National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE)

Spring 2026 Administration: Information for CSU College Faculty and Staff


What is NSSE?

The National Survey of Student Engagement (NSSE, pronounced “Nessie”) is a nationally recognized survey instrument administered by the Indiana University Center for Postsecondary Research. Since 2000, nearly 1,700 bachelor’s-granting colleges and universities have used NSSE to assess the quality of undergraduate education.

Key Purpose: NSSE measures how students spend their time and what they gain from attending college by assessing their participation in empirically validated “good practices” in undergraduate education—activities linked to learning outcomes, personal development, student satisfaction, persistence, and graduation.

What NSSE Measures

  • The amount of time and effort students invest in their studies and educationally purposeful activities
  • How the institution deploys resources and organizes learning opportunities to promote student participation in effective educational practices
  • Ten Engagement Indicators across four themes: Academic Challenge, Learning with Peers, Experiences with Faculty, and Campus Environment
  • Participation in six High-Impact Practices (HIPs) such as internships, study abroad, service-learning, and research with faculty
  • *NEW* Experimental items about use and opinions of generative artificial intelligence (AI)

This year, students will receive the Academic Advising module—a set of focused questions about students’ advising experiences.

Survey Administration Details


Target Population:

  • First-year and senior students 

Delivery Method:

  • Students receive personalized email invitations from [email protected] with unique survey links
  • Survey can also be accessed through RamWeb or nssesurvey.org
  • Survey takes approximately 15–20 minutes to complete

Confidentiality:

  • All student responses are confidential
  • Individual responses are not shared with faculty or administrators
  • NSSE adheres to strict data security and privacy protocols

2026 Timeline

Key Message to Students

Rams, we want to hear from you!
Your voice matters. The National Survey of Student Engagement gives you an opportunity to share your experiences and help us improve the educational environment for current and future students. Your honest feedback takes just 15–20 minutes and directly influences decisions about programs, services, and policies that affect your college experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can we see results by college or major?
A: Yes, with sufficient response rates, we can disaggregate data by college, major, enrollment status, and other variables while maintaining confidentiality.

Q: How long does the survey take?
A: Approximately 15–20 minutes, though this varies based on individual responses.

Q: What response rate should we aim for?
A: National average is around 20–30%, but higher response rates (40%+) provide more reliable data for subgroup analyses.

Q: Are there incentives for students?
A: Yes! The first 300 students who complete the survey will receive a CSU branded laptop/water bottle sticker. All students who complete the survey will be entered into a drawing for a CSU plushie or keychain (100 students) or a $25 Bookstore gift card (25 students).

Q: When will we see the results?
A: Reports are typically delivered in early fall following the spring administration, with CSU dashboards available by late fall.

Questions About NSSE?

For more information about NSSE at CSU, please contact:

Stephanie Foster, PhD
Director of Assessment
[email protected]

National Survey of Student Engagement
Center for Postsecondary Research
Indiana University School of Education

Learn more at nsse.indiana.edu