Data Dictionary

4-Year Graduation Rate

The share of a first-time, first-year cohort earning a bachelor's degree within four years (100% of normal time).

6-Year Graduation Rate

The share of a first-time, first-year cohort earning a bachelor's degree within six years (150% of normal time).

Academic Faculty

Instructional, research and library faculty.

Administrative Faculty

Professional staff in executive, supervisory or support positions.

Collegiate Academy Student

A high school student taking college-level courses taught by a high school instructor.

Also: Concurrent Enrollment

Degree

An award conferred by a postsecondary institution for completing a program of study.

Also: Degrees awarded, Degrees conferred

Dual Enrollment Student

A high school student taking college-level courses taught by a University instructor.

Employee Census

The snapshot of employees taken on 1 November each year.

Employee Headcount

All employees on the 1 November employee census.

Federal Pell Grant Eligibility

The share of degree-seeking undergraduates eligible for a Federal Pell Grant.

Also: Pell, Pell eligible

Federal Work-Study

A federal program that lets students earn money through part-time work.

Also: Work-study

Freshman Retention Rate

The share of fall freshmen who are still enrolled the following fall.

Also: First-year retention, Retention rate

Gift Funding

A voluntary transfer of money from a donor to the University for philanthropic use.

Graduate Assistant

A graduate student employed in teaching, research or administrative duties.

Also: GA, Research assistant, Teaching assistant

Grant (Financial Aid)

Financial aid, typically from the federal government, that usually does not have to be repaid.

Grant Funding

Monetary awards from a sponsor to the University, as a source of salaries.

National Average 6-Year Graduation Rate

The IPEDS 6-year graduation rate for 4-year public institutions, used as a benchmark.

Race/Ethnicity (NCES categories)

The race and ethnicity categories defined by NCES for federal reporting.

Also: Ethnicity, IPEDS race/ethnicity

Scholarship

Financial aid that does not have to be repaid, from the University or private organizations.

Self-Supporting Funds

Funds that are neither state-appropriated nor grant-funded, typically earned through sales or services.

Stand-Alone Graduate or Professional Program

A program, such as medicine or law, whose faculty teach almost only graduate-level students.

Also: Independent program

State Funding

Funds appropriated by the State of Nevada to NSHE from General Fund revenues.

Student Credit Hour (SCH)

One hour (50 minutes) of instruction per week over a term.

Also: Credit hour, SCH

Student Full-Time Equivalent (FTE)

Full-time fall headcount plus a weighted share of part-time headcount, per IPEDS.

Also: FTE students, Student FTE

Student Headcount

The count of all students of any enrollment status at census.

Student Loan

Borrowed aid from federal or private sources, repaid with interest.

Student-Faculty Ratio

FTE students divided by FTE instructional staff, excluding stand-alone graduate and professional programs.

Students of Color

The share of students who identify as Hispanic or Latino, American Indian or Alaska Native, Asian, Black or African American, or Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander.

Tenure-Track Faculty

Faculty eligible for appointment with tenure under NSHE Code Title 2, Chapter 3.

Tenured Faculty

Faculty holding tenure under NSHE Code Title 2, Chapter 3.

University Faculty

All persons holding professional positions authorized by the NSHE Code.