Welcome to the Office of Institutional Research

Our Mission

The Office of Institutional Research is responsible for the collection, analysis, interpretation, and dissemination of accurate and timely information on all aspects of the university's activities in support of institutional planning, decision-making, and reporting.

What We Do

Institutional Research carries out its responsibility through three interrelated functions:

1. Develop and maintain, or have access to, institutional databases on students, courses, finances, human resources, and facilities, as well as national and peer-institutional data sources.
2. Provide timely and accurate information for planning, internal decision-making, and external accountability.
3. Support the development, analysis, and evaluation of policies and plans for Iowa State University through service to the President, Senior Vice President and Provost, other senior university administrators, faculty governance, and planning committees.

Institutional Research prepares the ISU Fact Book, Common Data Set, Faculty Salary Comparisons, and a number of other periodic institutional and comparative reports. The office maintains an on-line information system and a department code system for administrative purposes. It also serves as a clearinghouse for data and information surveys that originate from federal agencies, state government bodies, peer universities, and various private publishers.

Institutional Research currently reports to the Office of the Senior Vice President and Provost.