Associate research specialist education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become an associate research specialist. Associate research specialists usually study biology, psychology, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 75% of associate research specialists hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 285 real associate research specialist resumes to see exactly what associate research specialist education sections show.

The most common colleges for associate research specialists are the University of Wisconsin Colleges and the University of Wisconsin Colleges.

There are also many online associate research specialist courses to help get the education required to be an associate research specialist.

What education do you need to become an associate research specialist?

What degree do you need to be an associate research specialist?

The most common degree for associate research specialists is bachelor's degree, with 75% of associate research specialists earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 17% and master's degree degree at 4%.

Bachelor's, 75%

Master's, 17%

Doctorate, 4%

Associate, 2%

Other Degrees, 2%

What should I major in to become an associate research specialist?

You should major in biology to become an associate research specialist. 17% of associate research specialists major in biology. Other common majors for an associate research specialist include psychology and biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology.

Biology, 17%

Psychology, 15%

Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology, 12%

Chemistry, 8%

Other Majors, 48%

Most common colleges for associate research specialists

Associate research specialists often get their degrees at University of Wisconsin Colleges, University of Wisconsin - Madison, and University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point. Here are the most common colleges for associate research specialists in the US based on their resumes.

Associate research specialist common college	Percentages
University of Wisconsin Colleges	20.00%
University of Wisconsin - Madison	16.00%
University of Wisconsin - Stevens Point	13.00%
University of Michigan - Ann Arbor	6.00%
Texas A&M University San Antonio	5.00%

Show more common associate research specialist colleges

Best majors for associate research specialists

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Biology	16.6%
2	Psychology	14.7%
3	Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology	11.7%
4	Chemistry	8.0%
5	Business	6.7%

Show more common associate research specialist majors

Best colleges for associate research specialists

The best colleges for associate research specialists are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

An associate research specialist with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for associate research specialists. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become associate research specialists.

1. University of Maryland - College Park

College Park, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$10,595

Enrollment

30,184

2. University of Georgia

Athens, GA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,830

Enrollment

29,474

3. University of Wisconsin - Madison

Madison, WI • Private

In-state tuition

$10,555

Enrollment

30,360

4. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

In-state tuition

$54,568

Enrollment

8,451

6. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

7. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

8. Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • Private

In-state tuition

$9,992

Enrollment

33,495

9. Howard University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$26,756

Enrollment

6,166

10. Texas State University

San Marcos, TX • Private

In-state tuition

$10,280

Enrollment

34,187

20 best online courses for associate research specialists

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Top 10 most affordable universities for associate research specialists

The most affordable schools for associate research specialists are California State University - Long Beach, hunter college of the city university of new york, and university of florida.

If the best universities for associate research specialists are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for associate research specialists.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

5. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

6. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

9. Florida International University

Miami, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,556

Cost of attendance

19,434

10. California State University - Fresno

Fresno, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,587

Cost of attendance

16,915

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for associate research specialists

The hardest universities for associate research specialists to get into are Northwestern University, Johns Hopkins University, and Carnegie Mellon University.

Some great schools for associate research specialists are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for associate research specialists based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

2. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

3. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

5. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

6. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

7. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

8. Boston College

Chestnut Hill, MA • Private

Admissions rate

28%

SAT average

1,429

9. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,492

10. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for associate research specialists

The easiest schools for associate research specialists to get into are Oklahoma Wesleyan University, kean university, and university of the incarnate word.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as an associate research specialist without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for associate research specialists.

1. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

2. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

3. University of the Incarnate Word

San Antonio, TX • Private

Admissions rate

88%

SAT average

1,044

4. Gwynedd Mercy University

Gwynedd Valley, PA • Private

Admissions rate

92%

SAT average

1,031

5. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

6. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

7. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

8. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

9. Linfield College

McMinnville, OR • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

1,117

10. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

Average associate research specialist salary by education level

Associate research specialists with a Doctorate degree earn more than those without, at $56,729 annually. With a Master's degree, associate research specialists earn a median annual income of $56,206 compared to $49,326 for associate research specialists with an Bachelor's degree.

Associate research specialist education level	Associate research specialist salary
Master's Degree	$56,206
Bachelor's Degree	$49,326
Doctorate Degree	$56,729

Associate research specialist education FAQs

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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