Best institutions to study Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods
A program that focuses on the design of research studies, measurement of variables, data analysis, and formulation of models.
65 U.S. institutions graduated 2,284 Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods students in 2024–25 (IPEDS). It is CIP 45.0102, a specialization of Social Sciences (CIP 45.01), and leads most directly to the Statisticians occupation (BLS SOC 15-2041).
About Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods programs
A program that focuses on the design of research studies, measurement of variables, data analysis, and formulation of models. Includes instruction in experimental, quasi-experimental, and case study methods; historical research; participant observation; questionnaire design; sampling theory; and statistical methods.
See also: 13.0603 - Educational Statistics and Research Methods., 27.0501 - Statistics, General.
Source: National Center for Education Statistics, Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020).
The Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods program within the Social Sciences field focuses on the design and analysis of research studies. It equips students with essential skills in measurement, data analysis, and model formulation, making it ideal for those interested in conducting research in various social science disciplines. This program is suited for individuals aiming to advance their understanding of research methodologies and their applications in real-world scenarios.
Students in this program will gain core skills in mathematics, critical thinking, and statistical methods. Coursework typically includes experimental and case study methods, questionnaire design, and data analysis techniques, preparing graduates to effectively analyze and interpret statistical data.
Credentials awarded
What Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods graduates earned in 2024–25, by award level (IPEDS completions).
- Master's degree1,842 graduates / yr · 28 institutions81%
- Bachelor's degree212 graduates / yr · 9 institutions9.3%
- Postbaccalaureate certificate105 graduates / yr · 22 institutions4.6%
- Doctor's degree - research/scholarship80 graduates / yr · 17 institutions3.5%
- Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year44 graduates / yr · 12 institutions1.9%
- Post-master's certificate1 graduates / yr · 1 institution0.0%
Graduates over time
Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods completions reported to IPEDS each year, all award levels combined.
| Year | Graduates |
|---|---|
| 2012 | 15 |
| 2013 | 19 |
| 2014 | 20 |
| 2015 | 25 |
| 2016 | 44 |
| 2017 | 80 |
| 2018 | 115 |
| 2019 | 162 |
| 2020 | 194 |
| 2021 | 235 |
| 2022 | 471 |
| 2023 | 1,473 |
| 2024 | 1,898 |
| 2025 | 2,284 |
Top 50 institutions for Research Methodology and Quantitative 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 | University of Chicago Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 594 | 96% | $13,333 | — |
| 2 | Georgetown University Washington, DCPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 287 | 95% | $22,242 | — |
| 3 | Emory University Atlanta, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sPost-degree cert.Doctoral | 270 | 91% | $20,586 | — |
| 4 | Harvard University Cambridge, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 226 | 98% | $15,013 | $56,540 |
| 5 | Brown University Providence, RIPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor'sDoctoral | 217 | 96% | $14,644 | — |
| 6 | Columbia University in the City of New York New York, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 160 | 96% | $15,315 | — |
| 7 | University of Southern California Los Angeles, CAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 97 | 92% | $26,873 | $33,789 |
| 8 | University of California - Los Angeles Los Angeles, CAPublicMaster'sDoctoral | 53 | 93% | — | — |
| 9 | University of Pennsylvania Philadelphia, PAPrivate not-for-profitBachelor'sDoctoralMaster's | 30 | 97% | $22,055 | — |
| 10 | University of California - Berkeley Berkeley, CAPublicMaster's | 28 | 93% | — | — |
| 11 | Montclair State University Montclair, NJPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 26 | 65% | — | — |
| 12 | The University of Texas at Dallas Richardson, TXPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 21 | 76% | — | — |
| 13 | University of California - Irvine Irvine, CAPublicDoctoralMaster's | 19 | 87% | — | $34,871 |
| 14 | CUNY Graduate School and University Center New York, NYPublicMaster'sPost-degree cert. | 18 | — | — | — |
| 15 | Tulane University of Louisiana New Orleans, LAPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 17 | 86% | $33,106 | $37,472 |
| 16 | University of West Georgia Carrollton, GAPublicPost-degree cert. | 13 | 43% | — | — |
| 17 | University of Rochester Rochester, NYPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sBachelor's | 13 | 85% | $25,874 | — |
| 18 | Purdue University - Main Campus West Lafayette, INPublicPost-degree cert. | 12 | 83% | — | — |
| 19 | University of Kentucky Lexington, KYPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 11 | 71% | — | — |
| 20 | Vanderbilt University Nashville, TNPrivate not-for-profitMaster'sDoctoral | 10 | 94% | $14,854 | $61,389 |
| 21 | Northeastern University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 9 | 91% | $18,925 | — |
| 22 | Clemson University Clemson, SCPublicMaster's | 9 | 87% | — | — |
| 23 | University of Utah Salt Lake City, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 9 | 65% | — | $35,363 |
| 24 | University of Alabama at Birmingham Birmingham, ALPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 64% | — | — |
| 25 | University of Arizona Tucson, AZPublicDoctoralPost-degree cert.Master's | 8 | 68% | — | — |
| 26 | University of Connecticut Storrs, CTPublicPost-degree cert. | 8 | 83% | — | — |
| 27 | Utah Tech University Saint George, UTPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 7 | 38% | — | — |
| 28 | University of Iowa Iowa City, IAPublicPost-degree cert. | 6 | 75% | — | — |
