The National Survey of College Graduates (NSCG) began in 1993 and has been conducted biennially to provide individuals, educational institutions, businesses and the Federal Government with the information they need to make important decisions. The survey provides data on the number and characteristics of individuals with a bachelor's or higher degree, with a special focus on individuals with education and/or employment in science or engineering. The survey includes age, educational history, citizenship, disability status, occupational/employment information, race and ethnicity, salary, sex, student loan debt, job satisfaction and work-related training. It samples individuals who are living in the United States or Puerto Rico during the survey reference week, have at least a bachelor's degree, and are younger than 76. 

PLEASE NOTE: There are two versions of the NSCG. This metadata file refers to the NSCG data available through the NCSES Secure Data Access Facility (SDAF). This version of the NSCG data includes the variables found in the public use data files but allows for the ability to conduct longitudinal analyses of linked cases starting with the 2010 survey cycle. Additional linkages using this version are very limited. This version of the NSCG data does not include the restricted use data variables, such as state and institution level data. Researchers can apply for the NSCG restricted use data by selecting the NSCG version available through the U.S. Census Bureau's Federal Statistical Research Data Centers. 

NCSES is updating their data linkage policy to better meet the data linkage needs of NCSES and external researchers. Currently, NCSES does not support researcher access to direct Personally Identifiable Information (PII). NCSES encourages researchers interested in developing an SAP application that includes linking NCSES restricted data to non-NCSES data sources to contact NCSES at NCSES_Licensing@nsf.gov to assess feasibility and appropriateness.

National Survey of College Graduates

Includes unique ID variable that allows linkage across survey years (e.g., 2015+2017+2019+2021+2023)

The National Survey of Recent College Graduates, conducted from 1973 through 2010, was a cross-sectional biennial survey that provided demographic and career information about individuals holding a bachelor's or master's degree in a science, engineering, or health field from a U.S. academic institution. The survey sampled individuals living in the United States who received their degree in the prior 2 or 3 academic years and were under age 76. Results from the NSRCG help data users understand and predict trends in education, employment opportunities, and salaries of recent graduates. 

NCSES is updating their data linkage policy to better meet the data linkage needs of NCSES and external researchers. Currently, NCSES does not support researcher access to direct Personally Identifiable Information (PII). NCSES encourages researchers interested in developing an SAP application that includes linking NCSES restricted data to non-NCSES data sources to contact NCSES at NCSES_Licensing@nsf.gov to assess feasibility and appropriateness.

National Survey of Recent College Graduates

The Survey of Earned Doctorates (SED) began in 1957-58 to collect data continuously on the number and characteristics of individuals receiving research doctoral degrees from all accredited U.S. institutions. Information from this survey becomes part of the Doctorate Records File (DRF). The DRF contains data on all earned doctorates granted by U.S. universities, in all fields from 1920 to the present. The results of this annual survey are used to assess characteristics and trends in doctorate education and degrees. This information is vital for educational and labor force planners within the federal government and in academia. 

NCSES is updating their data linkage policy to better meet the data linkage needs of NCSES and external researchers. Currently, NCSES does not support researcher access to direct Personally Identifiable Information (PII). NCSES encourages researchers interested in developing an SAP application that includes linking NCSES restricted data to non-NCSES data sources to contact NCSES at NCSES_Licensing@nsf.gov to assess feasibility and appropriateness.

Survey of Earned Doctorates

The Survey of Doctorate Recipients (SDR) provides demographic, education, and career history information from individuals with a U.S. research doctoral degree in a science, engineering, or health (SEH) field. The SDR is sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics and by the National Institutes of Health. Conducted since 1993, the SDR is a unique source of information about the educational and occupational achievements and career movement of U.S.-trained doctoral scientists and engineers in the United States and abroad. 

NCSES is updating their data linkage policy to better meet the data linkage needs of NCSES and external researchers. Currently, NCSES does not support researcher access to direct Personally Identifiable Information (PII). NCSES encourages researchers interested in developing an SAP application that includes linking NCSES restricted data to non-NCSES data sources to contact NCSES at NCSES_Licensing@nsf.gov to assess feasibility and appropriateness.

Survey of Doctorate Recipients

Includes educational institution identifiers for degrees earned and state-level identifiers for residency and employer location, which are not available on the PUF. RUF includes additional detail for various variables including demographic characteristics and degree fields. Values of salary and income are rounded and top-coded on the PUF.

