Precision Campus Blog

In higher education, “persistence” and “retention” are often used interchangeably. But there are stark differences between the two — especially when it comes to measuring and improving rates. Read on for information about: Persistence vs. Retention: Definitions & Differences Why Are Persistence & Retention Rates So Important? How Institutions Can Improve Persistence & Retention Rates…

According to the American Institutes for Research (AIR), “using data in instructional decisions can lead to improved student performance.” With an abundance of big data spanning the entire educational landscape, more and more institutions are taking this advice and using student data to improve teaching and learning outcomes. But exactly how can data make a…

If you work in institutional research, you know better than anyone that the data reporting never ends. This is especially true when it comes to IPEDS reporting. While it may seem like a hassle, the information you submit to IPEDS is destined to become a representation of your institution — making it one of the…

Using data to prove that a college or university provides value is no easy feat. Higher education collects an exorbitant amount of information that can be used to measure the performance of students, faculty, facilities and the institution as a whole, but where do educators even begin? Proving value and analyzing performance starts by identifying…

Data is absolutely everywhere, especially in colleges and universities. Someone has to collect, manage, analyze, organize and interpret the quintillion bytes of data we generate every day, and in higher education that someone is an institutional researcher. Below, we outline what goes on inside an institutional research department, the different roles available and how to…

Data is the lifeblood of decision making in higher education, but colleges and universities have long faced barriers when it comes to accessing and utilizing it for their benefit. Current higher education data collection systems are difficult to use and struggle to keep up with trends. Subsequently, colleges and universities waste valuable time navigating disorganized…