Best institutions to study Institutional Research
A program of study that prepares an individual to be an institutional researcher at a postsecondary educational institution.
1 U.S. institutions graduated 2 Institutional Research students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 13.0608, a specialization of Educational Assessment (CIP 13.06), and leads most directly to the Management Analysts occupation (BLS SOC 13-1111).
About Institutional Research programs
A program of study that prepares an individual to be an institutional researcher at a postsecondary educational institution. Includes instruction in data analysis, data-driven decision-making, data mining, higher education administration and organization, research methods, and statistics.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Institutional Research program, part of the Educational Assessment field, prepares individuals to become institutional researchers at postsecondary educational institutions. This program focuses on equipping students with the skills necessary to analyze data and make data-driven decisions that enhance educational outcomes and institutional effectiveness.
Students in this program will gain knowledge in data analysis, research methods, and statistics. Core skills include critical thinking, active listening, and effective communication, all essential for conducting thorough assessments and evaluations in educational settings.
Credentials awarded
What Institutional Research graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Postbaccalaureate certificate2 graduates / yr · 1 institution100%
Graduates over time
Institutional Research completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2021 | 8 |
| 2022 | 6 |
| 2023 | 10 |
| 2024 | 7 |
| 2025 | 2 |
CIP 13.0608 was introduced in CIP 2020, so the series starts when institutions began reporting under the new code.
Top 1 institutions for Institutional Research, 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Indiana University - Bloomington Bloomington, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 80% | — |
Offered in 1 states
Where Institutional Research graduates come from. Each state links to all Educational Assessment programs offered there.
| State | Institutions | Graduates / yr | Top institution by graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| Indiana | 1 | 2 | Indiana University - Bloomington2 / yr |
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 13-1111, Management Analysts, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Institutional Research program can pursue careers as management analysts, statisticians, or survey researchers. The job outlook for these roles is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.8%, annual openings of approximately 98,100, and a median wage of $101,190, typically requiring a bachelor's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 13.0608
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Management Analystsprimary SOC 13-1111 | $101,860 | +8.8% Much faster than average | ~98,100 | Bachelor's degree |
Statisticians SOC 15-2041 | $105,650 | +8.5% Much faster than average | ~2,000 | Master's degree |
Survey Researchers SOC 19-3022 | $69,460 | -5.2% Decline | ~700 | Master's 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 Institutional Research 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
- Gather and organize information on problems or procedures.
- Confer with personnel concerned to ensure successful functioning of newly implemented systems or procedures.
- Analyze data gathered and develop solutions or alternative methods of proceeding.
- Document findings of study and prepare recommendations for implementation of new systems, procedures, or organizational changes.
- Plan study of work problems and procedures, such as organizational change, communications, information flow, integrated production methods, inventory control, or cost analysis.
- Interview personnel and conduct on-site observation to ascertain unit functions, work performed, and methods, equipment, and personnel used.
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 Statistics and Research MethodsCIP 13.0603445 graduates / yr46 institutions
- Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and ResearchCIP 13.0699308 graduates / yr21 institutions
- Educational Assessment, Testing, and MeasurementCIP 13.0604262 graduates / yr21 institutions
Common questions
What is institutional research?+
Institutional research involves gathering and analyzing data to improve educational institutions' effectiveness.
What skills will I learn in this program?+
You will learn critical thinking, data analysis, research methods, and effective communication.
What careers can I pursue with this program?+
You can work as a management analyst, statistician, or survey researcher.
What is the job outlook for these careers?+
The job outlook is strong, with an 8.8% growth rate and about 98,100 annual openings.
What is the CIP code for Institutional Research?+
Institutional Research is CIP 13.0608 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 of study that prepares an individual to be an institutional researcher at a postsecondary educational institution. Includes instruction in data analysis, data-driven decision-making, data mining, higher education administration and organization, research methods, and statistics.
How many institutions offer Institutional Research programs?+
1 U.S. institutions reported Institutional Research graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 1 states, awarding 2 credentials in the year. That is 0.0% of all Educational Assessment graduates.
How much do Institutional Research graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Management Analysts occupation, which Institutional Research most directly leads to, pays a median of $101,860 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025).
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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