Beginning with the 2025–2026 Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) data collection cycle, institutions are required to complete the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement (ACTS) survey. The ACTS component originates from a directive issued by the U.S. Secretary of Education in response to a Presidential memorandum issued in August 2025 aimed at increasing transparency in higher-education admissions.
This supplement expands publicly available information about admissions practices, selection criteria, and transparency for prospective students and families. The information collected is reported by institutions directly to IPEDS and made publicly available to support informed college decision-making.
CHE has developed this resource page to assist institutions during this initial data collection cycle.
Background
Under the ACTS, the U.S. Department of Education requires four-year institutions with selective admissions to submit detailed, disaggregated data on applications, admissions, enrollment, and aid by race-sex pairings; and further broken out by GPA quintiles, test-score quintiles, family income ranges, Pell-grant eligibility, parental education (first-generation status), application round (e.g., early action/decision vs. regular), and more. For graduate/professional programs, data would be reported by field of study (CIP code).
Frequently Asked Questions
- What is the IPEDS Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement?
The Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement is a required IPEDS survey component that collects information about an institution’s:
- Admissions policies and practices
- Use of standardized tests
- Admissions criteria and decision factors
- Transparency-related disclosures for prospective students
This supplement enhances clarity and consistency in how admissions information is reported and shared with the public.
- When does this supplement take effect?
The supplement is first collected during the 2025–2026 IPEDS reporting cycle and will be updated annually as part of regular IPEDS data collection.
The new collection opened on Dec. 18, 2025, and will close on March 18, 2026.
- Who is required to complete this supplement?
Four-year degree-granting institutions participating in IPEDS that primarily award bachelor’s degrees or above (inclusive of institutions that award only graduate degrees); exemptions for institutions that: 1) admitted 100% of applicants and 2) did not award non-need-based aid during that reporting year.
- Where can institutions find information about the new ACTS, IPEDS data reporting requirement?
IPEDS 2025-26 Data Collection System
- What type of information is included?
The supplement may include information such as:
- Institution use of open, selective, or highly selective admissions
- Standardized tests (e.g., SAT/ACT) are required, recommended, optional, or not considered
- Factors considered in admissions decisions (e.g., GPA, class rank, coursework)
- Whether admissions policies differ by applicant type
- Is this information publicly available?
Yes. Data from the Admissions and Consumer Transparency Supplement is made available through IPEDS public reporting tools, including student-focused resources.
- Additional Information and Resources
Please see below for additional information:
- NCES IPEDS Information Page
- Association for Institutional Research - ACTS Resource Center
- Ensuring Transparency in Higher Education Admissions - Presidential Memoranda, Aug. 7, 2025
- Regulations.gov - Supporting Forms
- Berkshire Associates Blog: IPEDS Changes are Approved – new ACTS data collection is now live
- Institute for Higher Education Policy: Three major concerns about ED's New Admissions Data Collection