The bioinformatics program you select can have a big impact on your finances and your future. That is why we built our Best Value Bioinformatics Schools ranking. We score each school on the balance of tuition, student debt, and post-graduation earnings to surface the best value.
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Customizing Your List
Since the program you select can have a significant impact on your future, we offer several rankings, including this Best Value Bioinformatics Schools list, to help you choose. Want schools in a particular part of the country? Narrow the list by region or state.
To further help you make the college decision, we have developed a unique tool called College Combat that lets you compare schools on the factors that matter most to you.
Learn more about our methodology
Below are the schools that deliver the strongest value in bioinformatics, balancing cost against outcomes.
Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus earned the #1 spot for value among bioinformatics schools in the United States. Set in the city of Atlanta, Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $12,058, with out-of-state students paying around $34,484. Students borrow a median of $24,323 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus generally make around $83,560. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Georgia Institute Of Technology Main Campus admits about 14% of applicants.
University Of Illinois At Chicago came in at #2 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Located in the city of Chicago, University Of Illinois At Chicago is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $15,949, with out-of-state students paying around $32,009. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $20,115. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Illinois At Chicago generally make around $61,829. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 77%.
A rank of #3 makes University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill one of the best values for bioinformatics. University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill is a very large public school located in the city of Chapel Hill. In-state tuition and fees average $8,994, compared with $41,203 for out-of-state students. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $15,117 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill generally make around $61,361. That is a strong return on a $15,117 median debt. Roughly 15% of applicants are accepted.
The strong cost-to-outcome balance at University Of California San Diego earned it the #4 place for bioinformatics. Set in the city of La Jolla, University Of California San Diego is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,788, while out-of-state students pay about $47,676. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $19,724 in student loans. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of California San Diego earn a median of $76,592 early in their careers. Set against $19,724 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 27%.
A rank of #5 makes University Of California Irvine one of the best values for bioinformatics. University Of California Irvine is a very large public school located in the city of Irvine. In-state tuition and fees average $14,752, with out-of-state students paying around $46,640. Students borrow a median of $16,539 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of California Irvine earn a median of $50,958 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 29% of applicants are accepted.
University Of South Florida Main Campus earned the #6 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of Tampa, University Of South Florida Main Campus is a very large public institution. In-state tuition and fees average $6,410, while out-of-state students pay about $17,324. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $21,829 in student loans. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $52,885. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 43% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Georgia placed #7 among the best values for bioinformatics. Located in the city of Athens, University Of Georgia is a very large public university. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $11,450, compared with $31,688 for out-of-state students. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $21,792. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $53,546. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 38%.
University Of Missouri Kansas City earned the #8 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Located in the city of Kansas City, University Of Missouri Kansas City is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $13,371, with out-of-state students paying around $32,271. Students borrow a median of $23,741 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $60,324. That is a strong return on a $23,741 median debt. The acceptance rate is 72%.
Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis earned the #9 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of Indianapolis, Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis is a very large public institution. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $10,762, with out-of-state students paying around $34,891. Students borrow a median of $23,146 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $56,930. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 76% of applicants are accepted.
University Of California Los Angeles came in at #10 for value in bioinformatics this year. Located in the city of Los Angeles, University Of California Los Angeles is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $14,233, with out-of-state students paying around $46,121. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $16,097 in student loans. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of California Los Angeles earn a median of $63,833 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 9%.
Arizona State University ranked #11 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Arizona State University is a very large public school located in the city of Tempe. In-state tuition and fees average $12,223, while out-of-state students pay about $33,139. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $21,842. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $88,036. That is a strong return on a $21,842 median debt. Roughly 90% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Michigan Ann Arbor ranked #12 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Set in the city of Ann Arbor, University Of Michigan Ann Arbor is a very large public institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $18,848, with out-of-state students paying around $63,081. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $19,137 in student loans. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of Michigan Ann Arbor earn a median of $71,336 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. Roughly 16% of applicants are accepted.
Cuny New York City College Of Technology ranked #13 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Located in the city of Brooklyn, Cuny New York City College Of Technology is a large public university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,332, with out-of-state students paying around $15,282. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $11,492. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $31,441. Set against $11,492 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Brigham Young University Provo came in at #14 for value in bioinformatics this year. Located in the city of Provo, Brigham Young University Provo is a very large private not-for-profit university. Students from in state pay about $6,688 in tuition and fees. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $12,184 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Brigham Young University Provo generally make around $68,084. That is a strong return on a $12,184 median debt. Roughly 68% of applicants are accepted.
