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Office of Research and Policy Analysis

​​Research

Welcome to the Office of Research and Policy Analysis (RPA). The Office is responsible for studies of higher education issues and other research projects conducted by the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC).  These analyses form the basis for Commission decisions regarding statewide higher education policy.

This site contains policy studies, data dashboards information reports, annual reports, and publications prepared by the Office.  The most recent materials produced by the Office are presented.  Older reports may​ appear in the Archives​.  Policy studies and information reports completed since 2010 appear by year.

Effective September 2019, the Office of Research and Policy Analysis formalized a data suppression policy for how it reports student data collected from institutions. Further information r​​​​​egarding this policy can be found here​. For questions or concerns regarding how student data is being used by RPA, please contact MHEC at rpa.mhec@maryland.gov.

The Maryland Higher Education Commission also publishes a number of reports mandated by Maryland Statute and the annual Maryland Joint Chairmen's Reports. For access to these reports, please see the​ ​Maryland Department of Legislative Services Legislative Library.​​​


Office Staff:

Barbara Schmertz, Ph.D., Director

​​Yuxin Lin, Ph.D., Associate Director

Frances Turner, Research and Policy Analyst

Eliza Kritz​, Research and Policy Analyst​

Ann Kellogg​, Ph.D., Director of Reporting Services, Maryland Longitudinal Data Systems Center


​​​​​​NEW RESEARCH AND DATA PRODUCTS

Interactive Data Dashboards 
MHEC's Interactive Data Dashboards serve as a resource for a variety of stakeholders and reflect important data that the agency collects. Those interested in using the data themselves can download the data displayed in each dashboard (please note that the downlaodable data sets are intended as a complementary resource, and do not necessarily include all data reflected in the dashboards). Follow the link here​ to access these PowerBI dashboards, the majority of which are updated annually.  

2023 Opening Fall Enrollment

​This report highlights preliminary data on fall 2023 enrollment submitted by Maryland colleges and universities. 
2023 Opening Fall Enrollment Dashboard (​and Downloadable Data Report)​​

Policy Brief Vol.2 - Baby Carrot and Big Stick: Does the Credit Requirement for Maryland Need- Based Aid Improve Student Academic Progression? ​

Beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year, Maryland college students receiving state need-based grants - Guaranteed Access (GA) or Educational Assistance (EA) Grant - for at least two years must meet the credit requirement in the prior academic year to renew their award. Both legislators and MHEC​ are concerned about the consequences of the credit requirement policy. How does it affect student academic progression and success? This report summarizes the main findings of a study conducted by MHEC in 2022 about the short-term and long-term effects of the credit requirement policy on student outcomes.

Interactive Dashboards

 
​​MHEC's Interactive Data Dashboards serve as a resource for a variety of stakeholders and reflect important data that the agency collects. Those interested in using the data themselves can download the data displayed in each dashboard (please note that the downloadable data sets are intended as complementary resource, and do not necessarily include all the data reflected in the dashboards). Follow the link here​ to access these PowerBI dashboards, the majority of which are updated annually. 


Data Book

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​The Maryland Higher Education Commission's published Data Book provides useful information about Maryland's postsecondary institutions.  

Up until 2022, MHEC's Data Book was published in print. Starting in 2023, the content of the Data Book is now in analytical dashboard format. Click the link here​ or use the side bar to access these interactive dashboards, organized by topic.

Use the links below to access the most recent five Data Book print publications. See the Archives​ for earlier editions.

2022​  |  2021​  | 2020​  |  2019  |  20​18​​ ​​​​​


Enrollment Reports

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Opening Fall Enrollment

This report highlights preliminary data on fall enrollment submitted by Maryland colleges and universities.

2023 - Dashboard (and Downloadable Data Report)

2022 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

2021 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

2020 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

20192018 

Enrollment by Term and Year

​This report provides information on enrollment by term and year.

Fall 2022 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)​

Fall 2021 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

Fall 2020 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

Fall 2019 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

Fall Enrollment by Place of Residence

This report provides information concerning the places of residence of students enrolled in Maryland institutions of higher education during the fall of the chosen year.

