Reports and insights
Featured research
Research brief
First-generation status in context, part five: Enrollment, persistence, and degree completion by detailed parental education
Data Analytics and ResearchFebruary 23, 2026This research brief moves beyond the traditional first-generation binary, analyzing more than 30 specific combinations of parental education to demonstrate significant nuance in college enrollment and degree completion outcomes. The findings, which cluster into four patterns, offer a more precise lens for institutions to identify and tailor support for students.
![Cover page of report.]()
Application trend
February 1 deadline update
Data Analytics and ResearchFebruary 16, 2026Applicants and applications through February 1, 2026 are up year-over-year, with applicants applying to slightly more schools on average. First-generation applicants increased by 7% compared to this point during 2024-25, and applicants from below-median income ZIP codes grew at 8%.
![Screenshot of February 1 deadline update.]()
Research brief
Independent applicants for transfer admission: Contexts, experiences, and application portfolios
Data Analytics and ResearchJanuary 29, 2026Common App’s research brief examines the academic backgrounds, enrollment pathways, and application behaviors of independent transfer applicants using Common App. It highlights how factors such as prior coursework, time away from college, and proximity to institutions shape where these students apply and what they need to successfully transfer.
![Cover page of independent transfer brief.]()
