Definitions of Analysis Variables

• Institutional type: public 2-year, private 2-year, public 4-year, private 4-year. Type was created from a combination of level (2-year, 4-year) and control (public, private). Two-year institutions are defined as institutions at which the highest level of offering is at least 2 but less than 4 years (below the baccalaureate degree); 4-year institutions are those at which the highest level of offering is 4 or more years (baccalaureate or higher degree).13 Private comprises private nonprofit and private for-profit institutions; these private institutions are reported together because there are too few private for-profit institutions in the sample for this survey to report them as a separate category.
• Size of institution: less than 3,000 students (small); 3,000 to 9,999 students (medium); and 10,000 or more students (large).

Sampling and Nonsampling Errors

The response data were weighted to produce national estimates (see Table A-1). The weights were designed to adjust for the variable probabilities of selection and differential nonresponse. The findings in this report are estimates based on the sample selected and, consequently, are subject to sampling variability.