What Is a CIP Code? CIP 2020 Structure, IPEDS Reporting, and Workforce Links

Updated: 2026 · Standard Owner: NCES (U.S. Department of Education) · Active taxonomy: CIP 2020 (current for 2026 reporting cycles) · Governance: Authority & Trust Hub

What is a CIP code? The Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP) is the U.S. federal statistical standard for classifying fields of study and instructional program completions (degrees, certificates, and other formal awards). CIP is maintained by NCES and is the common language used across major education datasets—especially IPEDS.

Why CIP exists

Educational programs are labeled differently across institutions (and even across departments). CIP creates a single, consistent taxonomy so program data can be collected, compared, and analyzed across schools, states, and federal reporting systems.

Plain-English framing: If NAICS classifies what businesses do, then CIP classifies what people study. CIP becomes most valuable when you connect education pipelines to occupations and labor market outcomes.

CIP code structure (3-level hierarchy)

CIP uses a three-level hierarchy that moves from broad program families to detailed instructional programs:

  • 2-digit series: broad program family (major field)
  • 4-digit series: intermediate category (specialization group)
  • 6-digit series: detailed instructional program (program-level reporting)
2-digit series
14

Engineering

4-digit series
14.08

Civil Engineering

6-digit series
14.0804

Transportation and Highway Engineering

How to use this
Choose the most specific match

Use 6-digit CIP for completions/outcomes. Use 2-digit for high-level summaries.

Data-cleaning pro-tip: Dots are standard for readability (14.0804), but many datasets store a “flat” format (140804). Normalize formatting before matching or joining tables.

How to read a CIP code

Read CIP from left to right: the first two digits identify the broad field, the next two refine the specialization, and the last two identify the detailed program.

Level Example What it represents
2-digit 14 Major field family (Engineering)
4-digit 14.08 Specialization group (Civil Engineering)
6-digit 14.0804 Detailed instructional program used for analysis and completions reporting

The Golden Path: CIP → SOC → NAICS

This is the most common “power user” workflow. CIP describes education output, SOC describes job roles, and NAICS describes employer industries. Together, they create a defensible bridge from completions to labor market demand.

Data flow for workforce and outcomes analysis

Education (what was studied) CIP 14.0804

Program completions for a defined instructional program.

Occupations (what work is done) SOC lookup

Maps instructional programs to job families and roles for analysis.

Industries (where jobs exist) NAICS context

Shows the employer side: which industries hire those occupations.

Make the SOC link prominent: If your user’s goal is workforce alignment, their next step is usually an occupation lookup. Use: SOC Code Lookup Directory.

IPEDS connection (operational relevance)

IPEDS (Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System) is the backbone of U.S. higher-ed reporting. For institutional researchers and administrators, CIP is the language of IPEDS—and the 6-digit CIP is the standard reporting level for completions.

Operational note: If you’re building reporting pipelines, treat CIP as a controlled vocabulary—store the code, the title, and the CIP vintage used for the reporting year.

STEM eligibility (power-user use case)

A major “power user” application for CIP is STEM eligibility in federal programs—especially where a subset of 6-digit CIP codes is used to define STEM-designated programs for visa or policy purposes.

  • Why this matters: eligibility rules often rely on specific CIP codes rather than program names.
  • Pro-tip: Always verify against the controlling list for your use case (example: DHS STEM Designated Degree Program List for OPT-related eligibility).

Who uses CIP codes?

  • Colleges & universities: classify programs and completions for standardized reporting.
  • IPEDS reporting teams: use 6-digit CIP for completions and program analysis.
  • State agencies: analyze pipelines, funding, and outcomes.
  • Federal agencies: workforce, education, and research programs rely on CIP alignment.
  • Researchers: connect education outputs to occupations, wages, and employment outcomes.

FAQ

  • What does a CIP code represent?
    A CIP code represents an instructional program or field of study, standardized for reporting and analysis across institutions and datasets.
  • What CIP version is used for 2026 reporting?
    CIP 2020 remains the current active taxonomy used across 2026 reporting cycles. For longitudinal analysis, record the CIP vintage and use crosswalks when comparing datasets across revisions.
  • Why do CIP codes include dots?
    Dots are used for readability (e.g., 14.0804). Many datasets store a flattened version (e.g., 140804). Normalize before joining.
  • Is CIP the same as an occupation code?
    No. CIP classifies programs of study; SOC classifies occupations. They are commonly linked for workforce analysis.
  • How is CIP used for STEM eligibility?
    Some federal programs define STEM using a specific subset of 6-digit CIP codes. Always verify the controlling list for your specific policy or reporting requirement.

Primary sources: Use NCES for the official CIP taxonomy and definitions, and use IPEDS guidance for reporting rules and survey requirements.