Harvard University ranked #15 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. Located in the city of Cambridge, Harvard University is a very large private not-for-profit university. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $61,676. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $16,616 in student loans. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from Harvard University generally make around $95,207. Set against $16,616 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Harvard University admits about 4% of applicants.
San Diego State University landed the #16 spot for bioinformatics value this year. San Diego State University is a very large public school located in the city of San Diego. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $8,728, while out-of-state students pay about $21,328. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $16,417. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from San Diego State University generally make around $51,162. Set against $16,417 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Roughly 36% of applicants are accepted.
University Of Delaware placed #17 among the best values for bioinformatics. University Of Delaware is a very large public school located in the suburb of Newark. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $16,810, while out-of-state students pay about $41,400. Students borrow a median of $24,861 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Delaware generally make around $54,155. Set against $24,861 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 71%.
University Of North Carolina At Charlotte ranked #18 on our 2026 list of the best value bioinformatics schools. University Of North Carolina At Charlotte is a very large public school located in the city of Charlotte. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $7,239, with out-of-state students paying around $22,492. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $24,673. Bioinformatics graduates of University Of North Carolina At Charlotte earn a median of $51,799 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 80%.
University Of California Santa Cruz came in at #19 for value in bioinformatics this year. University Of California Santa Cruz is a very large public school located in the city of Santa Cruz. Students from in state pay about $15,035 in tuition and fees, with out-of-state students paying around $46,923. Students borrow a median of $18,559 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $40,920. Set against $18,559 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 66%.
University Of Wisconsin Madison landed the #20 spot for bioinformatics value this year. University Of Wisconsin Madison is a very large public school located in the city of Madison. In-state tuition and fees average $11,603, while out-of-state students pay about $42,103. Students borrow a median of $21,813 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $59,877. That is a strong return on a $21,813 median debt. Roughly 45% of applicants are accepted.
The University Of Texas At Dallas placed #21 among the best values for bioinformatics. The University Of Texas At Dallas is a very large public school located in the city of Richardson. The average in-state cost of tuition and fees is $14,644, with out-of-state students paying around $40,144. Bioinformatics graduates carry a median of $20,531 in student loans. Bioinformatics graduates of The University Of Texas At Dallas earn a median of $58,507 early in their careers. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 65%.
Johns Hopkins University earned the #22 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of Baltimore, Johns Hopkins University is a very large private not-for-profit institution. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $64,730. Students borrow a median of $13,426 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $84,850. Set against $13,426 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. Johns Hopkins University admits about 6% of applicants.
University Of Minnesota Twin Cities placed #23 among the best values for bioinformatics. Located in the city of Minneapolis, University Of Minnesota Twin Cities is a very large public university. In-state tuition and fees average $17,214, with out-of-state students paying around $38,362. Students borrow a median of $21,577 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Soon after graduation, bioinformatics degree recipients from University Of Minnesota Twin Cities generally make around $87,769. Set against $21,577 in median debt, that is a healthy payoff. The acceptance rate is 80%.
Grand Valley State University came in at #24 for value in bioinformatics this year. Grand Valley State University is a very large public school located in the town of Allendale. Expect in-state tuition and fees of around $15,502, while out-of-state students pay about $21,894. Typical student debt for bioinformatics graduates is $26,378. Bioinformatics graduates of Grand Valley State University earn a median of $74,986 early in their careers. That is a strong return on a $26,378 median debt. Roughly 83% of applicants are accepted.
Vanderbilt University earned the #25 position for value in bioinformatics this year. Set in the city of Nashville, Vanderbilt University is a large private not-for-profit institution. Students from in state pay about $67,498 in tuition and fees. Students borrow a median of $13,975 to complete the bioinformatics program here. Early-career bioinformatics graduates make about $77,997. Weighed against typical debt, the earnings make a compelling case for value. The acceptance rate is 6%.
These schools also delivered strong value for bioinformatics this year:
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Notes and References
The ranking above is published by College Factual (MF_RANKING_2025), 2026 edition. The methodology weighs the cost of a degree against the earnings graduates go on to achieve, drawn primarily from the U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS and College Scorecard).
Ranking method: College Major Best Value · 131 schools evaluated.
*Averages shown above reflect the top 33 ranked schools only.
- The Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System (IPEDS) from the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES), a branch of the U.S. Department of Education (DOE), serves as the core of our data about colleges.
- Some other college data, including much of the graduate earnings data, comes from the U.S. Department of Education’s (College Scorecard).
More about our data sources and methodologies.
[Bioinformatics](/majors/biological-biomedical-sciences/biomathematics-bioinformatics-computational-biology/bioinformatics/) degree programs vary widely in price and payoff across the country. A high-value program keeps cost low while graduates go on to earn well.
