Best institutions to study Educational Statistics and Research Methods
A program that focuses on the application of statistics to the analysis and solution of educational research problems, and the development of technical designs for research studies.
46 U.S. institutions graduated 445 Educational Statistics and Research Methods students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0603, a specialization of Educational Assessment (CIP 13.06), and leads most directly to the Statisticians occupation (BLS SOC 15-2041).
About Educational Statistics and Research Methods programs
A program that focuses on the application of statistics to the analysis and solution of educational research problems, and the development of technical designs for research studies. Includes instruction in mathematical statistics, research design, computer applications, instrument design, research methodologies, and applications to research problems in specific education subjects.
See also: 27.0501 - Statistics, General., 45.0102 - Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Educational Statistics and Research Methods program, part of the Educational Assessment field, focuses on applying statistical techniques to address educational research challenges. This program is designed for individuals interested in developing expertise in research design and methodologies, making it ideal for those pursuing careers in education, research, or data analysis.
Students will gain essential skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and research methodologies. Coursework includes instruction in statistical analysis, computer applications, instrument design, and the development of technical designs for research studies.
Credentials awarded
What Educational Statistics and Research Methods graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree232 graduates / yr · 22 institutions52%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate119 graduates / yr · 21 institutions27%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship77 graduates / yr · 19 institutions17%
- Post-master's certificate17 graduates / yr · 4 institutions3.8%
Graduates over time
Educational Statistics and Research Methods completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 87 |
| 2013 | 83 |
| 2014 | 99 |
| 2015 | 112 |
| 2016 | 171 |
| 2017 | 246 |
| 2018 | 195 |
| 2019 | 222 |
| 2020 | 314 |
| 2021 | 289 |
| 2022 | 323 |
| 2023 | 336 |
| 2024 | 346 |
| 2025 | 445 |
Top 46 institutions for Educational Statistics and Research Methods, 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 | Teachers College at Columbia University New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 84 | — | — | — |
| 2 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 42 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 3 | North Carolina State University at Raleigh Raleigh, NCPublicPost-degree cert. | 25 | 85% | — | — |
| 4 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 20 | 75% | — | — |
| 5 | Texas A&M University - College Station College Station, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 18 | 84% | — | — |
| 6 | University of Illinois Urbana - Champaign Champaign, ILPublicDoctoralMaster's | 14 | 85% | — | — |
| 7 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicPost-degree cert.Master's | 14 | 71% | — | — |
| 8 | University of Denver Denver, COPrivate not-for-profitDoctoralMaster's | 13 | 76% | $29,726 | — |
| 9 | Florida International University Miami, FLPublicMaster's | 13 | 74% | — | — |
| 10 | University of Miami Coral Gables, FLPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 13 | 84% | $26,589 | — |
| 11 | University of Florida Gainesville, FLPublicDoctoralMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 12 | 91% | — | — |
| 12 | University of Maryland - College Park College Park, MDPublicPost-degree cert.Master'sDoctoral | 12 | 89% | — | — |
| 13 | University of Northern Colorado Greeley, COPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 11 | 51% | — | — |
| 14 | University of North Carolina at Greensboro Greensboro, NCPublicDoctoralMaster's | 11 | 56% | — | — |
| 15 | The University of Alabama Tuscaloosa, ALPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 9 | 73% | — | — |
| 16 | Georgia State University Atlanta, GAPublicMaster'sMaster's | 9 | 53% | — | — |
| 17 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 9 | 80% | — | — |
| 18 | Boston College Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 91% | $21,126 | — |
| 19 | University of Arkansas Fayetteville, ARPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 8 | 71% | — | — |
| 20 | University at Buffalo Buffalo, NYPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 75% | — | — |
| 21 | Texas Tech University Lubbock, TXPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 69% | — | — |
| 22 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 7 | 83% | — | — |
| 23 | George Mason University Fairfax, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 7 | 68% | — | — |
| 24 | Florida State University Tallahassee, FLPublicMaster's | 6 | 86% | — | — |
| 25 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster's | 6 | 75% | — | — |
| 26 | California State University - Fresno Fresno, CAPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 57% | — | — |
| 27 | Washington State University Pullman, WAPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 60% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Washington - Seattle Campus Seattle, WAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 5 | 85% | — | — |
| 29 | Auburn University Auburn, ALPublicMaster's | 4 | 82% | — | — |
| 30 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 68% | — | $26,457 |
| 31 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicDoctoral | 4 | 81% | — | — |
| 32 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicMaster's | 4 | 64% | — | — |
| 33 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 83% | — | — |
| 34 | University of Delaware Newark, DEPublicDoctoral | 3 | 81% | — | — |
| 35 | Cleveland State University Cleveland, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 51% | — | — |
| 36 | Ohio University - Main Campus Athens, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 3 | 65% | — | — |
