Research and Development Management: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Research and Development Management equips professionals with the strategic leadership skills needed to oversee complex innovation initiatives across scientific, engineering, clinical, and social science domains. This program integrates business acumen with technical expertise to drive high-impact research and technology development in both public and private organizations.
- Strategic Innovation Leadership: Develops the ability to set vision, align resources, and guide R&D initiatives from concept to commercialization, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and market demands.
- Project and Program Management: Covers methodologies for planning, executing, and monitoring R&D projects, including risk assessment, timeline control, budgeting, and cross-functional team coordination.
- Scientific and Technical Oversight: Builds foundational and advanced technical knowledge in one or more research disciplines, enabling informed decision-making in technology-driven environments.
- Operational and Logistical Coordination: Addresses the complexities of managing facilities, equipment, supply chains, and workflows essential to uninterrupted research and development activities.
- Research Ethics and Compliance: Explores regulatory frameworks, data integrity standards, and ethical guidelines governing research practices in healthcare, engineering, and social sciences.
- Intellectual Property and Technology Transfer: Focuses on protecting innovations through patents, licensing strategies, and mechanisms for transitioning research outcomes into practical applications or commercial products.
- Stakeholder Engagement and Communication: Enhances skills in presenting technical findings to diverse audiences, including executives, investors, regulators, and research teams, to secure support and funding.
Research and Development Management Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Research and Development Management Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Research and Development Management degrees, including Natural Sciences Managers, Managers, All Other and Medical and Health Services Managers. These career paths represent common employment outcomes but are not guaranteed for all graduates. Salary ranges vary by location, employer, experience level, and specific role requirements. Nationally, these occupations employ approximately 1,379,470 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Natural Sciences Managers 11-9121 | $161,180 | $79,830 - $239,200 | 100,870 | $77.49 |
| Managers, All Other 11-9199 | $136,550 | $68,860 - $227,590 | 630,980 | $65.65 |
| Medical and Health Services Managers 11-9111 | $117,960 | $69,680 - $219,080 | 565,840 | $56.71 |
| Business Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1011 | $97,270 | $46,460 - $210,530 | 81,780 | N/A |
Research and Development Management Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $87,898 in Indiana to $159,163 in California—a 81% difference. The highest-paying states include California, District of Columbia, and Massachusetts. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,379,470 professionals across all states. Explore the interactive map below to compare regional compensation and identify optimal markets for your career goals.
Average Salary Range:
Top Universities for Research and Development Management by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 25 institutions offering Research and Development Management programs for the 2023-2024 academic year (the most recent data reported as of 2025), ranked by the number of graduates. The highest graduate enrollment in Research and Development Management is found at Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (62 graduates), Ashford University (UAGC) (44 graduates), University of Kansas (KU) (20 graduates), Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (19 graduates), and Texas Christian University (TCU) (18 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 268 graduates across all degree levels. Program availability varies by award level, including Associate, Bachelor's, Master's, and Doctoral degrees at participating universities and schools.
| College Name | Award Levels | Graduates | Location | Control | Website |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona State University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
62 | Scottsdale, Arizona | Public | asu.edu |
| Ashford University (UAGC) |
Master's
|
44 | San Diego, California | Private | uagc.edu |
| University of Kansas (KU) |
Master's
|
20 | Lawrence, Kansas | Public | ku.edu |
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Master's
|
19 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| Texas Christian University (TCU) |
Master's
|
18 | Fort Worth, Texas | Private | tcu.edu |
| University of Southern Mississippi (USM) |
Bachelor's
|
17 | Hattiesburg, Mississippi | Public | usm.edu |
| Wake Forest University (WFC) |
Master's
|
15 | Winston-Salem, North Carolina | Private | wfu.edu |
| Austin Peay State University (APSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Clarksville, Tennessee | Public | apsu.edu |
| University of Maryland (UMB) |
Postbac Cert.
|
9 | Baltimore, Maryland | Public | umaryland.edu |
| The University of Texas Permian Basin |
Master's
|
8 | Odessa, Texas | Public | utpb.edu |
| University of San Diego (USD) |
Master's
|
6 | San Diego, California | Private | sandiego.edu |
| Northeastern University Professional Programs |
Master's
|
6 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | northeastern.edu |
| Fort Hays State University (FHSU) |
Associate's
|
5 | Hays, Kansas | Public | fhsu.edu |
| Emmanuel College |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
5 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | emmanuel.edu |
| University of South Dakota (USD) |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Vermillion, South Dakota | Public | usd.edu |
| Concordia University (CUC) |
Master's
|
4 | River Forest, Illinois | Private | cuchicago.edu |
| University of Detroit Mercy (UDM) |
Master's
|
3 | Detroit, Michigan | Private | udmercy.edu |
| University of Wisconsin-Stout |
Other Award
|
3 | Menomonie, Wisconsin | Public | uwstout.edu |
| Bentley University |
Master's
|
1 | Waltham, Massachusetts | Private | bentley.edu |
| Harvard University |
Master's
|
1 | Cambridge, Massachusetts | Private | harvard.edu |
| Central Michigan University (CMU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Mount Pleasant, Michigan | Public | cmich.edu |
| Winona State University (WSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Winona, Minnesota | Public | winona.edu |
| Oregon State University (OSU) |
Bachelor's
|
1 | Corvallis, Oregon | Public | oregonstate.edu |
| Regent University |
Master's
|
1 | Virginia Beach, Virginia | Private | regent.edu |
| Sonoran University of Health Sciences |
Master's
|
1 | Tempe, Arizona | Private | sonoran.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Research and Development Management programs
How much can I earn with a Research and Development Management degree?
Salaries for Research and Development Management graduates vary by role and location. Natural Sciences Managers earn a median of $161,180 annually, while Managers, All Other earn around $136,550. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in California average $159,163 compared to $87,898 in Indiana. Approximately 1,379,470 professionals work in related occupations nationwide.
Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS program, May 2024. Earnings vary by experience, employer, and market conditions.
Which universities have the largest Research and Development Management programs?
Currently 25 accredited institutions offer Research and Development Management degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Arizona State University, Digital Immersion (62 graduates), Ashford University (UAGC) (44 graduates), and University of Kansas (KU) (20 graduates).
Program size doesn't necessarily indicate quality—consider factors like faculty expertise, production opportunities, location, and available degree levels when choosing a school.
Data based on IPEDS program completions for 2023-2024 academic year. Numbers reflect programs where students graduated.
Is enrollment in Research and Development Management growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 15 in 2010 to 268 in 2023-24. This represents a 1,687% increase overall from 2010.
The field remains specialized with steady interest, though opportunities are most concentrated in major metropolitan areas with active arts scenes like New York, California, and Illinois.
Graduate enrollment data from IPEDS, 2010-2024 academic years. Trends reflect reported completions at participating institutions.
What career paths are available with a Research and Development Management degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Natural Sciences Managers, Managers, All Other, and Medical and Health Services Managers. Related occupations employ approximately 1,379,470 professionals nationwide.
Skills in project management, creative leadership, and collaboration also transfer to event planning, arts administration, marketing, and corporate training roles. Many professionals work freelance or on a project basis across theatre, film, and live events.
Career pathways mapped using CIP-SOC crosswalk from the National Center for Education Statistics. Employment data from BLS OEWS May 2024.
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