The Early Career Doctorates Survey (ECDS) gathers in-depth information about individuals who earned their first doctoral degree (PhD, MD, or equivalent) in the past 10 years and work at academic institutions and federally funded research and development centers. Unique in scope, the ECDS includes professional and research doctorate holders from all fields trained in the United States and abroad. Sponsored by the National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics within the National Science Foundation and by the National Institutes of Health, the ECDS provides new data on the demographics, work experiences, and career paths of individuals in the first years following the completion of their doctoral studies. 

NCSES is updating their data linkage policy to better meet the data linkage needs of NCSES and external researchers. Currently, NCSES does not support researcher access to direct Personally Identifiable Information (PII). NCSES encourages researchers interested in developing an SAP application that includes linking NCSES restricted data to non-NCSES data sources to contact NCSES at NCSES_Licensing@nsf.gov to assess feasibility and appropriateness.

Early Career Doctorates Survey

This dataset contains just over 115,200 records of persons with a science, engineering or S&E-related degree and/or occupation, weighted to represent an estimated 28.9 million persons in the U.S. educated or working as scientists or engineers during the reference week of October 1, 2013. Data from two 2013 surveys (Survey of Doctorate Recipients, and the National Survey of College Graduates) were integrated into this combined database to provide information about the employment, educational and demographic characteristics of scientists and engineers in the United States. This public database contains variables that were created to protect the confidentiality of individuals. 

NCSES is updating their data linkage policy to better meet the data linkage needs of NCSES and external researchers. Currently, NCSES does not support researcher access to direct Personally Identifiable Information (PII). NCSES encourages researchers interested in developing an SAP application that includes linking NCSES restricted data to non-NCSES data sources to contact NCSES at NCSES_Licensing@nsf.gov to assess feasibility and appropriateness.

Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System

Includes additional information on geographical location and employemnt in the academic sector for doctorate holders, and more specific details on demographic characteristics including race and ethnicity.

The Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) is a secure cloud-based computing platform designed to promote collaboration, facilitate documentation, and provide information about data use to the agencies that own the data. The ADRF has provided secure access to over 100 confidential government datasets from 50 different agencies at all levels of government. More information on ADRF is available at https://coleridgeinitiative.org/adrf/.

Remote access to restricted-use data at the authorized licensed location via the the Administrative Data Research Facility (ADRF) by a connected, networked computer.  

Researchers may access restricted-use National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) data at Research Data Centers (RDCs) located in Hyattsville, MD, Atlanta, GA, Rockville, MD, and Washington DC (government employees only). The NCHS RDCs are open by appointment only during regular business hours. The NCHS RDC computers are not connected to the Internet, and they have standard statistical software. An RDC Analyst will review all materials brought into the RDC and will review any notes, code, or output the researcher may want to take out of the RDC. Electronic devices (e.g., cell phones and laptops) are not permitted in the RDC. Some NCHS projects are authorized to access NCHS data at Federal Statistical RDCs (FSRDC). Non-US Citizens: In general, non-US citizens are not granted access to NCHS RDCs and are encouraged to use Federal Statistical RDCs to access restricted-use NCHS data.

Access via physical data enclaves in Atlanta, GA; Hyattsville, MD; Rockville, MD; or Washington, DC (government employees only).

NCSES Secure Data Access Facility (SDAF) houses NCSES restricted-use data and provides secure remote access to researchers. After researchers have submitted a restricted-use data application, received approval from NCSES, and have been trained on how to use the SDAF, they can login using an approved computer and a private internet connection. Each researcher has access to their own, personal file space and to a suite of software that can be used to store, access, and analyze data. For more information on accessing NCSES restricted-use data, please visit https://ncses.nsf.gov/about/licensing. 

The NCSES Secure Data Access Facility is a virtual data enclave where approved researchers access NCSES restricted-use data.

USDA offers offsite remote access via a secure internet connection using the researcher’s own computer and web browser to approved datasets for data analysis within the Data Enclave. Each researcher has access to their own personal file space and to a suite of software that can be used to store, access, and analyze data.

Remote access through a virtual data enclave.

Access via a physical data enclave at the Social Security Administration in Washington, DC.

The ICPSR physical data enclave is located in the Perry Building on the campus of the University of Michigan.

Access via the physical data enclave at ICPSR in Ann Arbor, MI.

