Best institutions to study Research and Development Management
A program that prepares individuals to manage projects, programs and organizations involving basic and applied research, or specialized technology applications, in the public or private sectors.
24 U.S. institutions graduated 318 Research and Development Management students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 52.0210, a specialization of Business Administration (CIP 52.02), and leads most directly to the Medical and Health Services Managers occupation (BLS SOC 11-9111).
About Research and Development Management programs
A program that prepares individuals to manage projects, programs and organizations involving basic and applied research, or specialized technology applications, in the public or private sectors. Includes instruction in all aspects of business management applied to the leadership and control of scientific, clinical, engineering and social scientific enterprises; the management of related operational, security and logistical issues; and technical competence in one or more research disciplines.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Research and Development Management program, part of the Business Administration field, prepares individuals to effectively manage projects and organizations involved in both basic and applied research. This program is ideal for those interested in leading scientific, clinical, engineering, and social scientific enterprises in various sectors, including public and private organizations.
Students in this program gain essential skills in administration, management, and technical competence in research disciplines. Coursework typically includes instruction in leadership, operational issues, and logistical management, equipping graduates with the tools needed to succeed in dynamic environments.
Credentials awarded
What Research and Development Management graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree246 graduates / yr · 15 institutions77%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate30 graduates / yr · 5 institutions9.4%
- Bachelor's degree23 graduates / yr · 2 institutions7.2%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year10 graduates / yr · 1 institution3.1%
- Associate's degree8 graduates / yr · 1 institution2.5%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.3%
Graduates over time
Research and Development Management completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 37 |
| 2013 | 37 |
| 2014 | 56 |
| 2015 | 63 |
| 2016 | 180 |
| 2017 | 219 |
| 2018 | 179 |
| 2019 | 194 |
| 2020 | 205 |
| 2021 | 238 |
| 2022 | 284 |
| 2023 | 287 |
| 2024 | 268 |
| 2025 | 318 |
Top 24 institutions for Research and Development Management, ranked by graduates
Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.
| # | Institution | Graduates / yr | Grad rate | Net price | Field earnings* (1 yr) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion Scottsdale, AZPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 66 | 0% | — | $61,117 |
| 2 | The University of Arizona Global Campus Chandler, AZPublicMaster's | 64 | 11% | $26,445 | $61,466 |
| 3 | University of Maine Orono, MEPublicMaster's | 22 | 55% | — | $45,950 |
| 4 | University of San Diego San Diego, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 84% | $26,035 | $51,056 |
| 5 | Johns Hopkins University Baltimore, MDPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 20 | 94% | $11,888 | — |
| 6 | University of Southern Mississippi Hattiesburg, MSPublicBachelor's | 20 | 49% | — | $38,757 |
| 7 | Texas Christian University Fort Worth, TXPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 18 | 86% | $25,823 | $71,984 |
| 8 | Austin Peay State University Clarksville, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 13 | 40% | — | $38,750 |
| 9 | University of Kansas Lawrence, KSPublicMaster's | 11 | 69% | — | $55,633 |
| 10 | University of Maryland, Baltimore Baltimore, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 10 | — | — | — |
| 11 | Wake Forest University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 10 | 89% | $20,914 | — |
| 12 | University of Wisconsin - Stout Menomonie, WIPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 10 | 55% | — | $54,826 |
| 13 | Fort Hays State University Hays, KSPublicAssociate's | 8 | 48% | — | $52,129 |
| 14 | University of Detroit Mercy Detroit, MIPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 7 | 67% | $16,109 | $37,972 |
| 15 | Winona State University Winona, MNPublicMaster's | 4 | 57% | — | $47,097 |
| 16 | Oregon State University Corvallis, ORPublicBachelor's | 3 | 70% | — | $47,555 |
| 17 | University of South Dakota Vermillion, SDPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 60% | — | $47,107 |
| 18 | Central Michigan University Mount Pleasant, MIPublicMaster's | 2 | 59% | — | $53,605 |
| 19 | University of Minnesota - Twin Cities Minneapolis, MNPublicMaster's | 2 | 85% | — | $65,996 |
| 20 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 47% | — | $43,326 |
| 21 | Bentley University Waltham, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | 87% | $31,677 | $67,903 |
| 22 | The University of Texas Permian Basin Odessa, TXPublicMaster's | 1 | 40% | — | $51,109 |
| 23 | Sonoran University of Health Sciences Tempe, AZPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 1 | — | — | — |
| 24 | Carolina University Winston-Salem, NCPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 22% | $19,450 | $34,325 |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Business Administration field (CIP 52.02) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 16 states
Where Research and Development Management graduates come from. Each state links to all Business Administration programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | 3 | 131 | Arizona State University Digital Immersion66 / yr |
| Maryland | 2 | 30 | Johns Hopkins University20 / yr |
| Maine | 1 | 22 | University of Maine22 / yr |
| California | 1 | 20 | University of San Diego20 / yr |
| Mississippi | 1 | 20 | University of Southern Mississippi20 / yr |
| Texas | 2 | 19 | Texas Christian University18 / yr |
| Kansas | 2 | 19 | University of Kansas11 / yr |
| Tennessee | 1 | 13 | Austin Peay State University13 / yr |
| North Carolina | 2 | 11 | Wake Forest University10 / yr |
| Wisconsin | 1 | 10 | University of Wisconsin - Stout10 / yr |
| Michigan | 2 | 9 | University of Detroit Mercy7 / yr |
| Minnesota | 2 | 6 | Winona State University4 / yr |
| Oregon | 1 | 3 | Oregon State University3 / yr |
| South Dakota | 1 | 3 | University of South Dakota3 / yr |
| Colorado | 1 | 1 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs1 / yr |
| Massachusetts | 1 | 1 | Bentley University1 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 11-9111, Medical and Health Services Managers, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Research and Development Management program can pursue careers as Medical and Health Services Managers, among other roles. The job outlook is promising, with a growth rate of 23.2% and approximately 62,100 annual openings. The median wage for these positions is $117,960, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 52.0210
The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.
