A bibliography of higher education statistical compilations published by the U.S. Office of Education, and in a few cases, other agencies or private organizations is presented. The bibliography covers the 1940s through 1980 and is divided into the following categories: general publications, finances, students (enrollment and degrees), faculty and staff, facilities, and libraries. Title, publication data, and pagination are followed by the Superintendent of Documents classification number, and an index of titles is included. The introduction to the bibliography briefly traces historical developments since 1840 regarding the compilation of educational statistics, and the different federal agencies that have been established or reorganized. From the beginning, collecting the statistical data required by law was difficult since no one at the state level knew the number of colleges within that state. It was discovered that little data on higher education existed since state education agencies focused their attention on elementary and secondary schools. Also lacking was consistency in the available data and definitions of terms. As time progressed, the educational establishment urged greater standardization of terminology, and statistics that were collected gained validity and usefulness in regard to financial and educational planning. The evolving role of the National Center for Education Statistics also is traced. (SW)