Research and Data

CIC's research and data efforts provide institutions with a better understanding of information and trends in their sector. These efforts focus on the Making the Case materials, as well as periodic research studies and reports.

 

 Making the Case Charts and Data

 

A key component of CIC's research and data efforts is CIC's Making the Case initiative, generously funded by the William Randolph Hearst Foundations. The initiative provides access to a collection of more than 100 charts and data, as well as speeches, addresses, books and reports, and media articles, that help to document the effectiveness of independent higher education.

VISIT THE MAKING THE CASE SITE
 

 Benchmarking Tools and Services

 

​CIC provides the Key Indicators Tool (KIT) and Financial Indicators Tool (FIT) free of charge to CIC institutional members. The reports are prepared by the Austen Group, and generously funded by TIAA-CREF.

 
KEY INDICATORS TOOL (KIT)
The Key Indicators Tool (KIT), introduced in 2004, is aimed at improving the capacity of member institutions to gain access to and utilize data to enhance institutional decision-making and improve institutional effectiveness.
  
FINANCIAL INDICATORS TOOL (FIT)

CIC's Financial Indicators Tool (FIT) provides an easily understood assessment of an institution’s financial performance that can be tracked over time and benchmarked against similar institutions.
 

 Research Studies and Reports

 

CIC periodically releases research studies and reports. The most recent reports include: 

CATALYST FOR CHANGE: THE CIC/CLA CONSORTIUM
A final report on the work of the CIC Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) Consortium.
 
STUDY OF PRESIDENTIAL CAREER PATTERNS
Examines the various career routes and other characteristics of first-time presidents.
 
STUDY OF CIC CAOs

Examines the characteristics, responsibilities, and career trajectories of chief academic officers (CAOs)
 

 Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA)

 

The Collegiate Learning Assessment (CLA) initiative studies "institutional effects" associated with larger than expected gains in students' analytical reasoning, critical thinking, and writing skills.

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