Clinical Research Coordination: Program Overview, Universities, Careers & Salaries
Program Overview
Clinical Research Coordination is a specialized field focused on the efficient and ethical management of clinical trials from initiation to completion. Professionals in this role play a vital part in advancing medical science by ensuring studies are conducted with precision, integrity, and adherence to regulatory standards.
- Pharmacology: Study of drug actions, mechanisms, and effects on the human body, essential for understanding trial medications and their implications.
- Medical Terminology: Mastery of standardized medical language to accurately document, communicate, and interpret clinical findings and patient data.
- Foundations of Clinical Research: Core principles governing the structure, purpose, and lifecycle of clinical investigations in healthcare settings.
- Project Management: Application of planning, scheduling, and resource coordination to ensure trials meet timelines, budgets, and objectives.
- Research Ethics: Understanding of moral responsibilities in human subjects research, including informed consent and participant rights.
- Research Design: Skills in developing robust study protocols, selecting appropriate methodologies, and ensuring scientific validity.
- Data Management: Techniques for collecting, organizing, validating, and securing clinical trial data to support accurate analysis and reporting.
- Legal and Regulatory Compliance: Knowledge of federal and international guidelines, including FDA regulations and Good Clinical Practice (GCP), to maintain trial integrity and accountability.
Clinical Research Coordination Graduate Trends (2010-2024)
Clinical Research Coordination Career Pathways & Salary Outlook
The following table presents salary data for occupations typically aligned with Clinical Research Coordination degrees, including Managers, All Other, Medical and Health Services Managers and Education Administrators, Postsecondary. 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 1,373,240 professionals.
National Average Salaries
| Occupation | Median Salary | Salary Range | Total Employment | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Education Administrators, Postsecondary 11-9033 | $103,960 | $63,820 - $212,420 | 176,420 | $49.98 |
Clinical Research Coordination Salary Map by State
Geographic location significantly impacts earning potential for these careers. Average salaries range from $83,990 in Arkansas to $149,117 in New York—a 78% difference. The highest-paying states include New York, District of Columbia, and California. Nationwide, these occupations employ over 1,373,240 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 Clinical Research Coordination by Graduate Enrollment
Below are the top 16 institutions offering Clinical Research Coordination 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 Clinical Research Coordination is found at Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (103 graduates), George Washington University (GW) (70 graduates), MCPHS University (MCPHS) (50 graduates), Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) (36 graduates), and Drexel University (31 graduates). Combined, these colleges produced 347 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Johns Hopkins University (JHU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
103 | Baltimore, Maryland | Private | jhu.edu |
| George Washington University (GW) |
Bachelor's
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
70 | Washington, District of Columbia | Private | gwu.edu |
| MCPHS University (MCPHS) |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
50 | Boston, Massachusetts | Private | mcphs.edu |
| Durham Technical Community College (Durham Tech) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
36 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | durhamtech.edu |
| Drexel University |
Postbac Cert.
Master's
|
31 | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Private | drexel.edu |
| Pima Community College (PCC) |
Associate's
Other Award
|
20 | Tucson, Arizona | Public | pima.edu |
| Florida State College (FSCJ) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
10 | Jacksonville, Florida | Public | fscj.edu |
| Northwest Vista College (NVC) |
Associate's
Residency
|
7 | San Antonio, Texas | Public | alamo.edu |
| Hillsborough Community College (HCC) |
Certificate (1-2 yrs)
Associate's
|
5 | Tampa, Florida | Public | hccfl.edu |
| University of Rochester |
Postbac Cert.
|
4 | Rochester, New York | Private | rochester.edu |
| Fairleigh Dickinson University (FDU) |
Master's
|
3 | Madison, New Jersey | Private | fdu.edu |
| Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) |
Postbac Cert.
|
3 | Richmond, Virginia | Public | vcu.edu |
| North Carolina Central University (NCCU) |
Bachelor's
|
2 | Durham, North Carolina | Public | nccu.edu |
| GateWay Community College (GWCC) |
Other Award
|
1 | Phoenix, Arizona | Public | gatewaycc.edu |
| University of Cincinnati (UC) |
Master's
|
1 | Cincinnati, Ohio | Public | uc.edu |
| The University of Tennessee Health Science Center (UTHSC) |
Postbac Cert.
|
1 | Memphis, Tennessee | Public | uthsc.edu |
Frequently Asked Questions
Find answers to the most common questions about Clinical Research Coordination programs
How much can I earn with a Clinical Research Coordination degree?
Salaries for Clinical Research Coordination graduates vary by role and location. Managers, All Other earn a median of $136,550 annually, while Medical and Health Services Managers earn around $117,960. Geographic location significantly impacts earnings—professionals in New York average $149,117 compared to $83,990 in Arkansas. Approximately 1,373,240 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 Clinical Research Coordination programs?
Currently 16 accredited institutions offer Clinical Research Coordination degrees across the U.S. Programs with the highest enrollment include Johns Hopkins University (JHU) (103 graduates), George Washington University (GW) (70 graduates), and MCPHS University (MCPHS) (50 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 Clinical Research Coordination growing or declining?
Graduate numbers have increased over the past decade, rising from 83 in 2010 to 347 in 2023-24. This represents a 318% 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 Clinical Research Coordination degree?
This degree prepares you for roles such as Managers, All Other, Medical and Health Services Managers, and Education Administrators, Postsecondary. Related occupations employ approximately 1,373,240 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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