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Research assistant member education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a research assistant member. Research assistant members usually study biology, psychology, or business. 56% of research assistant members hold a bachelor's degree, and 13% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 1,388 real research assistant member resumes to see exactly what research assistant member education sections show.

The most common colleges for research assistant members are the University of Florida and the University of Florida.

There are also many online research assistant member courses to help get the education required to be a research assistant member.

There are certain research assistant member certifications that you should consider. These research assistant member certifications include Medical Assistant and Certified Nurse Assistant (CNA).

What education do you need to become a research assistant member?

What degree do you need to be a research assistant member?

The most common degree for research assistant members is bachelor's degree, with 56% of research assistant members earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are master's degree degree at 13% and master's degree degree at 10%.
  • Bachelor's, 56%
  • Master's, 13%
  • Associate, 10%
  • Doctorate, 8%
  • Other Degrees, 13%

What should I major in to become a research assistant member?

You should major in biology to become a research assistant member. 14% of research assistant members major in biology. Other common majors for a research assistant member include psychology and business.

Most common colleges for research assistant members

Research assistant members often get their degrees at University of Florida, New York University, and University of California - Davis. Here are the most common colleges for research assistant members in the US based on their resumes.
Research assistant member common collegePercentages
University of Florida7.50%
New York University7.50%
University of California - Davis6.67%
University of California, Santa Barbara5.83%
University of Phoenix5.83%

Best majors for research assistant members

RankMajorPercentages
1Biology14.3%
2Psychology12.0%
3Business10.7%
4Nursing8.3%
5Chemistry7.8%

Best colleges for research assistant members

The best colleges for research assistant members are Harvard University, Duke University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

A research assistant member with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for research assistant members. 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 research assistant members.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

2. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

In-state tuition

$50,420

Enrollment

7,582

3. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

In-state tuition

$53,740

Enrollment

5,567

4. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

6. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

In-state tuition

$55,584

Enrollment

10,764

7. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

In-state tuition

$53,399

Enrollment

7,356

8. SUNY Stony Brook

Stony Brook, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$9,625

Enrollment

17,407

9. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

10. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

In-state tuition

$49,816

Enrollment

6,840

20 best online courses for research assistant members

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1. Psychological Research

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This specialization is primarily aimed at first- and second-year undergraduates interested in psychology, data analysis, ethics in research, and quantitative research methods along with high school students and professionals with similar interests.\n\nLearners will develop knowledge about the fundamentals of research design for quantitative studies in psychology, analysis of data from quantitative studies in psychology, and ethical standards for conducting psychological research. Learning...

2. Market Research

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The Market Research Specialisation focuses on the essentials of research and the research process. This Specialisation will teach you how to use qualitative and quantitative research methods, how to develop and manage a questionnaire development strategy, how to develop measurements, how to collect data and how to analyze and present them.\n\nOnce you have completed this Specialisation, you will have a good understanding of market research including:\n\nEssentials of market research Components...

3. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint

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Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...

4. Research Methodology

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Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...

5. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics

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If you’ve ever skipped over the results section of a medical paper because terms like “confidence interval” or “p-value” go over your head, then you’re in the right place. You may be a clinical practitioner reading research articles to keep up-to-date with developments in your field or a medical student wondering how to approach your own research. Greater confidence in understanding statistical analysis and the results can benefit both working professionals and those undertaking research...

6. Data Science for Health Research

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In Data Science for Health Research, learn to organize and visualize health data using statistical analysis in programs like R. Explore how to translate data, interpret statistical models, and predict outcomes to help make data-informed decisions within the public health field...

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Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...

9. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau

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Publishing research often requires the preparation of visual elements like charts, tables, and graphs to better explain the text in a research report. Creating these elements can be done easily and effectively in Tableau. Using Tableau, large and small data sets can be visualized with precision, creativity, interactivity, and options in Tableau. After taking this course learners will know how to create a table, a geovisualization, and a pie chart. Three of the most common research...

