Research Analyst Jobs in Illinois
Research Analyst jobs in Illinois are in strong demand, with active hiring across financial services, healthcare, consulting, and market research firms at levels from entry-level to senior analyst. Chicago anchors the market as one of the most competitive hiring metros in the Midwest, with additional openings in Naperville and Schaumburg, where corporate headquarters cluster along the I-88 corridor. Major employers with a lasting Illinois presence include Morningstar, Dun & Bradstreet, and Northwestern Mutual, with particularly consistent openings in investment research, healthcare outcomes analysis, and consumer insights. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Institutional Research Analyst
Hiring Department: Office of Institutional Research
Location: Chicago, IL USA
Requisition ID: 1043409
Salary: The budgeted salary range for this position is $65,000-$75,000. Final salary offered will be determined by a thorough assessment of available market data, internal salary equity, candidate experience and qualifications, and budget constraints
About the University of Illinois Chicago
UIC is among the nation’s preeminent urban public research universities, a Carnegie RU/VH research institution, and the largest university in Chicago. UIC serves over 34,000 students, comprising one of the most diverse student bodies in the nation and is designated as a Minority Serving Institution (MSI), an Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander Serving Institution (AANAPSI) and a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). Through its 16 colleges, UIC produces nationally and internationally recognized multidisciplinary academic programs in concert with civic, corporate and community partners worldwide, including a full complement of health sciences colleges. By emphasizing cutting-edge and transformational research along with a commitment to the success of all students, UIC embodies the dynamic, vibrant and engaged urban university. Recent “Best Colleges” rankings published by U.S. News & World Report, found UIC climbed up in its rankings among top public schools in the nation and among all national universities. UIC has over 300,000 alumni, and is one of the largest employers in the city of Chicago.
This position is intended to be eligible for benefits. This includes Health, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, a Retirement Plan, Paid time Off, and Tuition waivers for employees and dependents.
Position Summary
This position performs and coordinates campus-level research in the areas of institutional effectiveness and strategic planning. The incumbent develops, conducts research and analyze data for decision making and policy implementation in areas including (but not limited to) student retention/attrition, student goal attainment, financial aid optimization analysis, enrollment management, modeling and financial forecasting, resource utilization, institutional costs and productivity, access and equity studies, and functional benchmarking specific to higher education.
Duties & Responsibilities
- Research Design
- Conduct evidence-based best practice research and perform measurement studies to determine or change policies, curricula, and or student support services.
- Design effective research strategies and gather relevant information using primary and secondary sources and techniques (e.g., institutional ERPs, on-line databases, the Internet, print sources, government agencies, external research organizations, etc.).
- Organize and execute research projects, identifying ways to improve research design and data validity.
- Develop and carryout sound research method to investigate institutional effectiveness. Select and adapt quantitative methods, practices, and theories to perform forecasting and analysis, interpret results, and document findings.
- Increase the quantity and quality of analytical products needed to support the evaluation and adoption of various institutional policies.
- Data Analysis and Reporting
- Identify and analyze patterns in institutional data, make critical observations of policy impact, and recommend strategies and actions.
- Develop analytical models, identify trends and fluctuations, evaluate limitations of data, and specify the range of results needed for financial management planning, budgeting, and resource decisions.
- Perform other related duties and participates in special projects as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in statistics, psychology, education, or other related discipline.
- Possess two years' experience conducting education or social science research in a higher education setting using data analysis, research methods, and statistics.
- Demonstrated ability to: interact with multiple constituents and articulate complex, multifaceted issues contributing to institutional effectiveness; Proficiency with SPSS or SAS and database query reporting tools.
- Experience in institutional research methodology, needs assessment, strategic planning, data collection and quantitative analysis is essential to manipulating and analyzing large data sets in support of institutional research, assessment, and planning.
Preferred Qualifications
- Master's degree in statistics, psychology, education or other related discipline.
- Experience in institutional research at a large public research university.
This position is not eligible for employment visa sponsorship. Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.
The University of Illinois may conduct background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer. Background checks will be performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.
The University of Illinois System requires candidates selected for hire to disclose any documented finding of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment and to authorize inquiries to current and former employers regarding findings of sexual misconduct or sexual harassment. For more information, visit https://www.hr.uillinois.edu/cms/One.aspx?portalId=4292&pageId=1411899
The University of Illinois System is an equal opportunity employer, including but not limited to disability and/or veteran status, and complies with all applicable state and federal employment mandates. Please visit Required Employment Notices and Posters to view our non-discrimination statement and find additional information about required background checks, sexual harassment/misconduct disclosures, and employment eligibility review through E-Verify.
The university provides accommodations to applicants and employees. Request an Accommodation
Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools may be used in some portions of the candidate review process for this position, however, all employment decisions will be made by a person.
See All 31 Research Analyst Jobs in Illinois
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Find Research Analyst JobsResearch Analyst Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Analyst Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Investment & Asset Management
- Education
- Government & Public Sector
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research analyst jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, finance, or a related quantitative field required
- Proficiency in Excel, SQL, or Python for data collection and analysis
- Experience designing surveys or synthesizing primary and secondary research sources
- Strong written communication skills for presenting findings to internal stakeholders
- Familiarity with industry-specific data platforms such as Bloomberg, Tableau, or SPSS
- Ability to manage multiple projects and meet deadlines in a fast-paced environment
Research Analyst Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research analyst in Illinois?
Research analyst roles in Illinois do not require a state-issued license, so the path runs through education and demonstrated skills. Most Illinois employers expect a bachelor's degree in economics, statistics, finance, business, or a related field. Candidates who add a Chartered Financial Analyst credential or a Graduate Certificate in Data Analytics from an Illinois university, such as the University of Illinois or DePaul, stand out in competitive Chicago-area hiring pools.
How much do research analysts make in Illinois?
Research analysts in Illinois earn a median of about $81,180 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $50,240 for the lowest 10% to over $147,230 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire research analysts in Illinois?
Employers hiring research analysts in Illinois right now include The University of Chicago, University of Illinois, and AEGON, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Illinois's concentration of financial services firms, healthcare systems, and global consulting offices means research analyst demand stays consistent throughout the year across both corporate and agency settings.
Which Illinois cities have the most research analyst jobs?
The cities with the most research analyst openings in Illinois are Chicago, Urbana, and Scott AFB. Chicago drives the majority of postings because of its dense cluster of financial services firms, management consultancies, and hospital systems, while suburban markets like Naperville and Schaumburg attract openings tied to the large corporate headquarters located along the I-88 technology and business corridor west of the city.
Are there remote research analyst jobs in Illinois?
Yes, and more than most fields. Research analyst work is largely desk-based and output-driven, which makes it well suited to remote arrangements. About 69% of research analyst openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting how broadly employers have accepted flexible arrangements for this role. Secondary data analysis, report writing, and modeling tasks are the functions most commonly performed fully remote.
How can I get hired as a research analyst in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research internship or junior analyst role at a Chicago-area firm, which major Illinois employers including Morningstar and Dun & Bradstreet run specifically for recent graduates. Candidates transitioning from adjacent roles such as data entry specialist, market research assistant, or business intelligence coordinator often move into analyst positions with targeted upskilling. Building a portfolio of independent analysis projects and earning an entry-level data certification from an Illinois community college or continuing education program gives candidates a concrete edge when competing for their first role.
Where can I find and apply to research analyst jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to research analyst jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
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