2022 - Maryland Residents Report (PDF) | Maryland Residents Data (Excel)

All Students Report (PDF) | All Students Data (Excel)​

2021 - Maryland Residents Report (PDF) | Maryland Residents Data (Excel)

All Students Report (PDF) | All Students Data (Excel)

2020 - Maryland Residents Report (PDF) | Maryland Residents Data (Excel)

All Students Report (PDF) | All Students Data (Excel)

2019 - Maryland Residents Report (PDF) | Maryland Residents Data (Excel)

All Students Report (PDF) | All Students Data (Excel)

2018

Trends in Fall Enrollment by Program

This report provides trend data on enrollment, grouped by program in which the student is enrolled.

2022 - Report (PDF)​ | Data (Excel)

​Trends in Fall Enrollment by Race and Gender

This report provides trend data on student enrollment, grouped by race and gender.

2022 - Statewide Report (PDF) | Statewide Data (Excel)
Segment Report (PDF)​ | Segment Data (Excel)​​​​

Distance Education at Maryland Colleges and Universities

This report examines trends in distance learning and analyzes data from distance education activities derived from MHEC Distance Education Surveys, and from MHEC’s Distance Education Survey and Report.

2023 - Dashboard  |  Data (Excel)​

2022 2021​  |  2019  |  20​14   |   20​11   |   2008   |   2006   |   2005​

​Enrollment Projections

This report provides perspective to higher education policy discussions at the state level, including facilities planning, tuition and fees issues, articulation, funding priorities, and retention and graduation rates.

2023-2032​​​​ | 2022-2031​​ | 2021-2030 | 2020-2029 | 2019-2028

Student Outcomes

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​RETENTION, GRADUATION, AND TRANSFER REPORTS

​Retention, Graduation, and Transfer at Maryland Community Colleges

This report provides retention, graduation, and transfer rates for first-time, full-time students entering Maryland community colleges. The report includes information on student outcomes between one and four years following matriculation.

2023 - Dashboard​ (and Downloadable Data Report) 

​2022 - Dashboard​  |  Data (Excel)

2021 - Da​ta (Excel)​

2020 - Data (Excel)

2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 

Degree Progress Analysis

The traditional model of calculating retention and graduation rates defines a cohort as all students entering first-time, full-time within a specified term or year. The Degree Progress Analysis (DPA) utilizes a cohort defined by student behavior, and further divided by college readiness at the time of entry to the institution. This dashboard examines student success as defined by the Degree Progress Analysis model.

Degree Progress Analysis 2014-18​

Retention and Graduation, Maryland Four-Year Institutions

This report presents data on the retention and graduation rates of first-time, full-time undergraduate students who initially enroll at four-year colleges and universities in the state of Maryland. The graduation trends in this report include undergraduate students who persisted at and graduated from the campus at which they initially enrolled, as well as those who transferred to and then graduated from any of the four-year colleges or universities in Maryland.

2023 - Dashboard |​ Data (Excel)

2022 - Da​ta (Excel)​

2021 - Data (Excel)

2020 - Data (Excel)

2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 

Performance of Community College Transfer Students at Public Four-Year Colleges and Universities

This report is composed of a set of tables showing, by campus, the performance of students who were enrolled at a Maryland community college, who later transferred to a Maryland public four-year institution.

2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010

Undergraduate Transfers Among Maryland Public Institutions

This report is composed of a set of tables showing, by campus, the undergraduate students who were enrolled in Maryland public colleges, who later transferred to another Maryland public college.

2021-2022 - Report ​(PDF) | Data​ (Excel) 

2020-2021 - Report (PDF) | Data​ (Excel)

2019-2020

2018-2019 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

2017-2018 

Report on Students with Disabilities at Maryland Colleges and Universities

This report presents data on students who registered with disability services at Maryland colleges and universities and provides analysis of retention and completion data for those students.

2023​ | 2022​ | 2021​ | 2020 | 2019

​Graduate Follow-Up Survey Reports - Community Colleges

The Community College Graduate Follow-Up Survey was a survey of community college certificate and associate degree graduates a year after they completed their program. The reports generated from this survey provided information on completers’ perceptions of the quality of their institutional experience, post-graduation educational and employment statuses, and other related outcomes. The final iteration of this survey was in 2016.

2016   |   2014   |   2011   |   2008   |   2005

Graduate Follow-Up Survey Reports - Four-Year Colleges and Universities

The Four-Year College and University Graduate Follow-Up Survey was a statewide survey of baccalaureate graduates from Maryland four-year public institutions and independent institutions, to help the State and campuses better understand student outcomes. The final iteration of this survey was in 2016.

