Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other.
Data details: Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity, and summary are for this specific degree (6-digit CIP) from IPEDS. Salary, debt, and related financial outcomes are based on the degree category (4-digit CIP) from the College Scorecard API. ← Back to search
All data shown below (except Graduation rate, gender, ethnicity) is based on the category, not just this specific degree.
Please use your own discretion when interpreting these results. For certain degrees, a limited number of institutions report to the government's College Scorecard API, which may cause the data to be skewed or less representative of national trends. Consider these figures as informative but not definitive, and consult additional sources or advisors for important decisions.
Debt to Income Ratio
Debt-to-income analysis for Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other.: The DTI for this program is 54.2%, which is within the generally accepted range for higher education. While not as low as some top-performing degrees, this ratio suggests that most graduates can manage their student loan payments, especially if they secure employment in related fields. If you are considering Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other., compare your expected starting salary (currently $55573) to the average debt ($30148) to ensure it fits your financial goals in .
Degrees with a DTI between 0.5 and 0.8 are common, but it's wise to plan your budget and consider loan repayment options.
Important financial note for Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other.: The debt-to-income ratio for this program is 54.2%, which is above the recommended maximum of 80%. This means that, on average, graduates may need to dedicate a significant portion of their first-year earnings to student loan payments. If you are considering Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other., be sure to weigh the average starting salary ($55573) against the typical student debt ($30148), and explore scholarships, grants, or alternative funding sources to reduce your financial burden in and beyond.
Key Insights
If you’re thinking about Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other., you’re looking at a field that’s both challenging and rewarding. Typical starting salaries are around $55573, with grads carrying about $30148 in student loans and a debt-to-income ratio of 0.54—which is manageable for most.
Each year, over 4249 students complete this major, so you’ll have plenty of peers to connect with. Popular career outcomes include Management Analysts, a field with a projected growth of 9.0% in the near future. Whether you’re motivated by salary, job outlook, or the chance to build something meaningful, Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other. can help you get there. Make the most of your college years by seeking out hands-on experiences and building your network.
Degree Overview
Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research, Other (CIP 13.0699) is a highly technical and analytical field within the education sector. While many education degrees focus on the act of teaching, this field focuses on measuring whether that teaching is actually working. It involves the study of psychometrics (the science of testing), data analysis, and the systematic evaluation of educational programs to ensure they meet quality standards and learning objectives.
This degree is ideal for students who have a "mathematical mind" but want to apply their skills to a social cause. It is for the individuals who enjoy looking at patterns in data to discover why certain schools succeed while others struggle, and for those who want to provide the evidence needed to change educational policy for the better.
What Is an Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (Other) Degree?
An Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (Other) degree focuses on the tools and methods used to track student progress and institutional effectiveness. The "Other" designation indicates that these programs often cover specialized or emerging areas, such as the use of artificial intelligence in grading, the evaluation of social-emotional learning, or high-level statistical modeling for global education databases.
Schools offer this degree to:
- Train specialists who can design valid and reliable tests and surveys
- Prepare evaluators to judge the success of government-funded school initiatives
- Develop researchers who can translate complex data into actionable reports for principals and lawmakers
- Advance the field of psychometrics to create fairer assessments for diverse learners
This structure emphasizes objectivity, logic, and the scientific method applied to the classroom.
What Will You Learn?
Students in this program learn how to collect, manage, and interpret the massive amounts of data generated by modern school systems.
Core Skills You’ll Build
Most students learn to:
- Use statistical software (like SPSS, R, or SAS) to analyze student performance
- Design assessment tools that are free from cultural or linguistic bias
- Conduct program evaluations to see if a specific curriculum is worth its cost
- Interpret standardized test results for teachers and parents
- Manage large databases of student and institutional information
- Write technical reports that clearly explain data trends to non-scientists
These skills are essential for the accountability and transparency required in modern education systems.
Topics You May Explore
Depending on the program focus, students may study:
- Quantitative and Qualitative Research Methods
- Psychometric Theory (Validity and Reliability)
- Large-Scale Assessment Design (e.g., State testing or SAT/ACT design)
- Program Evaluation Models and Logic Frameworks
- Data Visualization and Dashboarding
- Ethics in Educational Research and Data Privacy
- Applied Statistics and Linear Modeling
- Assessment of Online and Digital Learning
This coursework turns students into "data detectives" who can find the truth behind educational claims.
What Jobs Can You Get With This Degree?
A degree in Educational Assessment, Evaluation, and Research (Other) leads to high-level analytical roles that are often "behind the scenes" but carry significant influence.
Common job roles include:
- Psychometrician (Testing Specialist)
- Educational Researcher
- Program Evaluator
- Data Analyst for School Districts
- Assessment Coordinator
- Institutional Research Officer (in Higher Education)
- Policy Researcher for Think Tanks
- Product Evaluator for EdTech companies
These roles are crucial for organizations that need to prove their educational impact to donors, taxpayers, or investors.
Where Can You Work?
Graduates are needed anywhere that education and data intersect, including:
- State and Federal Departments of Education
- Large Public School Districts (Central Offices)
- Testing Companies (e.g., ETS, Pearson, College Board)
- Colleges and Universities (Offices of Institutional Effectiveness)
- Educational Non-profits and Foundations
- Private Research Firms and Consultancies
- Educational Technology (EdTech) Startups
- International Organizations like the OECD or UNESCO
These environments value precision and the ability to remain neutral while analyzing sensitive information.
How Much Can You Earn?
Because this field requires specialized technical and mathematical skills, it is often one of the highest-paying areas in education.
- Data Analysts and Program Evaluators typically start between $65,000 and $85,000.
- Psychometricians with a Master's or Ph.D. can earn between $90,000 and $130,000, especially in the private sector.
- Directors of Institutional Research at universities often earn between $100,000 and $150,000.
- Senior Research Scientists at major testing companies can see salaries exceeding $160,000.
The demand for data-driven decision-making ensures that these roles remain highly stable and lucrative.
Is This Degree Hard?
This is considered one of the more challenging education degrees because of the heavy emphasis on math and statistics. Students must be comfortable with formulas, software coding, and logical proofs. However, for those who enjoy puzzles and data, the work is incredibly satisfying.
Success requires an eye for detail and the ability to sit with complex data sets for long periods.
Degree Levels and Learning Formats
Programs are almost exclusively found at the graduate level:
- Master’s degrees (M.S. or M.Ed.) focus on applied evaluation and data analysis for school settings.
- Doctoral degrees (Ph.D.) are standard for those who want to design national tests or lead major research studies.
- Graduate Certificates are available for current educators who want to add data skills to their resume.
Many of these programs are offered online or in hybrid formats, as much of the work is computer-based and can be done remotely.
Who Should Consider This Degree?
This degree may be a good fit if you:
- Love working with numbers and spreadsheets
- Are skeptical of "gut feelings" and prefer evidence-based answers
- Want to work in education but don't want to be in a classroom every day
- Are interested in the science of how we measure intelligence and learning
- Enjoy solving complex organizational problems using logic
- Want a career with high earning potential and job security
It is the perfect path for those who want to be the "brains" behind the scenes of educational improvement.
How to Prepare in High School
Students can prepare for this analytical field by:
- Taking advanced math classes, especially Statistics and Calculus
- Learning basic computer programming or data entry in Excel
- Participating in science fairs or research competitions
- Focusing on strong technical writing to explain data clearly
- Joining a debate or math club to practice logical reasoning
You do not need to be a math genius to start. A curious mind, a love for organization, and an interest in using data to help students are the most important traits for success.
Personality Fit (RIASEC Profile)
Official assessment tool by the U.S. Department of Labor