Data Analysis, Education - Data Analyst, Education -Washington, DC

Paychex Inc.; Washington (District of Columbia); Hybrid; USD 60,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

U.S. News & World Report in Washington, DC seeks a Data Analyst on the Education team to safeguard data integrity and transform raw data into actionable insights that drive ranking methodologies.

You will collaborate across technical, product, and editorial teams, automate data workflows, audit code and outputs, and contribute to transparent, defensible rankings used by millions of students and families.

Qualifications

• Three years of professional experience using statistical programming to ingest, merge, clean, validate, and analyze large datasets.
• Experience using version-control systems such as Git and ticket-management systems to document and track work.
• Demonstrated ability to identify anomalies, validate analytical outputs, document work, and maintain accuracy across complex processes.
• Bachelor’s degree with coursework in a quantitative field (e.g., statistics, economics, data science).

Responsibilities

• Data Architecture & Logic: Develop, refine, and execute code to process complex datasets for education rankings.
• Process Optimization & Automation: Streamline data workflows and automate survey universe creation and ranking calculations.
• Quality Assurance: Audit peer-developed code, data inputs and outputs for accuracy.
• Anomaly Detection & Validation: Improve methods to detect outliers and unusual model behavior.
• Collaborative Problem Solving: Partner with technical, product and editorial teams on rankings presentation.

Skills

Analytical Rigor

Effective Communication

Commitment to Excellence

An Interest in Innovation

Education

Bachelor’s degree with coursework in a quantitative field

Tools

Stata

Python

Job description

U.S. News & World Report is a multifaceted digital media company dedicated to helping citizens, consumers, business leaders and policy officials make important decisions in their lives. We publish independent reporting, rankings, data journalism and advice that has earned the trust of our readers and users for 90 years. Our platforms on usnews.com include Education, Health, Money, Travel, Cars, News, Real Estate, Careers and Insurance.

We reach millions of people monthly during moments when they are most in need of expert advice and motivated to act on that advice directly on our platforms. Our signature franchises include our “Best” series of consumer guides on colleges, graduate schools, hospitals, diets, cars, financial services and more. These guides provide an easy-to-digest list for consumers to better understand and compare when making their decisions. We continue to publish annual guides of the authoritative Best Colleges and Best Hospitals rankings on our website and in print. And our U.S. News Live flagship conferences highlight important national conversations such as Healthcare of Tomorrow and the the U.S. News Future of Higher Education Forum

We believe in having a broad range of talent and backgrounds at U.S. News. We strive to maintain a welcoming and inclusive workplace where everyone is given an opportunity to succeed and contribute to their fullest.

Your Role in Helping Us Shape the Future

As a Data Analyst on our Education team, you will be a guardian of the data integrity that defines our world-renowned rankings. You will work within a specialized, collaborative team to transform raw data into the insights that help millions of students and families make informed life decisions.

Your contributions will follow the academic data cycle:

Data Architecture & Logic: You will spend significant time developing, refining, and executing code to process complex datasets for our signature education rankings. You will eventually contribute to ongoing refinement and validation of ranking methodologies to ensure analytical defensibility and consistency year over year.

Process Optimization & Automation: You will contribute to ongoing efforts to streamline data workflows, including automation of survey universe creation and improvements to production efficiency across ranking calculations and outputs.

Quality Assurance: You will perform rigorous audits of peer-developed code, data inputs and programming outputs, ensuring every data point meets our standards for accuracy.

Anomaly Detection & Validation: You will help enhance processes for identifying outliers, structural shifts, and unexpected model behavior, including exploring automated and AI-assisted methods for anomaly detection and validation.

Collaborative Problem Solving: You will partner with our technical, product and editorial teams to assist with website and guidebook presentation of school rankings and data, methodologies, and editorial content.

Are You Up to the Challenge?

We are seeking a meticulous analyst who brings both technical proficiency and an evaluative mindset to our education research. To excel in this role, you should possess:

• Analytical Rigor: A keen eye for detail and the ability to maintain high levels of accuracy while managing large, complex datasets.
• Effective Communication: The skill to translate technical data findings into clear, actionable insights for non-technical stakeholders.
• A Commitment to Excellence: A proactive approach to identifying data inconsistencies and a dedication to the prestige of the U.S. News brand.
• An Interest in Innovation: Valuing the opportunity to contribute to the development and evolution of ranking methodologies.

Position Requirements

You should definitely have:

• Statistical Programming: At least three years of professional experience using statistical programming to ingest, merge, clean, validate, and analyze large datasets..
• Version Control: Experience using version-control systems such as Git and using ticket-management systems to document and track work.
• Data Quality: Demonstrated ability to identify anomalies, validate analytical outputs, document work, and maintain accuracy across complex processes.
• Educational Background: A bachelor’s degree with coursework in a quantitative field (e.g., statistical economics, data science, or a related social science).

It would be nice if you had:

• Experience with Stata is preferred. Much of our existing codebase is written in Stata,, so the successful applicant should be comfortable learning or working in Stata.
• Technical Versatility: Familiarity with additional analytical tools or data visualization platforms is helpful. Experience with Python and AI-assisted tools to support data analysis, coding or quality assurance is a plus.
• Domain Expertise: Professional or academic experience in K-12 or Higher Education data is helpful but not required.

What it’s like to work with us:

• Entrepreneurial, mission-driven culture with core values of quality and integrity
• Focus on fostering personal and professional growth
• Competitive benefits including paid vacation time, medical, tuition reimbursement, and training
• Collaborative Work Environment ~ Fun, diverse, inclusive and ambitious co-workers

Other Job Info:

• These statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this job. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of employees assigned to this job.
• U.S. News & World Report strongly encourages all employees to be fully vaccinated (including boosters).
• Washington, DC based applicants only to work a hybrid schedule - 2 days per week in the office. Remote applicants will not be considered.
• The anticipated base salary for this position is $60,000 to $75,000. The actual base salary offered will depend on a variety of factors, including without limitation, the qualifications of the individual applicant for the position, years of relevant experience, level of education attained, certifications or other professional licenses held, interview performance, and if applicable, the location in which the applicant lives and/or from which they will be performing the job.