2016   |   2013   |   2010   |   2007   |   2004

Student Outcomes and Achievement Report

This report was the Maryland Higher Education Commission’s response to the General Assembly’s 1988 charge to improve information to high schools and local school systems concerning the performance of their graduates at the college level. The final iteration of this report was produced in 2021.

2021​  |  2010   |   2008   |   2006   |   2001


​DEGREE REPORTS​​

​Trends in Degrees and Certificat​es By Program

This report provides trend data on degree and certificate completion, grouped by each program exited.

2023 - Report (PDF) | Data (Excel)

Trends in Degrees and Certificates By Race and Gender

This report provides trend data on student degree and certificate completion, grouped by race and gender.

2023 - Statewide Report (PDF) | Statewide Data (Excel)

2023 - Segment Report (PDF) | Segment Data (Excel)​​​​


Degree Productivity at Maryland Public Four-Year Institutions

This report provides information on degree productivity at Maryland’s public four-year institutions using the measure of “degrees per 100 students” for both bachelor’s and graduate degrees. Degrees per 100 students provides an assessment of institutional effectiveness on degree productivity over time, which can be used to compare data from other states, and takes into account all students for all degree types regardless of their enrollment or entry status.

2019 | 2018

Degrees per All

This report provides information on degree productivity at Maryland’s four-year public institutions using the measure Degrees per All (DpAll), which is a derivative of the measure degrees per 100 students. DpAll incorporates identifiable characteristics, such as race/ethnicity and gender, into assessing degree productivity to provide a more inclusive degree attainment measure. The data address trends from 2014 to 2018 for certain undergraduate populations.​

2020​

Performance Accountability Reports

 

​​​The annual Performance Accountability Report (PAR) provides an opportunity for the State, the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC), colleges and universities, and individual governing boards to review and evaluate institutions' efforts to advance the goals of the state and fulfill their missions.  

2023​​​  |  2022​  |  2021  |  2020

2019 - Vol. 1  |  Vol. 2


Financial Aid

 

​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​Maryland Student Financial Support Reports

The Financial Aid Information System (FAIS) provides information on financial aid recipients, and the amounts of aid they receive during each fiscal year.​

2021-2022- Undergraduate Segment Report (PDF) | Undergraduate Segment Data (Excel)​
Undergraduate Institution Report (PDF) | Undergraduate Institution​ Data (Excel)
Graduate Segment Report (PDF) | Graduate Segment Data​ (Excel)
Graduate Institution Report (PDF) | Graduate Institution​ Data​​ (Excel)​

2020-2021 - Undergraduate Segment Report (PDF) | Undergraduate Segment Data (Excel)​
Undergraduate Institution Report (PDF) | Undergraduate Institution​ Data (Excel)
Graduate Segment Report (PDF) | Graduate Segment Data​ (Excel)
Graduate Institution Report (PDF) | Graduate Institution​ Data​ (Excel)​

2019-2020 - Undergraduate Segment Report (​PDF) | Undergraduate Segment Data (Excel)
Undergraduate Institution Report (PDF) | Undergraduate Institution Data (Excel)
Graduate Segment Report (PDF) | Graduate Segment Data (Excel)
Graduate Institution Report (PDF) | Graduate Institution Data (Excel)

2018-2019 - Private Career School Report (PDF) | Private Career School Data (Excel)
Private Institution Report (PDF) | Private Institution Data (Excel)
Segment Report (PDF) | Undergraduate Segment Data (Excel) |
Graduate Segment Data (Excel) | Institution Report (PDF) |
Undergraduate Institution Data (Excel)
Graduate Institution Data (Excel)

2017-2018 - Segment Report (PDF) | Segment Data (Excel)
Institution Report (PDF) | Institution Data (Excel)

2016-2017 | 2015-2016

​​​​​​​​Pell Grant Recipients at Maryland Colleges and Universities

The Federal Pell Grant Program is designed to help low-income undergraduate students. This dashboard explores the following research questions: 1) What is the share of undergraduate students who received Pell grants at Maryland colleges and universities? What is the average Pell grant amount received by students? How do these numbers change from academic year 2013-14 to academic year 2019-20? 2) How does the demographic profile differ for Maryland undergraduate students who do and do not receive Pell grants? 3) What other types of financial aid do Maryland Pell grant students receive? How does that compare to undergraduates who do not receive Pell? 4) How do need, unmet need, and EFC differ for Maryland​ undergraduate students who do and do not receive Pell grants?​

Dashboard

Institutional Aid, Pell Grants, and Loan Data by Expected Family Contribution

This report provides detailed data on financial aid awarded by each community college, public four-year institution, and independent institution. Specifically, this includes information regarding institutional aid, Pell grants, and student loans, by expected family contribution level.

