Academic Year (AY) – Two full semesters, starting in the fall and continuing into the spring; does not include summer.
Acceptance Rate – The percentage of applicants who are offered admission to a degree-granting program at Bentley.
Admitted Student – An applicant who is offered admission to a degree-granting program at Bentley.
Admitted Student Questionnaire (ASQ+) – A CollegeBoard survey that collects data from admitted first-years on the assessment of programs, admissions procedures, literature, institutional image, etc.
Accrediting Agencies – Agencies that establish operating standards for educational or professional institutions and programs, determine the extent to which the standards are met, and publicly announce their findings.
Auxiliary Enterprise – Includes essentially self-supporting operations of the institution that exist to furnish a service to students, faculty, or staff, and that charge a fee that is directly related to, although not necessarily equal to, the cost of the service. Examples are residence halls, food services, student health services, and college stores.
Carnegie Classification – Master’s Colleges and Universities
Institutions were included in these categories if they awarded at least 50 master's degrees in 2008-09, but fewer than 20 research doctorates (as defined above). Some institutions with smaller master's programs were also included (see below). As in previous editions, these categories were limited to institutions that were not identified as Tribal Colleges or Special Focus Institutions.
Program size Master's program size was based on the number of master's degrees awarded in 2008-09. Those awarding at least 200 degrees were included among larger programs; those awarding 100–199 were included among medium programs; and those awarding 50–99 were included among smaller programs. The smaller programs group also includes institutions that awarded fewer than 50 master's degrees if (a) their Enrollment Profile classification is Exclusively Graduate/Professional or (b) their Enrollment Profile classification is Majority Graduate/Professional and they awarded more graduate/professional degrees than undergraduate degrees.
Class Rank – The relative numerical position of a student in his or her graduating class, calculated by dividing high school class rank by high school class size.
Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) – Used in all National Center for Education Statistics surveys and is the accepted government standard for education information surveys.
Cohort – A group of individuals (in this case, students) who went through the same experience or event at the same time. A cohort does not necessarily progress at the same rate.
Common Data Set (CDS) – A collaborative effort among data providers in the higher education community and publishers such as the College Board, Peterson's, and U.S. News & World Report. The CDS is a set of standards and definitions of data items rather than a survey instrument or set of data represented in a database. Common Data Set items undergo broad review by the CDS Advisory Board as well as by data providers representing secondary schools and two- and four-year colleges.
Ethnicity – Categories used to describe groups to which individuals belong, identify with, or belong in the eyes of the community. The categories do not denote scientific definitions or anthropological origins. Ethnicity is typically a self-reported demographic item.
Ethnic/Racial Classification – A racial or ethnic category that is chosen by the student. International students (non-resident aliens) are not classified by racial/ethnic category, but may be included in the total number of students when calculating percent minority.
Fact Book – The Bentley Fact Book captures and summarizes much of the important current and historical information about Bentley. The Fact Book is intended to serve as a reference for information about the University’s faculty, students, alumni, personnel, facilities, and budget.
Fiscal Year (FY) – A 12-month period running from June 30th through the following July 1st. Fiscal years are designated by the year in which the FY ends rather than the year the FY begins.
Freeze Date – The freeze data provides a statistical portrait of the institution at a fixed point in time. October 15th is the official freeze date for the Fall semester, and February 15th is the freeze date for the Spring. These serve as the collection dates for different types of information including enrollment counts, financial statements, or graduation reports.
FTE (Full Time Equivalency) – A numerical measure used for reporting purposes. The FTE part-time faculty equivalent is calculated by dividing the number of fall course hours taught by part-time faculty by the standard fall session full-time teaching load. The FTE part-time student equivalent is calculated by dividing the total fall part-time undergraduate student headcount by 3 and adding the full-time undergraduate student headcount.
FTE Employee – A numerical designator for an appointment based on 100% for full-time. An FTE for a full-time employee is 1.00. (For example, two people each serving in half-time positions would equal, together, one FTE position.)
Full-Time Graduate Student – In determining full-time status for the purpose of loan deferments, immunizations, medical insurance requirements, and verifications requested by other organizations, Bentley uses the following parameters: a student enrolled for 9 or more semester credits in the McCallum Graduate School are full-time students
Full-Time Undergraduate Student – A student enrolled for 12 or more credits in that semester.
Graduate and First Professional Enrollment – All post-baccalaureate students taking courses for credit are counted under Graduate and Professional enrollment.
Graduate Student – A student who holds a bachelor's or first-professional degree, or equivalent, is taking courses at the post-baccalaureate level, and is admitted to the graduate program.
Graduation Rate - Graduation rates are a measure of the success of those students in attaining their academic goals. Graduation rates are affected by student characteristics, choices, and behaviors and by institutional characteristics and programs.
Head Count – Count of individuals (e.g., students, staff, faculty)
IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) – The core postsecondary education data collection program in the U.S. Department of Education's National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). It was designed to help NCES meet its mandate to report full and complete statistics on the condition of postsecondary education in the United States. It is a single, comprehensive data collection system developed to encompass all institutions and organizations whose primary purpose is to provide postsecondary education. The IPEDS system is built around a series of interrelated surveys to collect institution-level data in such areas as enrollment, program completions, faculty and staff, and financing.
Nonresident alien – A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States, who is in this country on a visa or temporary basis, and does not have the right to remain indefinitely
Peer Institution – Institutions used by Bentley to compare data relating to admissions, enrollments, finances, etc.
Resident alien or other eligible non-citizen – A person who is not a citizen or national of the United States and who has been admitted as a legal immigrant for the purpose of obtaining permanent resident alien status
Retention Rates – Retention rates are a measure of academic progression of a group of students from one period of time to the next. Retention rates are affected by student characteristics, choices, and behaviors and by institutional characteristics and programs.
Student Faculty Ratio – The ratio of full-time equivalent students to full-time equivalent instructional faculty. The FTE part-time faculty equivalent is calculated by dividing the number of fall course hours taught by part-time faculty by the standard fall session full-time teaching load. The FTE part-time student equivalent is calculated by dividing the total fall part-time undergraduate student headcount by 3 and adding the full-time undergraduate student headcount.
Yield Rate – The percentage of admitted students who accept the offer of enrollment.
Frequently Used Acronyms in Institutional Research:
AACSB Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
AAUP American Association of University Professors
AIR Association for Institutional Research
ALANA African-American, Latino, Asian, and Native American
ASQ Admitted Student Questionnaire
CGS Council of Graduate Schools
CIP Classification of Instructional Programs
CIRP Cooperative Institutional Research Program
CSS College Student Survey
HEDS Higher Education Data Sharing
HERI Higher Education Research Institute
IE Institutional Effectiveness
IPEDS Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System
NACUBO National Association of College and University Business Officers
NEAIR Northeastern Association of Institutional Research
NECHE New England Commission of Higher Education
NCES National Center for Education Statistics
NRC National Research Council
NSSE National Study of Student Engagement
SSI Student Satisfaction Inventory