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Research Associate Education Requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a research associate. Research associates usually study biology, chemistry, or biochemistry, biophysics, molecular biology. 63% of research associates hold a bachelor's degree, and 20% hold an master's degree. We analyzed 49,981 real research associate resumes to see exactly what research associate education sections show.
The most common colleges for research associates are the University of California - Davis and the University of California - Davis.
There are also many online research associate courses to help get the education required to be a research associate.
There are certain research associate certifications that you should consider. These research associate certifications include Certified Clinical Research Professional (CCRP) and Clinical Research Assistant.
What education do you need to become a research associate?
What degree do you need to be a research associate?
- Bachelor's, 63%
- Master's, 20%
- Doctorate, 11%
- Associate, 3%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a research associate?
- Biology, 20%
- Chemistry, 13%
- Psychology, 7%
- Other Majors, 49%
Most common colleges for research associates
| Research Associate Common College | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of California - Davis | 13.77% |
| University of California, Santa Barbara | 12.19% |
| University of Maryland - College Park | 6.27% |
| University of California, Berkeley | 5.56% |
| New York University | 5.11% |
Best majors for research associates
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Biology | 19.8% |
| 2 | Chemistry | 13.3% |
| 3 | Biochemistry, Biophysics, Molecular Biology | 10.7% |
| 4 | Psychology | 7.1% |
| 5 | Business | 5.6% |
Best colleges for research associates
The best colleges for research associates are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and University of Pennsylvania.
A research associate 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 associates. 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 associates.
1. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-State Tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
2. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-State Tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
3. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
In-State Tuition
$53,740
Enrollment
5,567
5. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
6. Cornell University
Ithaca, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,188
Enrollment
15,105
7. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
In-State Tuition
$55,695
Enrollment
6,596
8. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-State Tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
9. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$51,354
Enrollment
7,083
10. Vanderbilt University
Nashville, TN • Private
In-State Tuition
$49,816
Enrollment
6,840
20 best online courses for research associates
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1. How to Visualize Research Data in Tableau
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...
2. Understanding Research Methods
This MOOC is about demystifying research and research methods. It will outline the fundamentals of doing research, aimed primarily, but not exclusively, at the postgraduate level. It places the student experience at the centre of our endeavours by engaging learners in a range of robust and challenging discussions and exercises befitting SOAS, University of London's status as a research-intensive university and its rich research heritage. The course will appeal to those of you who require an...
3. Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint
Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation...
4. The Beginners Course for Clinical Research
The Essentials of Clinical Trials - Clinical Research for Beginners...
5. Understanding Clinical Research: Behind the Statistics
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. Survey Data Collection and Analytics
This specialization covers the fundamentals of surveys as used in market research, evaluation research, social science and political research, official government statistics, and many other topic domains. In six courses, you will learn the basics of questionnaire design, data collection methods, sampling design, dealing with missing values, making estimates, combining data from different sources, and the analysis of survey data. In the final Capstone Project, you’ll apply the skills learned...
7. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced
Master Qualitative Research Method, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis and more with MAXQDA Analytics...
8. Global Marketing Research and Analytics
Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...
9. Clinical Trials Data Management and Quality Assurance
In this course, you’ll learn to collect and care for the data gathered during your trial and how to prevent mistakes and errors through quality assurance practices. Clinical trials generate an enormous amount of data, so you and your team must plan carefully by choosing the right collection instruments, systems, and measures to protect the integrity of your trial data. You’ll learn how to assemble, clean, and de-identify your datasets. Finally, you’ll learn to find and correct deficiencies...
10. Market Research
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...
11. Research Methodology
Academic Research Business Research Thesis & Dissertation Report Research Paper / Journal...
12. Introduction to Qualitative Research Methods
Learn the basics of conducting qualitative research. Learn to design interviews, conduct observations, and analyze data...
13. The Simplest Guide to Clinical Trials Data Analysis with SAS
Step into the world of Pharmaceutical industry Clinical Trials Clinical Research Biostatistics Clinical SAS SAS...
14. Basic of Clinical Data Management
Clinical Data Management...
15. Statistics / Data Analysis: Survey Data and Likert Scales
How to Process Survey Data and Analyze Likert Scales In SPSS...
16. Research Methods and Statistics: An Introduction (2023 Ed.)
A Primer in Research Methodology and Statistics in the Social Sciences (2023 Edition)...
17. Clinical Research for beginners
The Art of Publishing - Master Pub Med, Study design, Biostatistics, Journal choice, Manuscript writing & Referencing...
18. Research Methods For Business Students
A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!...
19. Complete Data Wrangling & Data Visualisation With Python
Learn to Preprocess, Wrangle and Visualise Data For Practical Data Science Applications in Python...
20. Marketing Research: support your marketing decisions
Discover the extra advantage of any Business. A practical step by step guide to Marketing Information and Research...
Top 10 most affordable universities for research associates
The most affordable schools for research associates 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 associates 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 associates.
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. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,338
Cost of Attendance
14,281
6. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-State Tuition
$5,620
Cost of Attendance
18,136
7. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-State Tuition
$7,240
Cost of Attendance
13,991
8. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,410
Cost of Attendance
20,456
9. California State University - Los Angeles
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-State Tuition
$6,749
Cost of Attendance
14,823
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 associates
The hardest universities for research associates to get into are Harvard University, Columbia University in the City of New York, and University of Pennsylvania.
Some great schools for research associates 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 associates 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. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions Rate
6%
SAT Average
1,512
3. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,492
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions Rate
11%
SAT Average
1,513
5. Duke University
Durham, NC • Private
Admissions Rate
9%
SAT Average
1,516
6. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions Rate
8%
SAT Average
1,508
7. Stanford University
Stanford, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
4%
SAT Average
1,497
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. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
17%
SAT Average
1,507
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for research associates
The easiest schools for research associates to get into are Mount Saint Mary's University, barry university, and kean university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a research associate 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 associates.
1. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
84%
SAT Average
1,031
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions Rate
91%
SAT Average
1,006
3. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions Rate
86%
SAT Average
991
4. Cardinal Stritch University
Milwaukee, WI • Private
Admissions Rate
71%
SAT Average
1,035
5. Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey - Camden
Camden, NJ • Private
Admissions Rate
71%
SAT Average
1,086
6. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions Rate
93%
SAT Average
994
7. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions Rate
72%
SAT Average
1,054
8. American International College
Springfield, MA • Private
Admissions Rate
68%
SAT Average
1,010
9. Rosemont College
Rosemont, PA • Private
Admissions Rate
89%
SAT Average
1,026
10. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions Rate
98%
SAT Average
1,003
Average research associate salary by education level
| Research Associate education level | Research Associate salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $69,492 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $58,537 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $60,810 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $63,340 |
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025