| Occupation | US median pay | Growth | Openings / yr | Typical entry education |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Medical and Health Services Managersprimary SOC 11-9111 | $123,860 | +23.2% Much faster than average | ~62,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Natural Sciences Managers SOC 11-9121 | $167,220 | +3.7% About as fast as average | ~8,500 | Bachelor's degree |
Business Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1011 | $99,080 | +5.7% Faster than average | ~8,100 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Research and Development Management programs
From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.
Skills you'll build
Knowledge areas
Abilities that matter most
Day-to-day work activities
What graduates do on the job
- Direct, supervise and evaluate work activities of medical, nursing, technical, clerical, service, maintenance, and other personnel.
- Develop and maintain computerized record management systems to store and process data, such as personnel activities and information, and to produce reports.
- Plan, implement, and administer programs and services in a health care or medical facility, including personnel administration, training, and coordination of medical, nursing and physical plant staff.
- Conduct and administer fiscal operations, including accounting, planning budgets, authorizing expenditures, establishing rates for services, and coordinating financial reporting.
- Maintain awareness of advances in medicine, computerized diagnostic and treatment equipment, data processing technology, government regulations, health insurance changes, and financing options.
- Establish work schedules and assignments for staff, according to workload, space, and equipment availability.
Tools and technology used
Other Business Administration specializations
The 16 other 6-digit CIP codes under Business Administration (CIP 52.02).
- Business Administration and ManagementCIP 52.0201348,906 graduates / yr2,305 institutions
- Organizational LeadershipCIP 52.021316,743 graduates / yr548 institutions
- Business AdministrationCIP 52.029912,575 graduates / yr296 institutions
- Operations Management and SupervisionCIP 52.020511,666 graduates / yr144 institutions
- Logistics, Materials, and Supply Chain ManagementCIP 52.020311,155 graduates / yr377 institutions
- Project ManagementCIP 52.02116,015 graduates / yr190 institutions
- Office Management and SupervisionCIP 52.02042,955 graduates / yr196 institutions
- Non-Profit/CIP 52.0206
Public/ Organizational Management 2,409 graduates / yr175 institutions - Retail ManagementCIP 52.02121,362 graduates / yr62 institutions
- PurchasingCIP 52.0202800 graduates / yr35 institutions
- Transportation/CIP 52.0209
Mobility Management 502 graduates / yr31 institutions - E-Commerce/CIP 52.0208
Electronic Commerce 414 graduates / yr35 institutions - Science/CIP 52.0216
Technology Management 399 graduates / yr29 institutions - Customer Service ManagementCIP 52.0207237 graduates / yr17 institutions
- Risk ManagementCIP 52.0215236 graduates / yr17 institutions
Show 1 more CIP codes with no U.S. programs reported+
- Research Administration52.0214
No institution reported completions for these codes in the latest IPEDS year, so they have no page.
Common questions
What degrees are offered in this program?+
The program offers a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Bachelor's degree, and shorter awards.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in critical thinking, communication, and management, among others.
What is the job outlook for graduates?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with a growth rate of 23.2%.
How many colleges offer this program?+
Currently, 24 colleges in the U.S. offer the Research and Development Management program.
What is the CIP code for Research and Development Management?+
Research and Development Management is CIP 52.0210 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Business Administration (CIP 52.02). NCES defines it as: A program that prepares individuals to manage projects, programs and organizations involving basic and applied research, or specialized technology applications, in the public or private sectors. Includes instruction in all aspects of business management applied to the leadership and control of scientific, clinical, engineering and social scientific enterprises; the management of related operational, security and logistical issues; and technical competence in one or more research disciplines.
How many institutions offer Research and Development Management programs?+
24 U.S. institutions reported Research and Development Management graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 16 states, awarding 318 credentials in the year. That is 0.1% of all Business Administration graduates.
How much do Research and Development Management graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Medical and Health Services Managers occupation, which Research and Development Management most directly leads to, pays a median of $123,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Business Administration field report median earnings of $51,109 one year after graduation (College Scorecard).
About the data on this page
Every figure comes from an official federal or public source. Here is each one and the release it is currently on.
Program definitions are from the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020). Skills, knowledge, abilities, work activities, tools, and job zones are from the O*NET database by the U.S. Department of Labor, used under the CC BY 4.0 license.
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