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Institutional Research Data Analyst Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Institutional Research Data Analyst information

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$38.5K

$74K

$99.5K

How much do institutional research data analyst jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 8, 2026, the average yearly pay for institutional research data analyst in the United States is $73,965.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $57,000.00 and $98,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does an Institutional Research Data Analyst do?

An Institutional Research Data Analyst is responsible for collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data to support decision-making at educational institutions, such as colleges and universities. They help inform policy, strategic planning, and accreditation processes by providing accurate and actionable reports on student enrollment, retention, outcomes, and other institutional metrics. Their work ensures that the institution meets regulatory requirements and improves its educational effectiveness. Analysts often collaborate with faculty, administrators, and external agencies to provide data-driven insights for continuous improvement.

What are the main challenges faced by Institutional Research Data Analysts when managing institutional data requests?

Institutional Research Data Analysts often face the challenge of balancing multiple data requests from various departments, each with different priorities and timelines. Ensuring data accuracy and consistency across reports is critical, especially when dealing with sensitive information like enrollment, retention, and student success metrics. Analysts must also navigate evolving data privacy regulations and implement best practices for secure data handling. Effective communication and collaboration with stakeholders are essential to clarify data needs and deliver actionable insights.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Institutional Research Data Analyst, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Institutional Research Data Analyst, you need strong analytical skills, a background in statistics or social sciences, and experience with data management, often supported by a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a related field. Proficiency with statistical analysis software (such as SPSS, SAS, or R), database systems (like SQL), and data visualization tools (such as Tableau or Power BI) is typically required. Exceptional attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication skills set top performers apart by enabling them to interpret and relay complex data insights clearly. These skills are crucial for providing accurate, actionable information that supports institutional decision-making and continuous improvement.

What is the difference between Institutional Research Data Analyst vs Data Analyst?

AspectInstitutional Research Data AnalystData Analyst
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in research, education, or related field; familiarity with data analysis toolsBachelor's degree in data science, statistics, or related field; proficiency in data tools
Work EnvironmentEducational institutions, focusing on institutional data and reportingVarious industries, including finance, healthcare, tech, analyzing diverse datasets
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily in higher education and research institutionsAcross multiple sectors including corporate, government, and non-profit

Institutional Research Data Analysts focus on analyzing data related to educational institutions, often working with institutional metrics and compliance reporting. Data Analysts have a broader scope, working across industries to interpret data for decision-making, requiring similar skills but often with more diverse datasets and tools.

More about Institutional Research Data Analyst jobs
What cities are hiring for Institutional Research Data Analyst jobs? Cities with the most Institutional Research Data Analyst job openings:
What states have the most Institutional Research Data Analyst jobs? States with the most job openings for Institutional Research Data Analyst jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Institutional Research Data Analyst jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Institutional Research Data Analyst jobs are:
Infographic showing various Institutional Research Data Analyst job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 98% Full Time, and 1% Part Time. Highlights an 88% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,965 per year, or $35.6 per hour.
Institutional Research Data Analyst

Institutional Research Data Analyst

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC)

