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Survey researcher education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a survey researcher. Survey researchers usually study business, psychology, or marketing. 58% of survey researchers hold a bachelor's degree, and 14% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 819 real survey researcher resumes to see exactly what survey researcher education sections show.
The most common colleges for survey researchers are the Michigan State University and the Michigan State University.
There are also many online survey researcher courses to help get the education required to be a survey researcher.
What education do you need to become a survey researcher?
What degree do you need to be a survey researcher?
- Bachelor's, 58%
- High School Diploma, 14%
- Associate, 13%
- Master's, 8%
- Other Degrees, 7%
What should I major in to become a survey researcher?
- Business, 17%
- Psychology, 9%
- Marketing, 7%
- Sociology, 7%
- Other Majors, 60%
Most common colleges for survey researchers
| Survey researcher common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| Michigan State University | 16.00% |
| Louisiana State University and A&M College | 9.33% |
| The University of Alabama | 6.67% |
| University of Illinois at Springfield | 5.33% |
| University of Florida | 5.33% |
Best majors for survey researchers
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Business | 17.4% |
| 2 | Psychology | 8.9% |
| 3 | Marketing | 7.4% |
| 4 | Sociology | 7.1% |
| 5 | Political Science | 6.7% |
Best colleges for survey researchers
The best colleges for survey researchers are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.
A survey researcher with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for survey researchers. 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 survey researchers.
1. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$55,584
Enrollment
10,764
2. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
3. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
4. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$53,948
Enrollment
17,238
5. New York University
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$51,828
Enrollment
26,339
6. Pennsylvania State University
University Park, PA • Private
In-state tuition
$18,454
Enrollment
40,108
7. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
8. SUNY at Binghamton
Vestal, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$9,808
Enrollment
13,990
9. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
In-state tuition
$50,420
Enrollment
7,582
10. Ball State University
Muncie, IN • Private
In-state tuition
$9,896
Enrollment
15,529
20 best online courses for survey researchers
Advertising disclosure
1. 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...
2. Analyze Survey Data with Tableau
Surveys are used in a variety of scenarios, both in businesses and in research. Companies are using them to better understand consumer insights and feedback, and researchers are going beyond the traditional uses to learn more about the world around us. Tableau can help visualize survey data of all kinds in a useful way—without needing advanced statistics, graphic design, or a statistics background. In this project, learners will learn how to create an account in Tableau and how to manipulate...
3. Statistics / Data Analysis: Survey Data and Likert Scales
How to Process Survey Data and Analyze Likert Scales In SPSS...
4. The Ultimate Guide for Land Surveying with Drones - Part 3
Master the use of Ground Control Points (GCPs) to make your UAV mapping projects absolutely survey grade!!...
5. Use SurveyMonkey to Create a Survey and Analyze Results
In this project, we will walk through the survey making process and explore the many ways that SurveyMonkey streamlines and simplifies data collection. We will learn how the program is organized and how it operates, helping you feel comfortable and confident enough to create your own survey to meet your own individual needs. SurveyMonkey is a cloud based survey software which allows its users to create online surveys for free. SurveyMonkey can help move a business in the right direction by...
6. Market Research
"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...
7. Market Research: Dekker's Complete Marketing Research Course
Competitor Analysis, Market Research Analysis, Marketing Analytics, Consumer Analytics, Conversion Rate Optimization...
8. An Introduction to Online Quantitative Market Research
Learn how to effectively conceptualise, design, execute and apply quantitative online research like a PRO!...
9. Utilize Survey Monkey as an Evaluation Tool
Surveys and evaluations can be used to reflect on your training or customer experiences. The data you collect can help to adjust your training and you can find out directly from your employees if they are satisfied. Customers can let you know what they are thinking and what they actually want. In this project you will learn about Survey Monkey as an evaluation tool throughout the cycle of developing an event. By the end of your time in this project you will have multiple evaluation surveys to...
10. Market Research and Consumer Behavior
Your marketing quest begins here! The first course in this specialization lays the neccessary groundwork for an overall successful marketing strategy. It is separated into two sections: Market Research and Consumer Behavior. Gain the tools and techniques to translate a decision problem into a research question in the Market Research module. Learn how to design a research plan, analyze the data gathered and accurately interpret and communicate survey reports, translating the results into...
