A core responsibility of the ATS Commission on Accrediting is “to collect data from all members of ATS for use in accrediting and to provide the data resources supporting applied research undertaken by ATS” (COA Bylaws 1.2). The Annual Data Tables fulfill this responsibility by summarizing institutional-level data submitted each year by all member schools.

This data has been published annually since 1969. From 1969 through 2002, it was included as part of the Fact Book on Theological Education. Beginning in 2003, the data has been published in its current format. These tables offer the only longitudinal dataset of its kind focused on accredited graduate theological education in North America. This unique resource offers schools, denominations, funders, researchers, and the broader public a window into changing patterns in enrollment, degree programs, institutional characteristics, and more.

While ATS organizes and shares these data to support transparency and research, they are not offered by ATS in the context of mandating demographic or programmatic changes. The information is a service that ATS provides so that schools may interpret and apply the information within their own contexts and commitments.