2023​  |  2022​  |  2021  |  2020  |  2019 

​Unmet Need and Student Success at Maryland Public 4-Year Institutions

This report examines the impact of financial need on student success.

2016   |   2014   |   2013   |   2007

Policy Brief Vol.2 - Baby Carrot and Big Stick: Does the Credit Requirement for Maryland Need- Based Aid Improve Student Academic Progression? 

​Beginning in the 2018-2019 academic year, Maryland college students receiving state need-based grants - Guaranteed Access (GA) or Educational Assistance (EA) Grant - for at least two years must meet the credit requirement in the prior academic year to renew their award. Both legislators and MHEC are concerned about the consequences of the credit requirement policy. How does it affect student academic progression and success? This report summarizes the main findings of a study conducted by MHEC in 2022 about the short-term and long-term effects of the credit requirement policy on student outcomes.

Study of Relationship Between Student Persistence, Financial Assistance, and Expected Family Contribution

This study will examine the second year retention rate of new full-time undergraduates at Maryland public two- and four-year colleges and universities who had financial need on the basis of the amount and type of financial assistance they received, their expected family contribution (EFC), and the amount of unmet need that they experienced.

2007   |   2004-2005

Report on Nonresident Tuition Waivers for Children of Undocumented Immigrants

This report provides information regarding the numbers and dollar amoung of nonresident tuition waivers provided to qualified children of undocumented immigrants.

2023 ​2022  |  2021  |  2020  |  2019  |  2018 ​​

Report on Maryland Foster Care Tuition Waiver and Maryland Unaccompanied Homeless Youth Tuition Waiver recipients

This report is based upon institutional submissions that detail the number of enrolled students who (1) received the specified tuition exemption during the prior academic year at their institution; (2) received the specified tuition exemption at any point during their enrollment at the institution; and (3) earned a bachelor's degree, associate degree, or certificate from the institution during the prior academic year.

2023​2022​ | 2021​  |  2020  |  2019  |  2018  |  2017

Report on Recipients of Out-of-County or Out-of-Region Fee Waivers for Victims of Human Trafficking

Trustees of Maryland community colleges may adopt policies granting resident tuition status for individuals residing out of the service area if those individuals have been victims of human trafficking. This report contains information on the number of individuals receiving a waiver of the out-of-county or out-of-region fee. 

2023 ​2022​  |  2021​  |  2020

Student and Academic Affairs

 

​​2023 Report on Advising Systems and Wrap-around Services​

In the 2023 Legislative Session, the Legislature charged the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) with surveying Maryland's colleges and universities on practices related to academic advising and student services. This report contains a summary of the results of the survey and concludes with information and recommenadtions on steps institutions and the state could take in the areas of academic advising, wrap around services, and student parents.

Report​

Faculty Equity Dashb​oard 

Addressing issues of diversity, equity and inclusion is central to Maryland’s postsecondary institution success. An important aspect of this is faculty diversity, which can enhance the breadth, depth and quality of research and teaching. This dashboard focuses on faculty diversity, providing analysis through the lens of equity in faculty race and gender. Specifically, it explores the following research questions. For public segments of higher education in Maryland, how is the faculty race/ethnicity and gender related to academic rank? What changes are observed over time? For public segments of higher education in Maryland, how is faculty race/ethnicity and gender related to salary? What changes are observed over time? How do the interplay of race/ethnicity, gender, faculty rank and salary change within the context of STEM faculty specifically? 

Faculty Equity Dashboard​


​​​Policy Brief Vol. 1 - Supporting Transfer Success: Evidence-Based Lessons and Recommendations

​Transfer student success is an increasingly important subject in higher education policy circles in recent years. However, transfer students complete bachelor’s degrees at notably lower rates than their counterparts starting at four-year institutions.  Improving transfer student outcomes will be integral to meeting the goal of 55% or more of Marylanders holding at least an associate degree by 2025. This policy brief explores the challenges transfer students experience and provides evidence-based policy recommendations by summarizing the findings from rigorous empirical research on the subject.



