PsychologySpecialization of Research and Experimental Psychology

Best institutions to study Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology

CIP 42.2708

A program that focuses on the mathematical and statistical procedures used in psychological test construction and validation; the general problems of the measurement of behavior; and the application of quantitative methods to research design and other methodological topics.

16 U.S. institutions graduated 210 Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 42.2708, a specialization of Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27), and leads most directly to the Social Science Research Assistants occupation (BLS SOC 19-4061).

Institutions
16
offering CIP 42.2708
States offered
15
with graduates reported
Graduates / yr
210
IPEDS completions 2024–25
Women
71%
share of graduates
US median pay · Social Science Research Assistants
$61,990
BLS OEWS May 2025
Share of Research and Experimental Psychology
0.9%
of all Research and Experimental Psychology graduates

About Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology programs

Official NCES definition · CIP 42.2708
A program that focuses on the mathematical and statistical procedures used in psychological test construction and validation; the general problems of the measurement of behavior; and the application of quantitative methods to research design and other methodological topics.

Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).

The Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology program focuses on the mathematical and statistical methods essential for psychological test construction and validation. It addresses the measurement of behavior and the application of quantitative techniques to various research designs and methodological challenges. This program is ideal for students interested in the intersection of psychology and quantitative research methods.

What you'll learn

Students in this program will develop core skills in reading comprehension, critical thinking, and mathematics. Coursework typically includes training in statistical analysis, data management, and the preparation of research reports, equipping graduates with the knowledge to tackle complex psychological research problems.

Credentials awarded

What Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).

  • Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year121 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    58%
  • Postbaccalaureate certificate41 graduates / yr · 5 institutions
    20%
  • Master's degree41 graduates / yr · 7 institutions
    20%
  • Doctor's degree - research/scholarship5 graduates / yr · 5 institutions
    2.4%
  • Bachelor's degree2 graduates / yr · 1 institution
    1.0%

Graduates over time

Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.

210graduates in 2025
+1135% since 2012
2012202517210
Graduates per year (IPEDS completions)
YearGraduates
201217
201326
201420
201532
201622
201731
201830
201940
202054
202195
202290
2023105
2024203
2025210

Top 16 institutions for Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology, ranked by graduates

Graduates (IPEDS completions), 2024–25. Award levels show which credentials each institution confers in this specialization.

#InstitutionGraduates / yrGrad rateNet price
1Southern New Hampshire University
Manchester, NHPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year
12143%$34,565
2Ball State University
Muncie, INPublicMaster's
1962%—
3Montclair State University
Montclair, NJPublicPost-degree cert.
1765%—
4East Carolina University
Greenville, NCPublicPost-degree cert.
1263%—
5Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
794%$14,854
6Illinois Institute of Technology
Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
575%$19,899
7Morgan State University
Baltimore, MDPublicMaster'sDoctoral
541%—
8University of Nevada - Las Vegas
Las Vegas, NVPublicPost-degree cert.
551%—
9Stony Brook University
Stony Brook, NYPublicPost-degree cert.
476%—
10University of Connecticut
Storrs, CTPublicMaster'sDoctoral
383%—
11William Carey University
Hattiesburg, MSPrivate not-for-profitMaster's
360%$17,205
12Texas Tech University
Lubbock, TXPublicPost-degree cert.
369%—
13Boston College
Chestnut Hill, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral
291%$21,126
14North Dakota State University - Main Campus
Fargo, NDPublicBachelor's
264%—
15Fordham University
Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral
182%$38,931
16James Madison University
Harrisonburg, VAPublicDoctoral
180%—

Offered in 15 states

Where Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology graduates come from. Each state links to all Research and Experimental Psychology programs offered there.

Careers & outlook

The payoff after graduation: occupation 19-4061, Social Science Research Assistants, and its national outlook.

Graduates of the Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology program can pursue careers as Social Science Research Assistants, among other roles. The job outlook for related positions is about as fast as average, with an annual growth rate of 4.4%, 5,200 annual openings, and a median wage of $58,040, typically requiring at least a Bachelor's degree.