| 29 | University of Massachusetts - Lowell Lowell, MAPublicMaster's | 6 | 65% | — | — |
| 30 | Washington University in St Louis St. Louis, MOPrivate not-for-profitPost-degree cert. | 6 | 94% | $14,126 | — |
| 31 | University of Colorado Colorado Springs Colorado Springs, COPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 47% | — | — |
| 32 | University of Massachusetts - Amherst Amherst, MAPublicAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 83% | — | — |
| 33 | University of Missouri - Columbia Columbia, MOPublicPost-degree cert. | 5 | 75% | — | — |
| 34 | Temple University Philadelphia, PAPublicMaster'sAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 5 | 75% | — | — |
| 35 | Virginia Commonwealth University Richmond, VAPublicDoctoral | 5 | 63% | — | — |
| 36 | Arizona State University Campus Immersion Tempe, AZPublicPost-degree cert.Award of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 4 | 68% | — | — |
| 37 | Agnes Scott College Decatur, GAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 4 | 71% | $23,947 | — |
| 38 | Kent State University at Kent Kent, OHPublicPost-degree cert. | 4 | 64% | — | — |
| 39 | University of Memphis Memphis, TNPublicDoctoral | 4 | 51% | — | — |
| 40 | University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Little Rock, ARPublicDoctoral | 3 | — | — | — |
| 41 | Boston University Boston, MAPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 3 | 89% | $21,956 | — |
| 42 | Omega Graduate School Dayton, TNPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 3 | — | — | — |
| 43 | University of New Haven West Haven, CTPrivate not-for-profitMaster's | 2 | 63% | $32,614 | — |
| 44 | Jacksonville University Jacksonville, FLPrivate not-for-profitAward of at least 12 weeks but less than 1 academic year | 2 | 51% | $25,813 | $31,204 |
| 45 | University of Idaho Moscow, IDPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 57% | — | — |
| 46 | Illinois Institute of Technology Chicago, ILPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 75% | $19,899 | — |
| 47 | Northwestern University Evanston, ILPrivate not-for-profitDoctoral | 2 | 95% | $14,799 | — |
| 48 | University of Maryland - Baltimore County Baltimore, MDPublicPost-degree cert. | 2 | 70% | — | — |
| 49 | Michigan State University East Lansing, MIPublicMaster's | 2 | 81% | — | $46,206 |
| 50 | University of Mount Saint Vincent Bronx, NYPrivate not-for-profitBachelor's | 2 | 57% | $20,371 | — |
* Median earnings 1 year after graduation for the broader Social Sciences field (CIP 45.01) at these institutions; College Scorecard does not publish earnings at the 6-digit level.
Offered in 33 states
Where Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods graduates come from. Each state links to all Social Sciences programs offered there.
Careers & outlook
The payoff after graduation: occupation 15-2041, Statisticians, and its national outlook.
Graduates of the Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods program can pursue careers as statisticians, survey researchers, and social scientists. The job outlook is promising, with an expected growth rate of 8.5% and approximately 2,000 annual openings. The median wage for statisticians is around $103,300, with a typical education requirement of a master's degree.
Top-paying metros
Career pathways for CIP 45.0102
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 |
Managers, All Other SOC 11-9199 | $141,900 | +4.5% About as fast as average | ~106,700 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other SOC 19-3099 | $101,110 | -1.7% Decline | ~3,200 | Bachelor's degree |
Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other SOC 25-1069 | $72,990 | +1.7% Little or no change | ~1,500 | Doctoral or professional degree |
Survey Researchers SOC 19-3022 | $69,460 | -5.2% Decline | ~700 | Master's degree |
Sociologists SOC 19-3041 | $106,030 | +3.6% About as fast as average | ~300 | Master'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 Research Methodology and Quantitative 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 Social Sciences specializations
The 3 other 6-digit CIP codes under Social Sciences (CIP 45.01).
Common questions
What degrees can I earn in this program?+
You can earn a master's degree, bachelor's degree, postbaccalaureate certificate, or a doctor's degree in research/scholarship.
What skills will I develop?+
You will develop skills in mathematics, critical thinking, data analysis, and effective communication.
What types of jobs can I get after graduation?+
Graduates can work as statisticians, survey researchers, or in various social science roles.
What is the job outlook for this field?+
The job outlook is much faster than average, with an expected growth rate of 8.5%.
What is the CIP code for Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods?+
Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods is CIP 45.0102 in the NCES Classification of Instructional Programs (CIP 2020), a 6-digit specialization within Social Sciences (CIP 45.01). NCES defines it as: A program that focuses on the design of research studies, measurement of variables, data analysis, and formulation of models. Includes instruction in experimental, quasi-experimental, and case study methods; historical research; participant observation; questionnaire design; sampling theory; and statistical methods.
How many institutions offer Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods programs?+
65 U.S. institutions reported Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods graduates in IPEDS 2024–25, across 33 states, awarding 2,284 credentials in the year. That is 13.2% of all Social Sciences graduates.
How much do Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods graduates earn?+
Earnings are not published at the 6-digit CIP level by any federal source. The Statisticians occupation, which Research Methodology and Quantitative Methods most directly leads to, pays a median of $105,650 a year nationally (BLS OEWS May 2025), and graduates of the broader Social Sciences field report median earnings of $37,472 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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