DESSE 2026
This page serves as a primer for registration. The information below is meant to be reviewed prior to entering the registration form so that major questions about administration can be answered ahead of time. All rates and deadlines presented below are specific to the 2026 survey administration.
For a brief overview of the DESSE 2026 administration, Start Here.
Base Pricing
These rates are based on fall Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) total headcount enrollment in credit classes.*
The base price of DESSE covers multiple services related to the survey administration, a dedicated college liaison for real-time support, data analyses, and reporting.
Note: For multi-college institutions and single colleges with multiple campuses, pricing is determined by IPEDS/accreditation status.
| Enrollment Size | DESSE 2026 Base Price | Target Number of Respondents |
| Fewer than 1,500 | $3,900 | Call for more information. |
| 1,500–4,499 | $8,150 | ~600 |
| 4,500–7,999 | $10,950 | ~800 |
| 8,000–14,999 | $13,800 | ~1,000 |
| 15,000–21,999 | $16,400 | ~1,200 |
| 22,000 or more | $20,900 | ~1,500 |
*For a number of purposes related to the work of CCCSE, it is important that we rely on publicly reported data that will ensure a degree of consistency and reliability across highly diverse institutions. For that reason, CCCSE bases its survey administration fees and sampling numbers on enrollment data reported by IPEDS. In addition, CCCSE uses IPEDS data on certain variables describing college student populations, including student age, race/ethnicity, full-time vs. part-time enrollment, etc.
Multi-campus institutions that report to IPEDS as single entities and would like to receive campus-level reporting should contact info@cccse.org for administration design and pricing inquiries.
Invoices for DESSE will be sent to college presidents on or around April 1, 2026, with payment due June 1, 2026.
Eligibility
All accredited associate degree-granting colleges are eligible to participate in CCCSE surveys.
For colleges that award both associate and baccalaureate degrees, CCCSE surveys are the appropriate choice when the majority of degrees awarded are at the associate level.
Available Discounts
If a college is eligible for more than one discount, only the discount of highest value applies.
Commitment to Administer CCSSE and SENSE
Administer both CCSSE and the Survey of Entering Student Engagement (SENSE) in either the same academic year or the same calendar year and receive up to a 40% discount on the base price of the second administration of the pair (percentage is dependent upon combination of other discounts, if any). The college will be billed for each survey administration during each survey’s normal billing cycle, unless other arrangements have been made. This discount applies only to a pair of back-to-back administrations of CCSSE and SENSE.
Discount for New Colleges
For colleges that are new to CCCSE surveys (have never participated in either CCSSE or SENSE), CCCSE offers a one-time 25% discount on the base fee of the first survey administration. For new colleges that register for the subsequent survey, the base fee of the second survey will be discounted 15%.
Discount for Statewide Consortia
Members of statewide consortia receive a 15% discount on the base price. A statewide consortium consists of all colleges in a state or state system. For statewide consortium colleges that register for the subsequent survey, the base fee of the second survey will be discounted 25%.
Contact CCCSE at info@cccse.org or 512-471-6807 for more information about discounts.
Administration Modality
Colleges can administer DESSE in randomly selected classes or as a fully online survey. Both administration modalities contain the same survey items.
Online administration: The survey link is shared broadly to a census sample of all survey eligible students. Colleges promote survey participation in various ways, including via e-mail, text messaging, or the Learning Management System. Students typically take the survey in their own time using their personal computers, smartphones, or tablets. Colleges considering an online administration should review the Online CCSSE FAQs and the primer CCSSE online administration response rates.
In-Class administration: CCCSE selects a stratified random sample of in-person courses in which the survey will be administered. After the college approves the sample, CCCSE prepares and ships survey packets to the Campus Coordinator for each selected class.
- Device-Based: The survey packets contain administration instructions, an administration script, and QR code cards with the survey link. Students complete the survey using their own personal computer, smartphone, or tablet (or one provided by the college). Although the college will not need to ship anything back to CCCSE, all surveys must be completed by the May survey deadline. Colleges administering the in-class device-based survey have achieved comparable response rates to those administering on paper. Beyond the in-class administration, colleges administering the device-based survey can share the survey link directly with all online-only students. If you have any questions about the device-based administration, please e-mail surveyops@cccse.org.
Special Customized Reports or Data Analysis
Special reports on survey results, tailored in response to requests, may be provided for an additional fee, starting at $500.
Contact data@cccse.org for consultation and pricing.
Invoicing and Payment
Invoices for DESSE 2026 and any additional administration options will be sent electronically to the college (cc: CCSSE contact) president on or around April 1, 2026, with payment due June 1, 2026. In some cases, invoices for additional administration options may be issued separately. Pricing information can be found above on this page. Access to the CCSSE online reporting system is dependent upon payment.
If an alternative invoicing or payment arrangement is desired, contact info@cccse.org or 512-471-6807.
CCCSE is part of The University of Texas at Austin, and as such the University is the vendor for all CCCSE surveys and services. On the University’s behalf, CCCSE can accept payments via check or ACH/EFT. The University’s Tax ID is 74-6000-203. CCCSE cannot accept credit card payments. E-payment information is available upon request. Please note that due to recent changes in USPS routes, our remittance address has changed. Checks should be made payable to The University of Texas at Austin. Payment instructions also will be included on the invoices.
Should you require a cost estimate in advance of invoicing for budgeting or pre-approval purposes, a W-9, or other vendor paperwork, please contact info@cccse.org.
Please note that while CCCSE does not require purchase orders for the survey administration, many colleges do require a purchase order to procure goods and services. CCCSE will accept purchase orders from these colleges and reference them in respective invoices. If the purchase order includes specific billing instructions, CCCSE will send the invoice accordingly rather than to the college president.
NEW Remittance Address:
The University of Texas at Austin
ATTN: CCCSE
PO Box 301136
Austin, TX 78703
Cancellation/Refund Policy
If a college withdraws at any time after the college distributes the online survey link, there will be a cancellation fee equivalent to 25% of the total base fee. If payment has already been made, the college may elect to have the appropriate amount refunded or to have the remaining balance applied as a credit toward future services. If payment has not yet been made at the time of withdrawal, the college will receive an invoice for the appropriate amount, as stipulated in this policy.
Contact CCCSE at info@cccse.org or 512-471-6807 should questions about the cancellation policy arise.
