by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 65 U.S. colleges awarded 2,317 degrees and certificates in Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 86% of graduates. College Factual ranks 19 schools in its 2027 Best Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $37,530 one year after completing, rising to $52,330 after four years.
Studying Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods explores Research Methodology And Quantitative Methods. 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. Examples: [Methodology, Measurement, And Statistics].
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
Across the country, research methodology & quantitative methods is a widely-pursued major, with 2,317 degrees awarded annually. 65 colleges award research methodology & quantitative methods degrees, an average of 36 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 604.
By level, the 2,317 awards include 239 bachelor’s degrees, 1,996 master’s degrees and 82 doctorates.
Women earned 66% of research methodology & quantitative methods degrees and certificates in the latest year (1,525 of 2,317). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (547) and Asian (267), and international students earned 994.
College Factual ranks 19 schools in its 2027 Best Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Schools ranking, including 9 for bachelor’s degrees and 13 for master’s degrees. It also ranks research methodology & quantitative methods schools within 7 states. In all, 65 colleges offer research methodology & quantitative methods programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common research methodology & quantitative methods credential is the master’s degree: 1,996 of the 2,317 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to research methodology & quantitative methods call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Speaking, and for knowledge of English Language, Administration and Management and Mathematics, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Expression, Written Expression and Written Comprehension.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a research methodology & quantitative methods degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 239 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,996 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 82 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to research methodology & quantitative methods, at 46.2%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 46.2% |
| Master’s degree | 23.7% |
| Doctoral degree | 7.8% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 7.1% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 4.7% |
| Some college courses | 3.2% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 3.1% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 1.9% |
| Post-doctoral training | 1.7% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 0.5% |
| First professional degree | 0.2% |
Source: O*NET Online.
14 occupations are related to Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods, with an average median salary of $101,731; the strongest outlook belongs to Compliance Managers, at 13.0% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Liberal Arts Teacher, Social Science Professor, Lecturer and Urban Planning Professor.
The occupation related to research methodology & quantitative methods with the most projected jobs is Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other, at 1,421,275.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences Teachers, Postsecondary, All Other | 1,421,275 | 11.1% |
| Managers, All Other | 468,025 | 6.2% |
| Compliance Managers | 310,203 | 13.0% |
| Statisticians | 307,132 | 6.6% |
| Loss Prevention Managers | 265,210 | 2.2% |
| Regulatory Affairs Managers | 206,415 | 9.9% |
| Sociologists | 143,776 | 3.0% |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | 128,884 | 5.2% |
Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods graduates earn a median $37,530 one year after completing their program, $52,330 after four years and $50,237 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $37,530 |
| 4 years | $52,330 |
| 5 years | $50,237 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to research methodology & quantitative methods is Wind Energy Development Managers, with a median salary of $169,952.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Wind Energy Development Managers | $169,952 |
| Loss Prevention Managers | $165,723 |
| Statisticians | $130,349 |
| Wind Energy Operations Managers | $122,567 |
| Biostatisticians | $121,594 |
| Compliance Managers | $117,178 |
| Survey Researchers | $108,538 |
| Brownfield Redevelopment Specialists and Site Managers | $99,321 |
Research Methodology & Quantitative Methods has 3 similar majors in the Social Sciences field, which together award 15,241 degrees a year; the largest are Social Sciences, General (15,214), Survey Research/Methodology (18) and Social Sciences, Other (9). Browse all Social Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Social Sciences, General | 15,214 |
| Survey Research/Methodology | 18 |
| Social Sciences, Other | 9 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