| 37 | Loyola University Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 2 | 73% | $33,454 | — |
| 38 | University of Oregon Eugene, ORPublicDoctoral | 2 | 72% | — | — |
| 39 | Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University Blacksburg, VAPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 86% | — | — |
| 40 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicMaster's | 1 | 68% | — | — |
| 41 | Capitol Technology University Laurel, MDPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 1 | 43% | $27,179 | — |
| 42 | University of North Dakota Grand Forks, NDPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 60% | — | — |
| 43 | University of Cincinnati - Main Campus Cincinnati, OHPublicDoctoral | 1 | 75% | — | — |
| 44 | Slippery Rock University of Pennsylvania Slippery Rock, PAPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 66% | — | — |
| 45 | University of South Carolina - Columbia Columbia, SCPublicMaster's | 1 | 79% | — | — |
| 46 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicPost-degree cert. | 1 | 51% | — | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Educational Assessment field (CIP 13.06) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 27 states
Where Educational Statistics and Research Methods graduates come from. Each state links to all Educational Assessment programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2041, Statisticians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of this program can pursue careers as statisticians, management analysts, and postsecondary education teachers. The job outlook for statisticians is particularly strong, with an expected growth rate of 8.5% and around 2,000 annual openings, alongside a median wage of $103,300, typically requiring a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0603
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Statisticiansprimary SOC 15-2041 | $105,650 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~2,000 | Master's degree |
Management Analysts SOC 13-1111 | $101,860 | +8.8% Much faster than average | ~98,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Education Teachers, Postsecondary SOC 25-1081 | $75,350 | +2.1% About as fast as average | ~5,600 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Job Zone Five: Extensive Preparation Needed
- Education
- Most of these occupations require graduate school. For example, they may require a master's degree, and some require a Ph.D., M.D., or J.D. (law degree).
- Experience
- Extensive skill, knowledge, and experience are needed for these occupations. Many require more than five years of experience. For example, surgeons must complete four years of college and an additional five to seven years of specialized medical training to be able to do their job.
- Training
- Employees may need some on-the-job training, but most of these occupations assume that the person will already have the required skills, knowledge, work-related experience, and/or training.
Related careers
Skills & knowledge in Educational Statistics and Research Methods 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
- Analyze and interpret statistical data to identify significant differences in relationships among sources of information.
- Evaluate the statistical methods and procedures used to obtain data to ensure validity, applicability, efficiency, and accuracy.
- Report results of statistical analyses, including information in the form of graphs, charts, and tables.
- Determine whether statistical methods are appropriate, based on user needs or research questions of interest.
- Prepare data for processing by organizing information, checking for inaccuracies, and adjusting and weighting the raw data.
- Develop and test experimental designs, sampling techniques, and analytical methods.
Tools and technology used
Other Educational Assessment specializations
The 5 other 6-digit CIP codes under Educational Assessment (CIP 13.06).
- Learning SciencesCIP 13.06074,040 graduates / yr38 institutions
- Educational Evaluation and ResearchCIP 13.0601749 graduates / yr56 institutions
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and ResearchCIP 13.0699308 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Educational Assessment, Testing, and MeasurementCIP 13.0604262 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Institutional ResearchCIP 13.0608limited data2 graduates / yr1 institutions
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a Master's degree, Postbaccalaureate certificate, Doctor's degree, or Post-master's certificate.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, data analysis, and research methodologies.
What careers can I pursue after graduation?+
You can work as a statistician, management analyst, or postsecondary education teacher.
What is the job outlook for statisticians?+
The job outlook for statisticians is much faster than average, with an 8.5% growth rate.
What is the CIP code for Educational Statistics and Research Methods?+
Educational Statistics and Research Methods is CIP 13.0603 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Educational Assessment (CIP 13.06). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the application of statistics to the analysis and solution of educational research problems, and the development of technical designs for research studies. Includes instruction in mathematical statistics, research design, computer applications, instrument design, research methodologies, and applications to research problems in specific education subjects.
How many institutions offer Educational Statistics and Research Methods programs?+
46 U.S. institutions reported Educational Statistics and Research Methods graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 27 states, awarding 445 credentials in the year. That is 7.7% of all Educational Assessment graduates.
How much do Educational Statistics and Research Methods graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Statisticians occupation, which Educational Statistics and Research Methods most directly leads to, pays a median of $105,650 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Educational Assessment field report median earnings of $26,457 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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