Higher Education Research Specialist

We are looking for an experienced freelance researcher to support ongoing research projects within the higher education industry. This role is ideal for someone who knows how to go beyond basic online research. We need someone who can investigate colleges and career schools, gather accurate information, communicate professionally by phone and email, and organize findings into clear, useful reports. Projects may include researching tuition and total program costs, reviewing program offerings, comparing schools, evaluating admissions processes, and confirming information directly with institutions. Some assignments will have quick turnaround times when a new school or program enters a market. This is not a full-time position. We are looking for a reliable research partner who can learn our process and support us as projects come up. What You’ll Work On + Researching colleges, universities, and career schools + Gathering tuition, fees, materials, and total program costs + Conducting online, email, and phone-based research + Communicating with school representatives to confirm information + Comparing programs, schedules, admissions requirements, and student experiences + Reviewing school websites, catalogs, disclosures, and other public sources + Organizing findings in spreadsheets and written summaries + Identifying gaps, inconsistencies, and important differences between schools + Supporting urgent research requests when new schools or programs enter a market + Updating existing research as pricing and programs change What We’re Looking For + Experience in higher education, market research, competitive intelligence, or a related field + Strong understanding of the higher education industry + Experience researching colleges, career schools, or education programs + Comfortable conducting professional phone-based research + Strong communication and note-taking skills + Excellent online research and fact-checking abilities + Advanced Excel or Google Sheets skills + Ability to compare detailed pricing and program information accurately + Strong organization and attention to detail + Ability to separate confirmed facts from estimates or assumptions + Clear written communication + Reliable availability for occasional rush projects + Ability to handle sensitive research information privately Experience working in higher education admissions, enrollment, marketing, or research would be a major plus. This Role Is a Good Fit If You + Enjoy digging for information that is not easy to find + Know how to ask specific follow-up questions when an answer is unclear + Are comfortable making professional research calls + Can spot when pricing or program information does not add up + Understand the difference between tuition and the true total cost of a program + Can turn a large amount of information into a clear comparison + Work independently and meet deadlines without constant follow-up + Are interested in building an ongoing freelance relationship How to Apply Please include: + A short overview of your research experience + Any experience you have working in higher education + An example of a project that required gathering information from several sources + Your experience conducting phone-based research + Your experience with Excel or Google Sheets + Your hourly rate and general weekly availability + Your availability for occasional projects with short turnaround times