The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) Common Data Set (CDS) is a comprehensive collection of data and statistics that provides insight into the institution's academic programs, student body, faculty, and resources. The CDS is a collaborative effort between MIT and other higher education institutions to provide a standardized framework for reporting data, facilitating comparisons and benchmarking across institutions. In this article, we will delve into the MIT Common Data Set, exploring its key components, trends, and implications for students, faculty, and administrators.
Overview of the MIT Common Data Set

The MIT CDS is organized into several sections, each focusing on a specific aspect of the institution. These sections include:
- Introduction, which provides an overview of the institution and its mission
- Enrollment and persistence, which reports on student enrollment, retention, and graduation rates
- Admissions, which details the admission process, requirements, and outcomes
- Academic offerings and policies, which describes the institution’s academic programs, policies, and faculty
- Student life, which explores student organizations, services, and campus resources
- Annual expenses, which reports on tuition, fees, and other expenses associated with attending MIT
- Financial aid, which details the types and amounts of financial aid available to students
- Faculty and class size, which provides information on faculty demographics, class sizes, and student-faculty ratios
- Degrees conferred, which reports on the number and types of degrees awarded by MIT
Key Findings and Trends in the MIT CDS
Analysis of the MIT CDS reveals several key findings and trends. For instance, the data shows that MIT has a highly competitive admission process, with an acceptance rate of around 7.7% for the class of 2024. The institution also has a strong record of student retention, with a freshman retention rate of 98%. Additionally, the data indicates that MIT has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries. The CDS also provides insight into MIT’s academic programs, including the number of degrees conferred, faculty demographics, and student-faculty ratios.
Category | MIT Data |
---|---|
Acceptance Rate | 7.7% |
Freshman Retention Rate | 98% |
Student Body Diversity | Students from all 50 states and over 100 countries |
Faculty-Student Ratio | 3:1 |

Key Points
- The MIT CDS provides a comprehensive overview of the institution's academic programs, student body, and resources
- The data shows that MIT has a highly competitive admission process and a strong record of student retention
- The institution has a diverse student body, with students from all 50 states and over 100 countries
- The CDS provides insight into MIT's academic programs, including the number of degrees conferred, faculty demographics, and student-faculty ratios
- Analysis of the CDS can inform decision-making and strategic planning for students, faculty, and administrators
Implications of the MIT CDS for Students, Faculty, and Administrators

The MIT CDS has significant implications for students, faculty, and administrators. For students, the data can inform decisions about academic programs, career paths, and personal development. For faculty, the CDS provides insight into student learning outcomes, academic program effectiveness, and areas for improvement. For administrators, the data can inform strategic planning, resource allocation, and decision-making about academic programs, faculty hiring, and student services.
Using the MIT CDS for Data-Driven Decision Making
To fully leverage the MIT CDS, stakeholders must be able to analyze and interpret the data effectively. This requires a combination of technical skills, such as data analysis and visualization, and contextual knowledge of the institution and its programs. By applying data-driven decision-making approaches, stakeholders can identify areas of strength and weakness, inform strategic planning, and drive continuous improvement.
What is the purpose of the MIT Common Data Set?
+The MIT Common Data Set is a comprehensive collection of data and statistics that provides insight into the institution's academic programs, student body, faculty, and resources.
What types of data are included in the MIT CDS?
+The MIT CDS includes data on enrollment and persistence, admissions, academic offerings and policies, student life, annual expenses, financial aid, faculty and class size, and degrees conferred.
How can stakeholders use the MIT CDS for data-driven decision making?
+Stakeholders can use the MIT CDS to analyze and interpret data, identify areas of strength and weakness, inform strategic planning, and drive continuous improvement.
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