Data and Research Resources

Education Data

The National Center for Educational Statistics

This site hosts the College Navigator (formerly IPEDS COOL), which provides an easy way to look up educational institutions. To download information from multiple institutions, use the IPEDS Data Center.

Statewide Public 4-year Higher Education Dashboard

Provided by Washington's Office of Financial Management's Education Research and Data Center, as mandated by new legislation (E2SHB 1795) and passed by the legislature in Spring 2011.

Washington State Report Card

Provided by the Washington State Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Washington Student Achievement Council

The Council posts information about Washington educational institutions. See Planning and Research.

Population and Demographic Data

The U.S. Census Bureau 

Population and demographic information by geographic areas (i.e. census tracts, cities, metropolitan statistical areas, counties, zip codes, states, U.S.). The U.S. Census Bureau American FactFinder gives you quick access to this information.

The QuickFacts page is a fast and easy way to look for census data at several geographic levels.

Thurston Regional Planning Council

The Council's document, The Profile, includes up-to-date population and demographic information at the county, city and Tribe levels.

Puget Sound Regional Council

Data primarily for the region that includes King, Pierce, and Kitsap counties. Check their Regional Data and Publications.

Washington Office of Financial Management

A source of both demographic information and information specific to higher education. You can also view the Washington State Data Book, which is a compilation of information from multiple agencies about Washington’s population, economy, government, finance, human services, criminal justice, education, environmental resources, energy and transportation.

Economic Data

U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

U.S. Census Bureau Economic Census

Provides information about the national, regional or local economy, including statistics on industry sectors.

Washington State Employment Security Department

The Legislative Evaluation and Accountability Performance Committee provides interactive wealth of fiscal and budget information on Washington State Fiscal Information. Detailed data are available at the statewide and individual agency levels. See also economic data and links for more information.

Tips for Research Presentations

The following are resources to aid in planning presentations:

Using maps and photographs
Preparing a poster presentation