by our College Data Analytics TeamIn the latest year, 101 U.S. colleges awarded 1,616 degrees and certificates in Bioinformatics. Master’s degrees are the most popular award, at 64% of graduates. College Factual ranks 41 schools in its 2027 Best Bioinformatics Schools ranking and compares their cost in a Best Value ranking. Graduates earn a median $82,809 one year after completing, rising to $114,155 after four years.
A major in Bioinformatics involves the study of Bioinformatics. A Program That Focuses On The Application Of Computer-Based Technologies And Services To Biological, Biomedical, And Biotechnology Research. Includes Instruction In Algorithms, Network Architecture, Principles Of Software Design, Human Interface Design, Usability Studies, Search Strategies, Database Management And Data Mining, Digital Image Processing, Computer Graphics And Animation, Cad, Computer Programming, And Applications To Experimental Design And Analysis And To Specific Quantitative, Modeling, And Analytical Studies In The Various Biological Specializations.
Source: IPEDS 2025; College Scorecard July 2026; BLS; O*NET; College Factual rankings 2027. Data as of: July 2026.
In the U.S., bioinformatics draws strong interest, with 1,616 degrees awarded annually. 101 colleges award bioinformatics degrees, an average of 16 graduates per school; the largest program awarded 132.
By level, the 1,616 awards include 1 associate degrees, 397 bachelor’s degrees, 1,038 master’s degrees and 180 doctorates.
Women earned 55% of bioinformatics degrees and certificates in the latest year (896 of 1,616). The largest groups of graduates by race and ethnicity are White (485) and Asian (348), and international students earned 498.
College Factual ranks 41 schools in its 2027 Best Bioinformatics Schools ranking, including 12 for bachelor’s degrees, 30 for master’s degrees and 8 for doctorates. It also ranks bioinformatics schools within 15 states. In all, 101 colleges offer bioinformatics programs; compare them by degree level below or in the Best Value Bioinformatics Colleges ranking, which weighs quality against cost.
The most common bioinformatics credential is the master’s degree: 1,038 of the 1,616 awarded in the latest year. Jobs related to bioinformatics call most for Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking and Active Listening, and for knowledge of Computers and Electronics, English Language and Customer and Personal Service, according to O*NET. The most important abilities are Oral Comprehension, Written Comprehension and Oral Expression.
Top skills, rated 0–5:
Top knowledge areas, rated 0–5:
How long a bioinformatics degree takes:
| Degree | Typical Program Length | Graduates Annually |
|---|---|---|
| Associate Degree | 2 years | 1 |
| Bachelor’s Degree | 4 years | 397 |
| Master’s Degree | 1-3 years | 1,038 |
| Doctorate | At least 4 years | 180 |
Bachelor’s degree is the most common level of education among workers in jobs related to bioinformatics, at 50.4%.
| Level of Education | Percentage of Workers |
|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree | 50.4% |
| Associate’s degree (or other 2-year) | 13.5% |
| Postsecondary certificate | 11.0% |
| Master’s degree | 9.4% |
| Post-baccalaureate certificate | 5.6% |
| Some college courses | 4.7% |
| High school diploma or equivalent | 2.0% |
| Post-master’s certificate | 1.5% |
| Less than a high school diploma | 0.8% |
| Doctoral degree | 0.8% |
| Post-doctoral training | 0.2% |
| First professional degree | 0.1% |
Source: O*NET Online.
15 occupations are related to Bioinformatics, with an average median salary of $113,888; the strongest outlook belongs to Biological Technicians, at 12.8% projected job growth. Typical job titles include Systems Engineer, Security Engineer, IT Architect (Information Technology Architect) and Cloud Engineer.
The occupation related to bioinformatics with the most projected jobs is Business Intelligence Analysts, at 585,851.
| Occupation | Projected Jobs | Expected Growth |
|---|---|---|
| Business Intelligence Analysts | 585,851 | 1.3% |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | 576,059 | -1.9% |
| Information Security Engineers | 575,902 | -3.8% |
| Blockchain Engineers | 556,747 | 5.1% |
| Information Technology Project Managers | 543,383 | -3.4% |
| Geographic Information Systems Technologists and Technicians | 530,023 | -1.9% |
| Web Administrators | 510,685 | 0.7% |
| Data Scientists | 507,848 | 8.1% |
Bioinformatics graduates earn a median $82,809 one year after completing their program, $114,155 after four years and $123,442 after five years, according to the U.S. Department of Education’s College Scorecard.
| Years Out | Median Earnings |
|---|---|
| 1 year | $82,809 |
| 4 years | $114,155 |
| 5 years | $123,442 |
Source: College Scorecard.
The highest-paying occupation related to bioinformatics is Computer Occupations, All Other, with a median salary of $159,837.
| Occupation | Median Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| Computer Occupations, All Other | $159,837 |
| Document Management Specialists | $147,490 |
| Business Intelligence Analysts | $143,840 |
| Information Security Engineers | $142,543 |
| Computer Systems Engineers/Architects | $140,795 |
| Information Technology Project Managers | $124,655 |
| Blockchain Engineers | $123,667 |
| Digital Forensics Analysts | $119,226 |
Bioinformatics has 4 similar majors in the Biological & Biomedical Sciences field, which together award 2,612 degrees a year; the largest are Biostatistics (1,682), Computational Biology (407) and Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other (312). Browse all Biological & Biomedical Sciences majors or the full list of college majors.
| Related Major | Annual Graduates |
|---|---|
| Biostatistics | 1,682 |
| Computational Biology | 407 |
| Biomathematics, Bioinformatics, and Computational Biology, Other | 312 |
| Biometry/Biometrics | 211 |
More about our data sources and methodologies.