11. The Ultimate Guide for Land Surveying with Drones - Part 2
Learn to work with Pix4D & Drone Deploy outputs on QGIS, Auto CAD & Google Earth. Start your own UAV mapping business now!...
12. The Ultimate Guide for Land Surveying with Drones - Part 1
Master the complete workflow using Drone Deploy, Litchi and Pix4D. Start your own UAV mapping business right away!...
13. Design a User Experience Survey in SurveyMonkey
By the end of this project you will be able to design a User Experience survey that will collect data to uncover user needs, how products meet those needs, and mine insights that will aid in building and designing solutions. To do this, you will gain hands-on experience designing a User Experience survey with a free account on the SurveyMonkey cloud-based software service. Note: This course works best for learners who are based in the North America region. We’re currently working on providing...
14. Quantity Surveying With Rate Analysis And Take Off-Beginners
Quantity Surveying, Quantity Takeoff, Estimation, Rate Analysis, Blubeam Revu, Planswift, Costing, Construction Drawings...
15. Quantity Surveying Building Estimation BBS with Excel & CAD
Quantity Surveying, Construction Estimation ,Quantity survey ,Cost Estimation ,Civil engineering, Building Estimation...
16. Market Research: A-Z Fundamentals with Case Studies
Learn Market Sizing & Forecasting, Survey Design, Customer & Competitor Analysis to become a PRO Market Research Analyst...
17. Complete KoboToolbox Training Course
Learn the basic & advanced techniques of developing & deploying mobile survey data collection forms with Kobo Toolbox...
18. Fundamentals of Data Analysis for Big Data
This course prepares participants to begin running data analysis on databases...
19. Global Marketing Research and Analytics
Understand and conduct market research on a global scale...
20. Qualitative Data Analysis using MAXQDA: Scratch to Advanced
Master Qualitative Research Method, Content Analysis, Grounded Theory, Thematic Analysis and more with MAXQDA Analytics...
Top 10 most affordable universities for survey researchers
The most affordable schools for survey researchers are Baruch College of the City University of New York, university of florida, and california state university - long beach.
If the best universities for survey researchers 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 survey researchers.
1. Baruch College of the City University of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,262
Cost of attendance
14,046
2. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
3. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
4. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
5. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
6. USF Sarasota-Manatee
Sarasota, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,587
Cost of attendance
13,043
7. University of South Florida
Tampa, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,410
Cost of attendance
20,456
8. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
9. USF St. Petersburg
St. Petersburg, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,821
Cost of attendance
19,849
10. SUNY Farmingdale
Farmingdale, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$8,306
Cost of attendance
16,091
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for survey researchers
The hardest universities for survey researchers to get into are Northwestern University, University of Pennsylvania, and Washington University in St Louis.
Some great schools for survey researchers 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 survey researchers 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
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of Pennsylvania
Philadelphia, PA • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,492
3. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
4. Johns Hopkins University
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
11%
SAT average
1,513
5. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
6%
SAT average
1,512
6. Carnegie Mellon University
Pittsburgh, PA • Private
Admissions rate
17%
SAT average
1,507
7. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
13%
SAT average
1,445
8. Harvard University
Cambridge, MA • Private
Admissions rate
5%
SAT average
1,520
9. New York University
New York, NY • Private
Admissions rate
20%
SAT average
1,419
10. Boston University
Boston, MA • Private
Admissions rate
22%
SAT average
1,420
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for survey researchers
The easiest schools for survey researchers to get into are Felician University, oklahoma wesleyan university, and mount saint mary's university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a survey researcher 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 survey researchers.
1. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
2. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
3. Mount Saint Mary's University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,031
4. William Paterson University of New Jersey
Wayne, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
93%
SAT average
994
5. University of Houston - Downtown
Houston, TX • Private
Admissions rate
83%
SAT average
1,012
6. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
7. American International College
Springfield, MA • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
1,010
8. San Francisco State University
San Francisco, CA • Private
Admissions rate
72%
SAT average
1,054
9. Notre Dame de Namur University
Belmont, CA • Private
Admissions rate
82%
SAT average
983
10. University of Baltimore
Baltimore, MD • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,020
Average survey researcher salary by education level
| Survey researcher education level | Survey researcher salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $54,422 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $47,853 |
| Doctorate Degree | $58,149 |
Survey researcher education FAQs
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Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025