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The Cost Study Discontinuation FAQ

Why is the study being discontinued?

Unfortunately, over the past decade, due to multiple factors in higher education, the number of participants in The Cost Study has slowly declined to unsustainable levels. The study will be discontinued after the conclusion of the 2024 cycle. Please read our full statement about the discontinuation of The Cost Study for additional information.

 

Can I still submit requests for new reports after the conclusion of the 2024 cycle?

Yes, all past participants in The Cost Study can make requests for peer analyses, dashboards, and special data requests—for both the 2024 cycle and prior cycles—until September 15, 2025.

 

How do I make requests for new reports?

Requests for peer analyses (standard and program-specific) and dashboards from cycles 2017-2024 can be made directly in the web portal under the Peer Analysis and Reports tabs. Reports prior to 2017 must be requested through a special data request. All special data requests should be emailed to ire-cost@udel.edu.

 

Do I need to make a special request for data submissions and comparative data?

No, accessing and downloading raw data submissions, institution reports, National Norms, and approved peer analyses for cycles 2017-2024 do not require special data requests. These reports are actively available in the web portal. However, accessing these reports for cycles prior to 2017 will require a special data request.

 

How long will I be able to download data from the web portal?

The web portal will be available to HEC members until December 15, 2025. At that time, The Cost Study team will archive all data and shut down the portal. If you would like to retain data/reports for your records, they must be downloaded from the portal before that date. Data/reports include:

  • Institution Data (cycles 2015-2024)
    • Data submission files (Excel)
    • Data entry forms (PDF)
    • Programs notes (Excel)
    • Red Flag Reports (copy and paste)
    • Approved Institution Report (PDF or Excel)
    • Approved Institution Report w/3-yr-avgs (copy and paste)
    • Year-over-Year Cost and Productivity Charts (Excel)
    • Snapshot Reports (PDF) [2022-2024 cycles only]
  • Comparative Data (2017-2024)
    • National Norms (Excel)
    • Institution lists (copy and paste, Excel)
    • Peer Analyses (Excel)

Note: Dashboards (Excel and Tableau) must be requested through the web portal; however, they will be delivered via Dropbox.

Please contact ire-cost@udel.edu if you are a current or former participant (since 2015) and you are unable to access the web portal.