2021 Report on Assessment Tools

​In the 2021 Legislative Session, the Maryland Legislature charged the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) with collecting information and reports from Maryland’s colleges and universities on their internal validity studies in an effort to identify the most effective assessment methods used to place students in remedial courses. MHEC surveyed all Maryland institutions on their remedial assessment practices and collected reports and​ validity studies. This report contains a summary of the studies submitted by institutions and provides several recommendations based upon a review of the relevant and contemporary applied research on best practices around remedial course placement.​​​​

Report  |  Appen​dices


​Best Practices and Annual Progress Towards 55% Completion Goal

This report tracks Maryland's progress toward having at least 55% of its residents age 25-64 holding at least one degree credential by 2025.

2023 Progress Report ​

2023 Supplemental Report​ | 20222021​ | 2020 | 2019 


​Report on Campus Climate and Sexual Violence at Maryland Colleges and Universities

This biennial report summarizes the results of sexual assault campus climate surveys conducted at Maryland's colleges and universities, including information on incidents of sexual assault and other sexual misconduct. This report also includes an analysis of the findings in the context of the larger national landscape of sexual assault on college campuses.

2022​ | 2020​  |  2018  Vol.1,  Vol.2  |  2016  ​​Vol. 1,  Vol. 2


​Student Learning Outcomes Assessment Reports

This analysis is conducted periodically to review the assessment of undergraduate student learning at Maryland public colleges and universities. Because of the wide range of missions and student populations at Maryland institutions, there are no common standards for student outcomes. For this reason, institutions are expected to demonstrate how assessment of learning leads to improvements in teaching and learning, rather than demonstrating student progress toward a specific target.

2021​   |   2016  Vol. 1,  Vol. 2​   |   2011  Vol. 1,  Vol. 2   |   2007   |   2004   |   2001   |   1998   |   1995


​Remediation in Maryland Higher Education

​​​​​This series of briefs examines the impact of college-level remediation on students' success in Maryland public colleges and universities. This series provides an overview of remediation and associated policy issues at postsecondary institutions and an analysis of who is assessed to need remediation, who enrolls in and completes both remedial and credit-bearing courses, first-year outcomes, and persistence and completion. 

Part 1: What is Remediation, and Why Does It Matter?​

Part 2: Remedial Assessment at Maryland Colleges and Universities

Part 3: Remedial Course Completion Within the First Year of Enrollment​

Part 4: Credit-Bearing Course Completion Within the First Year of Enrollment​

Part 5: First-Year Outcomes

Part 6: Second-Year Retention

Remediation Series Summary


Report on Programs of Cultural Diversity at Maryland Colleges and Universities

This report contains information regarding programs established at Maryland colleges and universities designed to increase cultural diversity on their campuses.

2023​2022  |  2021  |  2020 

2019  -  vol.1  |  vol. 2  |  vol. 3

2018  -  vol. 1  |  vol. 2


​​​​Opening Spring Enrollment 2021

​The 2020-2021 Academic Year has been greatly shaped by the COVID-19 pandemic, which has presented numerous challenges for students, higher education institutions, the faculty and staff they employ, and the communities with which they engage. This dashboard presents preliminary spring enrollment data for state and national colleges and universities. ​

Dashboard: Opening Spring Enrollment 2021​​

​​​

Data Collection and Reporting

 

​​Maryland Annual Collection Revision Report

Maryland Annual Collection (MAC) is the core series of public data collections from Maryland postsecondary institutions. Data collected through the MAC allows MHEC to produce financial, research, and policy reports on critical higher education topics.

2012

Research Analysis Workgroup Recommendations for Standard Reporting of Multi-Race Data

This report provides recommendations for collection of multi-race data from Maryland postsecondary institutions.

2010​​​

Teacher Education

 

​​​Study of the Capacity of Maryland's Teacher Preparation Programs

This study examines the capacity of teacher preparation programs at Maryland colleges and universities to increase their production of new teachers.

2006​


ARCHIVES ​ contains archived policy studies, information reports, annual reports, and publications prepared by the Office of Research and Policy Analysis.


For more information about any of the publications listed, please contact the Maryland Higher Education Commission at (410) 767-3300 or webmgr.mhec@maryland.gov.  When requesting data, please include your name, telephone number, and email address.

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The Maryland General Assembly’s Office of Legislative Audits operates a toll-free fraud hotline to receive allegations of fraud and/or abuse of State government resources. Information reported to the hotline in the past has helped to eliminate certain fraudulent activities and protect State resources.

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