This database contains the number of public, non-profit, and for-profit degree-granting institutions.  Degree-granting institutions grant associate or higher degrees and participate in Title IV federal financial aid programs. See institution types for additional information. Years reflect the first year of a traditional academic calendar, i.e., from the fall of one year to late spring of the following year.    

• Figures for for-profit institutions are not available before 2007.  In 1995-1998 and 2001-2003, new institutions which did not have sufficient data to report by detailed level are included under "other 4-year" or 2-year depending on the level reported by the institution. 
• Branch campuses are counted as separate institutions. 
• Special focus universities include institutions classified as 4-year under the Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) system, which had been classified as 2-year because they primarily award associate's degrees. 
• Levels of research activity for research universities are determined by an analysis of research and development expenditures, science and engineering research staffing, and doctoral degrees conferred, by field.