One point I will make is that the IPEDS information is extremely unlikely to be incorrect - this is a government mandated report with significant penalties for noncompliance. CDS is voluntary. In addition, CDS allows loans to be counted as gift aid; IPEDS does not allow any loans to be reported.
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If loans were to be counted, you’d think CDS would be higher.
Who is checking either?
I know there’s a lot of funny business with govt stuff in my industry. There’s no watch dogs…so i’m not sure i believe that. Penalties - but maybe on paper only. In a lot of industries by the way.
I can’t speak for CDS. IPEDS carries the threat of an institution losing access to federal student aid, among other penalties. Every higher ed professional I knew who was involved in IPEDS collection & reporting took it very seriously.
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