The project aims to analyze post-college employment outcomes using U.S. Census Bureau data with the goal of aiding both higher education institutions and students. For institutions, it tracks earnings based on majors and degree types over time. For students, it provides insights into major popularity, tuition fees, and post-graduation earnings. The project also considers school types and potential cost-income relationships. By using Tableau for visualization, the goal is to enhance understanding of the factors impacting post-secondary education earnings and trends.

Post-Secondary Employment (PSEO) data:

Researchers at the U.S. Census Bureau have developed an experimental tabulation that provides information on the earnings and employment outcomes of college and university graduates. This data is segmented by degree level, degree major, and post-secondary institution. It is generated by linking university transcript data with a national job database, employing robust confidentiality protection measures to safeguard the underlying information.

The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS):

IPEDS is a comprehensive U.S. data collection system for postsecondary institutions. While mandated for many, participation is not universal. Institutions receiving federal funding are required to report, but smaller or specialized institutions may be excluded. The National Center for Education Statistics oversees IPEDS.

Methodology for dataset selection: 

The higher count of institutions in the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) data is attributed to its inclusion of information spanning several years, with the earliest records dating back to 2001. Given that certain institutions have since ceased operations, a refinement process was undertaken. This involved extracting the latest school list from IPEDS, specifically focusing on institutions that are presently active in reporting. Subsequently, their unit IDs were cross-referenced with the Post-Secondary Employment Outcomes (PSEO) data to determine their current inclusion status. The resultant list, comprising 757 institutions, was meticulously curated to ensure its contemporary relevance.  The goal is to have a more current and relevant set of data to be included for analysis. This approach helps to account for changes over time, including closures of some institutions. 

Data Sources Clarification:

The analysis relies on PSEO data from partnerships involving universities, State Departments of Education, and the U.S. Census Bureau. Institutions included participated in formal data-sharing agreements, leading to potential exclusions for non-participating entities.

IPEDS data, mandatory for federally funded institutions, may not include those opting out. Consequently, the study may not capture institutions not participating in Title IV programs.

Acknowledgment of Limitations:

I acknowledge these limitations and encourage a nuanced interpretation of my results. For a comprehensive view, users may consult additional datasets and sources beyond study's scope.