The NSCG collects information from college graduates living in the United States of America. The NSCG began in the 1970s and was redesigned in 1993. The survey provides data on the number and characteristics of individuals with a bachelor's or higher degree, with a special focus on individuals with education and/or employment in science or engineering. Participants are selected via census lists and include non-institutionalised individuals living in the United States of America under the age of 76 who have completed at least a bachelor's degree. Participants are followed up every two to three years for a decade after they complete the baseline survey. Each year, approximately 50,000 to 160,000 participants complete the survey (including those being followed up from previous years).

Recruitment is ongoing