The ICPSR virtual data enclave allows users access to restricted data via their own computers using a virtual desktop. 

Remote access through ICPSR`s virtual data enclave.

Data can be used by the researcher(s) at their institutions via a method and following requirements set by the agency owning the data. These might include a non-networked computer, a secure office, or other provisions deemed necessary to ensure security.

Data can be used at the user`s institution following the license agreement.

Researchers, working on approved projects and satisfying all requirements to become temporary agents of the U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA), may arrange with EIA to schedule time during normal business hours for EIA Onsite restricted access to protected data. This restricted access is only in designated areas located at EIA’s headquarters in Washington, DC. While working in these designated areas, the following are prohibited: remote access, removal of any protected information provided by EIA in paper or digital format, and access to the internet, email, EIA’s internal network, removable digital media, and cell phones.

The U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) provides restricted access to protected data in designated areas located at EIA’s headquarters in Washington, DC.

Researchers can access data within a secure room in the Fort Collins, CO office. The network is air-gapped and has no access to the internet or USDA network. Coordination with NAHMS staff is required to access data within the secure Data Lab. Note that if a request includes both NASS and NAHMS data, the NAHMS Onsite option cannot be used, the USDA Virtual Data Enclave must be used.

Access data in a secured room in Fort Collins, CO

Researchers may access restricted-use NCHS Data from an employer site via Virtual Data Enclave. RDC Analyst will review  any notes, code, or output the researcher may want to take off of the VDE. Non-US Citizens: Non-US citizens may NOT access data using the NCHS VDE and are encouraged to use Federal Statistical RDCs for access to restricted-use NCHS data.

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) operates a Virtual Data Enclave (VDE) where researchers may access restricted-use NCHS data

BEA is currently providing access at the user’s domicile. A security clearance is required to access the BEA network.

Remote access to restricted access data on the BEA network. 

BLS Onsite access is available in a researcher room at the BLS national office in Washington, DC.  Researchers with approved projects can reserve time during normal business hours to use BLS workstations connected to an internal server where all data and project files are stored.  More information is available at www.bls.gov/rda/onsite-at-bls.htm. 

Access via a designated researcher room at the BLS national office in Washington, DC.

BLS offers offsite remote access to restricted data through a Virtual Data Enclave (VDE).  Users access data files at a designated location at their instution using a virtual desktop on their own computer. The VDE must be accessed from a single non-private static IP address that is associated with the institution and restricted to an approved location. If the institution is unable to provide a location-specific IP address, a static IP address is still required and the VDE must be accessed from a non-portable desktop computer located in an approved location. NLSY State, County, and MSA Geocode data sets and the CFOI-Masked data set require a workspace where steps can be taken to prevent unauthorized individuals from seeing or accessing the data. The remaining highly restricted data sets require a locaton with a locked room that is only accessible to designated agents.

Remote access to restricted data in a secure location at the researcher’s institution through a Virtual Data Enclave.

Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) are Census Bureau facilities, housed in partner institutions, that meet all physical and information security requirements for access to restricted–use micro data of the agencies whose data are accessed there. Remote access via secure Virtual Desktop Interface (VDI) is permitted for researchers working with selected data, at the discretion of the data-owning agency. All FSRDC researchers must obtain the Census Bureau`s Special Sworn Status and successfully complete a thorough background investigation prior to accessing an RDC.

Federal Statistical Research Data Centers (FSRDCs) are Census Bureau facilities, housed in partner institutions, that meet all physical and information security requirements for access to restricted–use micro data of the agencies whose data are accessed there.

Remote access to the IRS network via a secure VPN line using a government laptop issued and configured by IRS IT.

Remote access to the IRS network via secure VPN line using government laptop issued and configured by IRS IT.

Access at IRS Headquarters, Submission Processing Center, or other satellite (field) offices.

Title	Last Modified
National Survey of College Graduates RDG 2280 National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics	01-24-2025
National Survey of Recent College Graduates RDG 5469 National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics	01-24-2025
Survey of Earned Doctorates RDG 2281 National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics	01-24-2025
Survey of Doctorate Recipients RDG 2282 National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics	01-24-2025
Early Career Doctorates Survey RDG 5468 National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics	01-24-2025
Scientists and Engineers Statistical Data System RDG 5488 National Center for Science and Engineering Statistics	01-24-2025

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