Educational Assessment and Research: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Programs in Educational Assessment and Research equip students with advanced methodologies to analyze, evaluate, and improve educational systems, practices, and policies through rigorous data-driven inquiry. This interdisciplinary field integrates statistical analysis, research design, and assessment theory to support evidence-based decision-making in academic and institutional settings.
- Research Design and Methodology: Develops the ability to construct valid, reliable studies using qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-methods approaches to answer complex educational questions.
- Educational Measurement and Assessment: Focuses on designing, implementing, and interpreting assessments that accurately measure student learning, program effectiveness, and institutional outcomes.
- Statistical Analysis in Education: Applies advanced statistical techniques to analyze educational data, including regression modeling, multivariate analysis, and data visualization for actionable insights.
- Program Evaluation: Teaches systematic evaluation frameworks to assess the impact, efficiency, and equity of educational initiatives, curricula, and policy interventions.
- Data Ethics and Integrity: Emphasizes responsible data collection, privacy protection, and ethical standards in research to ensure transparency and accountability in educational inquiry.
- Policy Analysis and Evidence-Based Practice: Builds skills to translate research findings into practical recommendations that inform curriculum development, teaching strategies, and institutional policy.
Educational Assessment and Research Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Educational Assessment and Research Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Educational Assessment and Research degrees, including Statisticians, Management Analysts and Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other. 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 1,019,760 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Statisticians 15-2041 | $103,300 | $60,390 - $170,700 | 29,800 | $49.66 |
| Management Analysts 13-1111 | $101,190 | $59,720 - $174,140 | 893,900 | $48.65 |
| Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other 19-3099 | $100,340 | $62,570 - $160,810 | 36,970 | $48.24 |
| Education Teachers, Postsecondary 25-1081 | $72,090 | $38,650 - $126,450 | 59,090 | N/A |
Educational Assessment and Research Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $69,520 in Mississippi to $115,150 in District of Columbia—a 66% difference. The highest-paying states include District of Columbia, Delaware, and Maryland. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,019,760 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 Educational Assessment and Research by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 20 institutions offering Educational Assessment and Research 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 Educational Assessment and Research is found at University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (58 graduates), A T Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) (47 graduates), University of Georgia (UGA) (34 graduates), University of Nebraska (UNL), Lincoln (27 graduates), and NUC University (NUC) (25 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 298 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| University of California (UCSC) |
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
58 | Santa Cruz, California | Public | ucsc.edu |
| A T Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
Doctorate (Research)
|
47 | Kirksville, Missouri | Private | atsu.edu |
| University of Georgia (UGA) |
Postbac Cert.
|
34 | Athens, Georgia | Public | uga.edu |
| University of Nebraska (UNL) |
Master's
Post-Master's
|
27 | Lincoln, Nebraska | Public | unl.edu |
| NUC University (NUC) |
Master's
|
25 | Bayamon, Puerto Rico | Private | nuc.edu |
| Clemson University |
Doctorate (Research)
|
20 | Clemson, South Carolina | Public | clemson.edu |
| University of Illinois Chicago (UIC) |
Master's
|
19 | Chicago, Illinois | Public | uic.edu |
| Pennsylvania State University |
Bachelor's
|
16 | University Park, Pennsylvania | Public | psu.edu |
| Ball State University (BSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
12 | Muncie, Indiana | Public | bsu.edu |
| Southern Wesleyan University (SWU) |
Doctorate (Research)
|
9 | Central, South Carolina | Private | swu.edu |
| University of North Dakota (UND) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
6 | Grand Forks, North Dakota | Public | und.edu |
| University of Massachusetts |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Lowell, Massachusetts | Public | uml.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Postbac Cert.
|
5 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Georgia Southern University |
Master's
|
4 | Statesboro, Georgia | Public | georgiasouthern.edu |
| Western Michigan University (WMU) |
Postbac Cert.
Doctorate (Research)
|
4 | Kalamazoo, Michigan | Public | wmich.edu |
| Michigan State University (MSU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | East Lansing, Michigan | Public | msu.edu |
| University of Nevada (UNLV) |
Postbac Cert.
|
2 | Las Vegas, Nevada | Public | unlv.edu |
| University of Iowa |
Post-Master's
|
1 | Iowa City, Iowa | Public | uiowa.edu |
| University of Michigan |
Master's
|
1 | Dearborn, Michigan | Public | umdearborn.edu |
| Vermont State University (VTSU) |
Master's
|
1 | Randolph, Vermont | Public | vermontstate.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Educational Assessment and Research programs
How much can I earn with a Educational Assessment and Research degree?
Salaries for Educational Assessment and Research graduates vary by role and location. Statisticians earn a median of $103,300 annually, while Management Analysts earn around $101,190. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in District of Columbia average $115,150 compared to $69,520 in Mississippi. Approximately 1,019,760 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 Educational Assessment and Research programs?
Currently 20 accredited institutions offer Educational Assessment and Research degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include University of California (UCSC), Santa Cruz (58 graduates), A T Still University of Health Sciences (ATSU) (47 graduates), and University of Georgia (UGA) (34 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 Educational Assessment and Research growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 79 in 2010 to 298 in 2023-24. This represents a 277% 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 Educational Assessment and Research degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Statisticians, Management Analysts, and Social Scientists and Related Workers, All Other. Related occupations employ approximately 1,019,760 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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