10. Market Research

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"Finding the Story in the Data” is the most important emerging capability for market researchers according to GRIT (Greenbook Research Industry Trends) Report 2016. This specialization, designed for learners with no previous Marketing Research experience teaches a comprehensive marketing research approach that will help learners find and communicate the story in the data.\n\nStudents will learn how to initiate a research project for targeted business needs, conduct research through multiple...

11. Applied Statistical Modeling for Data Analysis in R

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Your Complete Guide to Statistical Data Analysis and Visualization For Practical Applications in R...

12. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods

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Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...

13. Qualitative Research

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In this course, the second in the Market Research Specialization, you will go in-depth with qualitative market research methods, from design to implementation to analysis. Week 1: Define qualitative research and how it differs from quantitative research. Explore the various qualitative research methods and evaluate when and how to use them for your research project. Week 2: Design the qualitative instruments necessary for your interviews or focus groups, and plan your recruitment efforts. Write...

14. Data Science:Data Mining & Natural Language Processing in R

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Harness the Power of Machine Learning in R for Data/Text Mining, & Natural Language Processing with Practical Examples...

15. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions

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Discover the extra advantage of any Business. A practical step by step guide to Marketing Information and Research...

16. How to conduct market research in startups and small firms?

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17. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced

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18. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research

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Learn how to effectively conceptualise, design, execute and apply quantitative online research like a PRO!...

19. Market Research: A-Z Fundamentals with Case Studies

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Learn Market Sizing & Forecasting, Survey Design, Customer & Competitor Analysis to become a PRO Market Research Analyst...

20. R Programming: Advanced Analytics In R For Data Science

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Take Your R & R Studio Skills To The Next Level. Data Analytics, Data Science, Statistical Analysis in Business, GGPlot2...

Top 10 most affordable universities for research assistant members

The most affordable schools for research assistant members are Hunter College of the City University of New York, baruch college of the city university of new york, and california state university - bakersfield.

If the best universities for research assistant members 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 research assistant members.

1. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

2. Baruch College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,262

Cost of attendance

14,046

3. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

4. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

5. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

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 - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. Queens College of the City University of New York

Queens, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,338

Cost of attendance

14,281

10. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for research assistant members

The hardest universities for research assistant members to get into are Harvard University, Duke University, and Columbia University in the City of New York.

Some great schools for research assistant members 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 research assistant members 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. Harvard University

Cambridge, MA • Private

Admissions rate

5%

SAT average

1,520

2. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

9%

SAT average

1,516

3. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

6%

SAT average

1,512

4. University of Pennsylvania

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,492

5. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

8%

SAT average

1,508

6. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

7. Carnegie Mellon University

Pittsburgh, PA • Private

Admissions rate

17%

SAT average

1,507

8. Vanderbilt University

Nashville, TN • Private

Admissions rate

10%

SAT average

1,514

9. Washington University in St Louis

Saint Louis, MO • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,506

10. Cornell University

Ithaca, NY • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,471

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for research assistant members

The easiest schools for research assistant members to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, felician university, and barry university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a research assistant member 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 research assistant members.

1. Mount Saint Mary's University

Los Angeles, CA • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,031

2. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

3. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

4. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

5. Cardinal Stritch University

Milwaukee, WI • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,035

6. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden

Camden, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

71%

SAT average

1,086

7. William Paterson University of New Jersey

Wayne, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

93%

SAT average

994

8. San Francisco State University

San Francisco, CA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,054

9. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

10. American International College

Springfield, MA • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

1,010

Average research assistant member salary by education level

According to our data, research assistant members with a Master's degree earn the highest average salary, at $120,258 annually. Research assistant members with a Associate degree earn an average annual salary of $106,788.
Research assistant member education levelResearch assistant member salary
Master's Degree$120,258
High School Diploma or Less$96,525
Bachelor's Degree$101,354
Some College/ Associate Degree$106,788

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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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.

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