Comparing the Graduate Follow up Study (GFS) and the College Enrollment Study (CES)
As data sources for information on graduates' post-secondary activities, the GFS and CES are often confused for one another. The following table provides information on commonly asked questions about the similarities and differences between the two studies.
Graduates Included |
Only those with SSNs (60% statewide) |
All Graduates |
Match Protocol |
SSN only |
Name & Date of Birth |
Employment |
NW States: WA, OR, ID, MT, and Federal Govt. |
None |
College Enrollment |
NW States (Mostly Public Colleges, Few Private & Apprentice) |
Nationwide, Public, Private, and WA Apprentice |
Data Sources |
Employment Security, Public Colleges |
National Student Clearinghouse Supplemented by Public WA Colleges |
State Report Contents |
Industry, wages, CTE Cluster,
Combinations of work & college,
college enrollment, and remediation by
gender & ethnicity |
Enrollments at specific colleges by
gender and ethnicity. Additional
studies could include remediation,
persistence, and degree attainment |
Website for State Reports |
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Cost for Local Data |
1st year follow up is free;
multi-year follow up for small cost |
Subscription to
NSC "student tracker"
plus a small production cost to SESRC |
Historical Data |
Available back to Class of 2000 |
Available back to 2003 Improved data as of Class of 2006 |
Project Website |