WRDS (Wharton Research Data Services): Overview

WRDS (Wharton Research Data Services) is online research data platform that provides access to financial, accounting, regulatory, banking, economics, and marketing data.  It is to be used for academic and non-commercial purposes.

WRDS is available to current Columbia University Faculty, staff, and students. The following users can request an individual account:

• Faculty: Accounts are available to all Columbia University faculty.  Faculty who wish to transfer their account from their previous institution may use the Account Transfer Request Form.
• PhD Students:  Additional information may requested to confirm your PhD status.
• Masters Students:  Masters students have access to WRDS for the academic year. 
• Research Assistant:  Research Assistant accounts are available to students and staff working as Research Assistant.  Please include the name of your faculty sponsor/supervisor in the registration form to avoid delays in approving your account request. 
• Visiting Faculty:  Additional information may requested to confirm your visiting status.

Eligible Columbia affiliates may register for a WRDS account at:  https://wrds-www.wharton.upenn.edu/register/

Request are processed in 24-48 hours.  Additional information may be requested.

NOTE:  The sharing of username and password is strictly prohibited.  Violating this rule will lead to the loss of your individual account and may result in loss of access for all Columbia University users. 

Faculty may request a class account for use by students in a specific course. The request must include the class start and end date.  Students will only have access to WRDS during that time to complete class assignments.  

Undergraduates are not eligible for individual accounts.  Undergraduates may access WRDS from work stations at the Library in Uris Hall.  Library staff may direct you to these stations.  

Undergraduates who need access to WRDS while working as a Research Assistant, may register for an account as as a Research Assistant.  Please include the name of your faculty sponsor/supervisor to avoid delays to getting your account request approved. 

Accounts are suspended for masters students during the summer.  Access may be granted to students who are enrolled in summer classes.  Access is not granted for 0-credit courses and internships.  For students who are not enrolled in summer courses, WRDS is accessible from workstations at the Business Library at Manhattanville and the library in Uris Hall.

If you are working as a Research Assistant during the summer, you may contact the business library (business@library.columbia.edu).  Please include the name of the faculty member you are working with.

If your account has expired or you are seeking to reinstate your account for the academic year, you may contact the business library at business@library.columbia.edu.