External Surveys

External Surveys

Montclair State University participates in a variety of external surveys throughout the year that serve multiple purposes, including public reporting, benchmarking, and national rankings. These surveys provide opportunities to communicate key information about the University to external audiences and support transparency and accountability. The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness coordinates and supports the collection, organization, and reporting of institutional data, either by completing surveys directly or by providing data to campus partners who submit responses. This approach helps ensure accurate and consistent participation across surveys. Below are some of the major external surveys completed by the University.

U.S. News & World Report

Montclair participates in multiple surveys administered by U.S. News & World Report each year, including the main undergraduate rankings, Financial Aid, Finance, Best Online Programs, and Graduate School surveys. The information provided through these surveys is used by U.S. News to develop college and program rankings and to support prospective students in comparing institutions and academic offerings. Data submitted include enrollment, admissions, degree completion, standardized test scores, faculty, and other institutional measures.

For more information, please visit: U.S. News & World Report Best Colleges

The Princeton Review

The University participates annually in the Common Data Set (CDS) and RDS surveys administered by The Princeton Review. Information provided through these surveys is used to develop the University’s profile in The Princeton Review’s Best Colleges guide, which is published in both print and online formats and supports prospective students and families in comparing institutions. Data submitted include enrollment, admissions, graduation outcomes, and a range of information related to academics, athletics, student life, disability services, and other institutional characteristics.

For more information, please visit: Princeton Review: The Best Colleges

College Board BigFuture College Profile

Montclair participates annually in the BigFuture College Profiles survey administered by the College Board. Information provided through this survey is used to update the University’s profile on BigFuture, an online college search resource. The profile serves as a reference for high school students, parents, and school counselors as they compare colleges and explore options. Data submitted include a broad range of institutional information, such as programs, costs, application requirements, deadlines, enrollment, admissions, and student life, much of which is drawn from the Common Data Set. Additionally, the data support broader educational research published by the College Board through its Trends in Higher Education series of annual reports.

For more information, please visit College Board BigFuture and BigFuture Profile Management

The following are additional external surveys supported or coordinated by the Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness at Montclair State University throughout the year:

  • AACSB Business School Questionnaire
  • Finance Surveys
    • Continuing Disclosure Survey
    • Fitch Fiscal Year Survey
    • Merritt Research Survey
    • Moody’s Tuition Survey
    • Moody’s Fiscal Year Supplemental Survey
  • HR Surveys
    • CUPA-HR Survey
  • NCAA Graduation Rates Survey
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) Survey of Science and Engineering Research Facilities
  • NJBIZ Surveys
    • NJBIZ Accounting Degree Programs Survey
  • Open Doors Survey
  • Other Princeton Review Surveys
    • The Princeton Review Best Business Survey
    • The Princeton Review Undergraduate Entrepreneurship Studies Survey
    • The Princeton Review Game Design Survey

Frequently Asked Questions

Need to Know

What are external surveys?

External surveys are data collection requests from organizations such as ranking publishers, government agencies, professional associations, and research organizations. These surveys gather information about universities to support benchmarking, public reporting, research, rankings, and student decision-making.

What are some of the major external surveys completed by Montclair State University?

Some major surveys include U.S. News & World Report surveys, The Princeton Review Common Data Set (CDS) and RDS surveys, the College Board BigFuture College Profiles survey, the Higher Education Research and Development (HERD) Survey, the NCAA Graduation Rates Survey, and the Open Doors Survey.

Why does Montclair State University participate in external surveys?

The University participates in external surveys for a variety of reasons. These surveys provide an opportunity to share information about the institution with prospective students, families, and other stakeholders. Survey participation also supports benchmarking, rankings, and institutional improvement efforts.

Who coordinates survey submissions?

The Office of Institutional Research and Effectiveness (OIRE) coordinates all survey submissions. For some surveys, OIRE completes and submits responses directly. For others, OIRE works with campus partners by providing data and supporting the submission process.

What types of information are reported?

Data often includes admissions, enrollment, retention and graduation rates, degree completions, employee data, financial aid, and other institutional information. However, the type of data reported varies by survey.

How does Montclair State University ensure data accuracy?

OIRE ensures data accuracy by utilizing official institutional data sources, reviewing all submissions, and ensuring consistency across surveys and reporting requirements. OIRE also collaborates with campus partners to ensure that surveys submitted by other offices are accurate and consistent with institutional reporting standards.

How are survey results used?

Survey results can be used in a variety of ways. Some results help prospective students, families, and other stakeholders learn about the University. Other results are used for benchmarking, rankings, research, and institutional planning.

What is the Common Data Set (CDS)?

The Common Data Set is a collaborative initiative among colleges, universities, and higher education publishers that provides standardized information about institutions. Data from the CDS are used by organizations including U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, and the College Board.

Are all external surveys related to rankings?

No. While some surveys contribute to rankings, not all surveys do. Some support public profiles, benchmarking, research, or other informational resources rather than rankings.

Where can I learn more?

Additional information is available through the sponsoring organizations’ websites, such as U.S. News & World Report, The Princeton Review, the College Board, and other survey administrators.