Benton, AR • On-site

$48K/yr

Full-time

Posted 6 days ago


Job description

NorthWest Arkansas Community College (NWACC) provides quality and affordable higher education to empower lives and strengthen communities within Northwest Arkansas and surrounding areas.
As the largest community college in Arkansas, NWACC is recognized as a leader in education. NWACC offers a full range of associate degrees, certificates and workforce training programs that prepare students for rewarding futures and careers.
NWACC employees are dedicated to fostering a diverse educational community and cultural learning environment that supports student success.
Reporting to the Director of Institutional Research (IR), the Data Analyst performs data extraction, analysis, and reporting to support institutional research activities. This position is responsible for querying institutional data systems, integrating data from multiple sources, and producing accurate tables, datasets, and summaries to support decision-making across the institution.
Essential Duties:
  • Independently extract, clean, and analyze data from multiple institutional systems (e.g., Workday, Modern Campus, ADHE AHEIS) to produce accurate and consistent datasets
  • Conduct data validation and quality checks to ensure accuracy, consistency, and reliability of outputs
  • Apply quantitative methods (e.g., frequency, mean, median, mode, distributions, and trend comparisons) to summarize, interpret, and report data
  • Develop tables, charts, and summary outputs using Excel and data visualization tools
  • Support the development of recurring and ad hoc reports, including internal, state, and federal reporting requirements
  • Independently complete moderate-level analytical requests and contribute to more complex analyses with guidance
  • Maintain organized and reproducible documentation of data sources, queries, and analytical methods
  • Contribute to improving data processes, reporting workflows, and documentation standards
  • Maintenance and updating degree audit software and other assessment software for the college.
  • Communicating degree plan updates to Student Records, Advising and other stakeholders.
  • Maintain confidentiality and adhere to data governance and compliance requirements
  • Additional duties may be assigned as necessary to support the goals and objectives of the department and college

Rate of Pay: $48,671 annualized *Higher compensation may be considered based on qualifications directly related to position
Completed applications received by 6/17/2026 will be assured full consideration. Late Applications will be reviewed as necessary to fill the position
This is a 100% in person position, No remote options.
Skills Assessment:
Finalist candidates will complete a 90-minute, job-related skills assessment using realistic NWACC-style datasets (e.g., Excel/CSV files). Candidates will be asked to integrate the data, answer key questions, and produce a concise report that demonstrates their ability to analyze, visualize, and clearly communicate findings, including effective use of analytical tools.
Minimum Qualifications:
  • Associate degree (AA/AS), or equivalent course work as documented in academic transcript, in data science, analytics, mathematics, information systems, or a related field, and relevant professional experience
  • Demonstrated experience using SQL and Power BI for data extraction, transformation, and reporting

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Bachelor's degree in data science, analytics, mathematics, information systems, or a related field
  • Experience in advanced data visualization and dashboard development
  • Experience developing automated reporting workflows or data pipelines using SQL and Power BI
  • Experience working with higher education data systems or reporting environments

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Proficiency in Microsoft Excel functions including Power Pivot, Dax, Power Query
  • Proficiency in SQL and Power BI for data extraction, transformation, and reporting
  • Ability to extract, clean, validate, and integrate data from multiple sources into accurate and reliable datasets
  • Understanding of statistical concepts, including mean, median, mode, frequency, distributions, variability, and trend analysis
  • Ability to create clear tables and effective data visualizations (charts, graphs)
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy
  • Ability to follow defined processes and maintain clear documentation
  • Ability to manage multiple tasks, prioritize work, and meet deadlines
  • Strong problem-solving and analytical thinking skills
  • Ability to communicate findings clearly to internal stakeholders
  • Experience using AI-assisted tools to support data analysis, coding, and workflow efficiency

Physical Demands/Work Environment:
The following physical activities described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions and expectations.
While performing the functions of this job, the employee is:
Frequently:
• Manipulate items with fingers, including keyboarding
• Sitting
• Standing
• Walking
Constantly:
• Hearing
• Repetitive motion
• Talking
The worker is required to have close visual acuity to perform an activity such as: preparing and analyzing data and figures; transcribing; viewing a computer terminal; extensive reading; and/or visual inspection at distances close to the eyes.
Environmental Conditions:
The following work environment characteristics are representative of those encountered by employees while performing the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform these functions.
The work environment typically consists of a professional office setting with a moderate noise level, including sounds from conversations, office equipment, and occasional movement of staff. Lighting is standard for office spaces, and the temperature is controlled to remain within a comfortable range. Employees may occasionally need to visit other areas, such as storage rooms, conference spaces, or outdoor locations, where environmental conditions may vary. Infrequently, exposure to louder noise levels or physical activities, such as moving lightweight materials, might be required.
NWACC is an Equal Opportunity Employer, please see our EEO policy.