Evidence-Based Improvement
in Higher Education

New Lessons from the Field!

Lessons From the Field is a growing repository of practical ideas for NSSE institutions' evidence-based assessment and improvement initiatives. Read more than 120 data use stories and gain inspiration for your institution. 

Learn from other institutions on a variety of topics, including:

• Finding Self in Community: Lessons from Texas Christian University’s Use of NSSE to Cultivate Belonging 
• The Power of Promotion and Collaboration with Northern Michigan University's Approaches to Increase NSSE Response Rates
• Unlocking NSSE’s Open-Ended Data with AI at the University at Buffalo 
• University of Delaware Builds Strategy Around NSSE 
• Dashboards, Response Rates, and Data Sharing at Ohio University 

Check out the New Lessons from the Field

NSSE & FSSE 2025 Institutional Results Available

Institutional results for colleges and universities that participated in NSSE & FSSE 2025 are available! 

The Institutional Report provides detailed information about results alongside those of comparison institutions, presented in formats suitable for a wide range of users.

Approximately 930,000 first-year and senior students from 395 institutions (382 in the US, 6 in Canada, and 7 in other countries) were invited to participate in NSSE 2025. Of this population, 179,484 students responded to the survey. First-year and senior students were about equally represented among the respondent population.

Additionally, NSSE continues to release Annual Results. Engagement Insights is an annual dissemination of research findings and institutional stories, and more focused themed Special Reports will be issued throughout the year.

Read Annual Results

Search NSSE's Institution Participation History

Upcoming Dates

January 21-23

NSSE & FSSE staff at AAC&U Annual Meeting

February 10

NSSE 2026 survey administration launches

February 15-18

NSSE & BCSSE staff at the Annual Conference on The First-Year Experience

Early March

BCSSE 2026 registration opens

FSSE administrations begin

View Full NSSE 2026 Administration Timeline

Each of NSSE's surveys contains its own registration window and price. Discover how and when to register for each survey, as well as the price point for each survey, by visiting the corresponding link below.

NSSE Registration

FSSE Registration

BCSSE Registration

NSSE provides a plethora of useful data that must be packaged and interpreted in order to best assist institutions with their campus improvement efforts. Use the links below for aid throughout the process.

NSSE Data User's Guide

Lessons From The Field

Institution Data Display Examples

Wondering exactly what is featured on each NSSE survey? View the individual items on each of our surveys, as they are presented to students and faculty, by visiting the corresponding link below.

NSSE Survey Items

FSSE Survey Items

BCSSE Survey Items

Institutions can customize our surveys to their specific needs, including Topical Modules, Consortia, and Open-Ended Student Comments, as well as administration methods and reporting data.

Customization Options

NSSE Topical Modules

Customizing FSSE

After customizing NSSE and/or our other surveys to individual needs, institutions must promote the surveys on their campuses to ensure quality response rates and accurate data. NSSE offers helpful tips for these efforts.

Tips to Promote Surveys

Promotion Examples

IRB-Approved Content

NSSE delivers survey results in the form of several reports, including a Snapshot Report, a High-Impact Practices Report, a Multi-Year Report, a Comparison Report, a Major Field Report, and more.

Sample NSSE Reports

NSSE Report Builder

Interactive NSSE Data Displays