Projected growth (2024–2034)
+4.4%
About as fast as average
Openings / yr (US)
~5,200
BLS Employment Projections
US median wage
$58,040
typically Bachelor's degree
National employment
30,640
Social Science Research Assistants
US average pay
$66,140
annual, BLS OEWS May 2025
US median pay
$61,990
annual

Top-paying metros

Atlanta-Sandy Springs-Roswell, GA
$90,820avg
Bowling Green, KY
$88,200avg
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA
$86,880avg
Oklahoma City, OK
$80,710avg
Flagstaff, AZ
$80,680avg

Career pathways for CIP 42.2708

The occupations the NCES crosswalk maps this 6-digit code to, with BLS pay and 10-year outlook.

OccupationUS median payGrowthOpenings / yrTypical entry education
Social Science Research Assistantsprimary
SOC 19-4061
$61,990+4.4%
About as fast as average
~5,200Bachelor's degree
Managers, All Other
SOC 11-9199
$141,900+4.5%
About as fast as average
~106,700Bachelor's degree
Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
SOC 25-1066
$80,340+3.6%
About as fast as average
~4,000Doctoral or professional degree
Psychologists, All Other
SOC 19-3039
$110,840+4.3%
About as fast as average
~3,900Master's degree
Statisticians
SOC 15-2041
$105,650+8.5%
Much faster than average
~2,000Master's degree
Preparation needed

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

Psychology Teachers, Postsecondary
$93,860 avg · 41,530 jobs
Social Science Research Assistants
$66,140 avg · 30,640 jobs
Statisticians
$115,700 avg · 29,030 jobs
Psychologists, All Other
$111,210 avg · 18,820 jobs

Skills & knowledge in Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology programs

From the U.S. Dept. of Labor for the occupation this specialization most leads to.

Skills you'll build

Reading Comprehension
Active Listening
Writing
Critical Thinking
Speaking
Science
Mathematics
Active Learning

Knowledge areas

English Language
Computers and Electronics
Administrative
Mathematics
Customer and Personal Service
Education and Training

Abilities that matter most

Oral Comprehension
Oral Expression
Written Comprehension
Written Expression
Information Ordering
Deductive Reasoning

Day-to-day work activities

Working with Computers
Processing Information
Analyzing Data or Information
Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
Getting Information
Documenting/Recording Information

What graduates do on the job

  • Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
  • Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
  • Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
  • Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
  • Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
  • Develop and implement research quality control procedures.

Tools and technology used

Adobe IllustratorAdobe InDesignAppletreeC++Database softwareESRI ArcGIS softwareExtensible markup language XMLGraphics software

Other Research and Experimental Psychology specializations

The 10 other 6-digit CIP codes under Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27).

Common questions

What is Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology?+

It is a program that focuses on the mathematical and statistical procedures used in psychological test construction and validation.

What skills will I learn in this program?+

You will develop skills in statistical analysis, data management, critical thinking, and effective communication.

What careers can I pursue with this degree?+

You can work as a Social Science Research Assistant, Statistician, or Psychology Teacher, among other roles.

What is the job outlook for this field?+

The job outlook is about as fast as average, with a growth rate of 4.4% and 5,200 annual openings.

What is the CIP code for Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology?+

Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology is CIP 42.2708 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Research and Experimental Psychology (CIP 42.27). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the mathematical and statistical procedures used in psychological test construction and validation; the general problems of the measurement of behavior; and the application of quantitative methods to research design and other methodological topics.

How many institutions offer Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology programs?+

16 U.S. institutions reported Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 15 states, awarding 210 credentials in the year. That is 0.9% of all Research and Experimental Psychology graduates.

How much do Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology graduates earn?+

Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Social Science Research Assistants occupation, which Psychometrics and Quantitative Psychology most directly leads to, pays a median of $61,990 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.

IPEDSFall 2025–26 release, published July 28, 2026
Enrollment, completions, graduation rates, tuition, financial aid, staffing, and finance for every U.S. institution in federal student aid programs.
College ScorecardJune 10, 2026 release (merged 2025–26 files)
Institution and field-of-study costs, graduate earnings, debt, completion, and admissions outcomes compiled from federal aid records, tax data, and IPEDS.
BLS wages & outlookOEWS May 2025 release
Occupational employment and wage estimates plus 10-year job outlook, used to connect programs to real-world earnings.

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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