
and the institutional research community in the Common Data Set (CDS)
initiative. Today, IR or other individuals in colleges and universities
complete the CDS and share it with those interested.